Fun Facts on Budgies

Physical Characteristics

• In the wild, most budgies are green with yellow heads and black markings. In captivity, however, breeders have produced budgies in blue, turquoise, periwinkle, yellow, white, gray and violet. Breeders have also produced different color combinations and patterns. Budgies are 7 inches long, on average. Like other members of the parrot family, they have two toes that face forward and two that face backward. In contrast, birds that are not of the parrot family have three toes that face forward and one that faces backward.

Behavior

• Budgies in the wild form flocks of up to 1,000 birds. Wild budgies are nomadic and can fly hundreds of miles in search of water. The birds are hardy, being able to withstand hot, dry weather and cold, rainy weather, depending on the season. Budgies have very good vision. They can see in color, and can register up to 150 images per second. Humans, in comparison, can register up to 16 images per second.

Breeding in the Wild

• Wild budgies breed during the Australian summer, which is in October and November. During this time, the birds have good access to food and water. Budgies lay between four and six eggs, which are white, in nests made in small holes in trees. The females incubate the eggs. The chicks leave the nest about 30 days after hatching. Mature male budgies can be distinguished from mature females by the color of their ceres -- the flesh above their beaks. The cere of a mature male is blue, while that of female is brown or tan.

Other Facts

• Budgies are the most popular pet bird in the world. The term "budgie" is short for "budgerigar," an anglicized version of the Aborigine term "betcherrygah," which means "good to eat." Budgies are also known as parakeets, warbly grass parakeets, shell parrots and canary parrots. Budgies have an average lifespan of between five and eight years, although some have been known to live as long as 20 years.