A photo of a Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus)
Budgerigar

Budgerigar

Melopsittacus undulatus

The budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus), also known as the common parakeet or shell parakeet, is a small, long-tailed, seed-eating parrot usually nicknamed the budgie. Budgies are the only species in the genus Melopsittacus. Naturally, the species is green and yellow with black, scalloped markings on the nape, back, and wings. Budgies are bred in captivity with colouring of blues, whites, yellows, greys, and even with small crests. Juveniles and chicks are monomorphic, while adults are told apart by their cere colouring, and their behaviour. The forehead and face is yellow in adults. Prior to their adult plumage, young individuals have blackish stripes down to the cere in young individuals until around 3–4 months of age. They display small, iridescent blue-violet cheek patches and a series of three black spots across each side of their throats (called throat patches). The two outermost throat spots are situated at the base of each cheek patch. The tail is cobalt (dark-blue); and outside tail feathers display central yellow flashes. Their wings have greenish-black flight feathers and black coverts with yellow fringes along with central yellow flashes, which only become visible in flight or when the wings are outstretched. Bills are olive grey and legs blueish-grey, with zygodactyl toes.
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Budgerigars on Birda

Photos

Sightings

A map showing the sighting location
🦉
Harry ROOK
Thursday 26 Jan 2023 - 4:16pm
United Kingdom
A photo of a Budgerigar photographed in Spire United Kingdom
🦅
Umar .
Friday 28 Oct 2022 - 3:39pm
United Kingdom
A photo of a Budgerigar photographed in  United Kingdom
🦆
Dan Lescure
Sunday 09 Oct 2022 - 4:30pm
United Kingdom
A map showing the sighting location
🐧
Russ Good
Monday 19 Sep 2022 - 11:52am
United Kingdom
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