In the Wild
Lifespan
Sexing
First a word on definitions: Budgie is the correct term to use when referring to (M.
undultatus). Though they are parakeets, a parakeet is any small parrot with a long tail.
This includes cockatiels, kakarikis, all the birds in the genus Psittcula, most of the
parrots in Australia, and many more. But there is only one budgie. Two more terms you'll
often hear in reference to budgies are "American" and "English." These are not seperate species,
just different breeds (Like dogs are all one species but there are many different breeds. The
same goes for cats, chickens, and canaries.). Budgies are have the distinction of being the
only psittacine with different breeds. English budgies are bred for show. They are large- about
three times the size of an American. Americans are your typical pet shop budgie. All mine are
American. I breed for color.
Budgies are native to the deserts of Australia. This means two things:
In the desert rain is scarce; birds who live there have to be able to nest and raise young
very quickly whenever food becomes available. This ability to breed constantly has made budgies
the most common pet bird in America and led to the establisment of hundreds of designer colors.
Noise
Male budgies chatter almost constantly and this is a good indication of a happy bird. Females
don't make much noise. Budgies are one of the top ten talking birds but none of mine have ever
said a word.
They can live 10-15 years, sometimes more. Unfortunately, most don't make it past 5. Many
people see them as cheap, disposable pets and don't take proper care of them. Most succumb to
malnutrition, cats, windows, etc. before they can live very long. Others get tumors (see
Weaknesses).
Budgies are very easy to sex, both visually and by behavior. As I stated above, males chatter
more than hens. Males will often show off and chatter endlessly when presented with a mirror but
so will some females kept singly. To sex visually you have to look at the
cere. Adult males have a bright blue cere (unless they are a color that contains
no black pigment, such as albino or lutino) and females have a crusty brown cere when in breeding
condition (all colors). Hens may also have tan or white ceres.
Weaknesses
Budgies are tumor factories. If you take good care of your budgie and suddenly something is
wrong with it (paralysis, blindness, etc.) a tumor is a good assumption (of course that doesn't
mean you don't have to go to the vet). Tumors are usually seen in birds over 3 years of age.
I've had three cases myself: Moonbeam, age 4, tumor pinched optic nerve and caused blindness;
Arnold, age 5, tumor the size of my thumb on his abdomen caused him to stop breeding; Sweatpea,
age 4-5, tumor on kidney pressed against spinal cord causing sudden paralysis, looked similar
to egg-binding. Psittacosis is also seen frequently in budgies, but this maybe just because
they are the most common pet birds.
Husbandry
Budgies are very active and deserve as big a cage as possible. Also, if you plan on owning a
single budgie make sure you pay a lot of attention to it. If you can't please get a second
bird to keep it company. Budgies are very social and need other budgies to talk to.
Breeding
Just add a nestbox. Actually you should be more worried about getting them to stop breeding.
Usually removing the box after 2-3 clutches will get them to stop, though some hens will continue
to lay in their feed dish. Budgies are also prone to all kinds of nitpicky
problems when bred communally. Baby budgies usually have stripes all the way down to their
cere and a bit of black on their beak.
Diet
Regular psittacine diet. Budgies particularly love green foods like parsely,
carrot tops and lettuce. Unfortunately I don't know anyone that has managed to convert a budgie
to pellets.
Personality/Behavior
Budgies aren't very pettable but they make great pets. I started out with one budgie and she's
what got me hooked on birds in the first place. They're very active and sociable which makes them
fun to watch, especially if you have an aviary full of them.
© 1999 Feisty Feathers