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General Information
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Common Names: Budgerigar, Budgie, Parakeet (in the U.S.)
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Scientific Name: Melopsittacus undulatus
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Family: Psittaculidae (parrot family)
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Origin: Native to Australia (wild flocks still roam the open grasslands and scrublands)
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Status: Least Concern (IUCN), highly abundant in the wild and captivity
🔹 Physical Description
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Size: 7 inches (18 cm) long on average
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Weight: 25–35 g (0.9–1.2 oz)
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Wingspan: 10–12 inches (25–30 cm)
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Lifespan: 5–8 years in captivity; up to 10–15 years with excellent care (rarely up to 20)
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Plumage:
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Wild type: green body, yellow head with black barring, and blue/purple cheek patches
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Captive varieties: over 70+ color mutations including blue, violet, albino, lutino, pied, and opaline
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Cere (fleshy area above beak):
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Blue in mature males
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Brown/tan in mature females
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Pink/purple in juveniles until sexing is possible
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🔹 Temperament & Behavior
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Intelligence: Smart and trainable, though less so than large parrots
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Personality: Playful, curious, social, and friendly
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Vocalization: Chirpy and melodic; some can mimic words and short phrases (especially males)
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Social Needs: Very social; thrive in pairs or flocks, though single budgies can bond well with humans if given daily interaction
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Activity Level: Highly active; love flying, climbing, and playing with toys
🔹 Diet
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Staple: High-quality budgie seed mix or pellets
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Fresh Foods: Leafy greens (spinach, kale, parsley), vegetables (carrots, broccoli, corn, peas), fruits (apples, melon, grapes, mango)
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Supplements: Cuttlebone or mineral block for calcium
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Avoid: Avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, onion, garlic, salty/fatty foods
🔹 Care Requirements
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Cage Size: Minimum 18” x 18” x 18” for a single budgie; larger if keeping pairs or flocks
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Exercise: Daily flight time outside cage (in a safe, bird-proofed room)
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Enrichment: Swings, ladders, bells, shreddable toys, mirrors (if single bird)
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Grooming: Occasional misting or shallow bath; nails may need trimming if not worn down naturally
Inquiry - Budgerigar Birds
