Range

Australia is the native home of the budgerigar. Here they can be found in the arid interior of the country with a wide range which only avoids the coastline and tropical areas in the north.

Introduced populations of the budgerigar exist in the United States with large populations in Florida and Puerto Rico.

Habitat

Budgerigars make their home in forests, savannas, shrubland, grassland and deserts. They are not often found far from water.

They are highly nomadic with their habitat changing throughout the year based on the location of seeding grasses.

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Reproduction

Breeding takes place in response to rains when conditions are most suitable. If possible they may produce multiple clutches during this breeding event.

A pair of budgerigars will form their nest in a tree cavity or on a branch.

In to the nest a female will deposit a clutch of up to eight eggs which she does most of the incubation of. At birth the young are without feathers and helpless.

They will remain in the nest being cared for by the parents for 35 days.

Behavior

During most of the year a flock of budgies will include between 3 and 100 birds. After rain this number may grow in to the thousands.

While they are resting a pair of budgies will preen each other.

Most of their activity occurs during the morning so that they can rest during the heat of the day.

Budgerigars remain in contact with one another using a ‘chirrup’ call and show alarm using a ‘zit’ call.

Predators and Threats

Natural predators of the budgerigar include birds of prey such as the peregrine falcon and hobby falcon.

One way they can avoid predators is to fly in erratic patterns which involve twisting and turning along with making lots of noise to confuse the predator.

Introduced predators such as the domestic cat also present a threat.

Quick facts

The budgerigar is among the world’s most popular pet birds. They have been bred in captivity since at least the 1850s.

They have the ability to mimic human speech.

Budgerigars are also known as the ‘shell parrot.’

Their common name comes from a Gamilaraay Aboriginal language name ‘Betcherrygah’ which means ‘good eating.’

Their scientific name ‘Melopsittacus’ is Greek for ‘melodious parrot’ with the second half ‘undulatus’ being Latin for undulating. This is a reference to the scalloped patterns on their wings.