Budgerigar

The Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus, or "Budgie"), is a small parrot (they are often called parakeets but "parakeet" refers to many small parrots with long flat tails) originating in Australia, where it occurs throughout the drier parts of the continent. It is 18 cm long and 30-40 gram weight, and has a green body, blue tail, and yellow face; the wings have greenish-black flight feathers and black coverts with yellow fringes, this black-and-yellow feathering also on the upper mantle and nape. The legs are pink or grey, with zygodactyl toes. The bill is pinkish-brown with a basal cere bluish in adult males, pinkish-brown in females and immatures. Although in pied, lutinos, albinoes, and other red eye budgies the rules don't stick so well. It is the only species in the genus Melopsittacus.

Related Topics:
Parrot - Parakeets - Australia - Zygodactyl - Cere

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It occurs in a variety of open habitats, primarily in scrub, open woodland and grassland. Breeding can be at any time of the year following good rains which promote the growth of the grass and other plant seeds that comprise their diet. The nest is in a hole in a tree; the 4-7 eggs are incubated for 18 days, with the young fledging about 30 days after hatching. Outside of breeding, Budgerigars are highly nomadic, covering extensive areas in small to very large flocks, seeking areas with good food resources. The nomadism also includes an element of migratory behaviour, with the far north of the range occupied in winter (June-September), and the far south in summer (September-January). Populations in some areas have increased as a result of increased water availability at farm livestock watering facilities.

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The word budgerigar comes from the Kamilaroi Aboriginal Australian name for the species, gijirrigaa. An urban legend claims the name means "good food" or "good to eat".

Related Topics:
Kamilaroi - Aboriginal Australian - Urban legend

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