The budgie or simply budgie or Australian parakeet ( Melopsittacus undulatus ) is a species of macaw , a seed-eater commonly nicknamed budgie , or in American English , parakeet . The budgie is the only species in the genus Melopsittacus . Naturally, this species is green and yellow with black, scalloped markings on the nape, back, and wings. Captive-bred budgies come in blue, white, yellow, gray, and even have small crests. Juveniles and juveniles are sexually dimorphic , while adults are distinguished by their coloration and behavior.
The origin of the name "budgie" is unclear. First recorded in 1805, budgies are popular pets around the world due to their small size, low cost, and ability to imitate human voices. They are the third most popular pet in the world, after domesticated dogs and cats . [3] The budgie is a nomadic macaw that has been bred in captivity since the 19th century. In both captivity and the wild, budgies breed opportunistically and in pairs.
It is found wild throughout the arid regions of Australia , where it has survived in harsh inland conditions for over 5 million years. Its success can be attributed to its nomadic lifestyle and ability to reproduce on the go. [4] Budgerigar is closely related to the lori and fig parrots.
