Budgerigar

Image from: John Gould (1804-81) The birds of Australia 1840-48. 7 vols. 600 plates Artists: J. Gould and E. Gould; Lithographer: E. Gould.

Budgerigar. Photo: AD Trounson/Nature Focus © Australian Museum

Melopsittacus undulatus

Description

Since its introduction into captivity, the Budgerigar (or "budgie") has been bred into a variety of colour forms, including pure white, blue, yellow, mauve, olive and grey. In the wild, the Budgerigar is green and yellow, with black barring above, and a small patch of blue on its cheek. The male has a dark blue cere (skin at the base of the upper mandible surrounding the nostrils). In the female this is brownish when breeding and light blue otherwise.

Young Budgerigars are similar to the adult birds, but are duller and have a dark brown eye (which is white or yellow in adults).

Budgerigars are a small parrot, measuring just 18 cm. They form large flocks, numbering occasionally in the tens of thousands, after a season of abundant rainfall and food. Flocks are usually much smaller, however, and range from as few as three birds up to 100 or more. Birds in a flock fly in a characteristic undulating manner. The contact call is a warbling "chirrup"; "zit" is given in alarm.

Distribution and Habitat

The Budgerigar occurs naturally throughout much of mainland Australia, but is absent from the far south-west, the north of the Northern Territory, Tasmania and the majority of the east coast. It is nomadic and large flocks of birds can be seen in most open habitat types, but seldom far from water.

Food and feeding

Budgerigars feed almost exclusively on the seeds of native herbs and grasses, such as porcupine grass and saltbush. Seeds are mostly eaten from the ground and the bulk of drinking and feeding activity is in the morning.

Budgerigar egg © Australian Museum

Breeding

Budgerigars tend to breed in response to rainfall, therefore they may breed at any time of year and may produce several broods if conditions permit. The nest is a bare cavity in a suitable tree branch or in the trunk. The female sits on the six to eight round white eggs, but both adults care for the young birds. As with other parrots, young budgerigars are born naked and helpless. The chicks leave the nest after about 35 days.

References

• Crome, F. and Shields, J. 1992. Parrots & Pigeons of Australia. Angus and Robertson and the National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife, Sydney.