Budgerigar

Images ©:
©Bob Winters

Melopsittacus undulatus

Small parrot, up to 15 cm. In captivity, they are pure white, blue, yellow, mauve, olive and grey. In the wild, they are green and yellow. Black barring above. Small patch of blue on the cheek. The female is brownish when breeding and light blue otherwise.

Details
Type
Bird
Group
Animals
Parrot
Other Common Names
Budgie
Biology

Breeding season: any time of the year, in response to rainfall. Clutch size is six to eight eggs. Nest is a bare cavity in a suitable tree branch or in the trunk. The female incubates the eggs.

Distinctive Markings

The male has a dark blue cere (skin at the base of the upper mandible surrounding the nostrils).

Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Psittaciformes
Family
Psittacidae
Genus
Melopsittacus
Species
undulatus

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

As with all parrots, the Budgerigar is born naked and helpless.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Herbivore. Feeds on seeds of native herbs and grasses, such as porcupine grass and saltbush.

Habitat

Found in most open habitats and not far from water.

Native Status
Native to Australia
Audio
Sounds
Warbling "chirrup" and "zit" is given in alarm.