Budgies are from Australia Budgerigar - pronounced [buhj-uh-ree-gahr] The name Budgerigar is thought to have been derived from an Aboriginal word or phrase. Wild budgerigars are originally from Australia and are nomadic birds, moving from place to place in search of water and food. They are able to fly hundreds of miles if necessary in search of water. These hardy birds endure a climate that can be very hot and dry and also cold as well as rainy depending on the season and the weather trends. Budgies live in flocks and when conditions are favorable, they sometimes group together to form a huge flock containing thousands of budgies.

Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Aves Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae Subfamily: Psittacinae Genus: Melopsittacus Species: Melopsittacus undulatus

Wild budgerigars feed primarily on grass seeds, eucalyptus leaves and various other seeds and greens. Breeding usually occurs during rainy seasons when water is plentiful. Like other parrots, budgies build their nests in holes found in trees. They will chew at the tree cavity until they have the shape and size that they need. The female budgie will lay an egg every 2 days until she has 4 to 8 eggs. While the mother budgie is busy keeping the eggs warm, it is the father's job to feed the mother and protect the nest. Incubation lasts about 18-21 days before the eggs will hatch. Baby budgerigars usually fledge or leave the nest on the fourth or fifth week after they hatch. Both the mother and father take turns feeding the babies.

Nicknames • Budgie • Parakeet • Grass parakeet • Shell parakeet Colors: Wild budgies are primarily green with black stripes and yellow heads. Domestic budgies can be green, blue, yellow (lutino), white (albino), gray, violet and many varieties of these colors and patterns. Size: Average 18 cm (7 in) long Weight: 26-40 grams Common Enemies Predatory birds and snakes, environmental issues

Other interesting facts • Budgies, like all parrots, have 2 toes that face forward and 2 that face back unlike other birds who have 3 toes facing forward and 1 facing back. • Studies have shown that the yellow feathers of budgerigars have fluorescent pigment. Since budgies are able to see a broader spectrum of colors including some ultra-violet, these fluorescent feathers are thought to play a role in attracting a mate. • In the U.S. budgies are usually called parakeets which means long tail. However there are several different types of parrots called parakeets so this name can be confusing. • Budgie eggs are white. • Budgies can turn their heads around 180 degrees. • If an adult budgie's cere (the flesh above the beak where the nostrils are located) is blue it is a male, if it is brown or tan it is a female. • The average life span of a domestic budgie is 5-8 years however some have been known to live 15 years or more. This article is from http://budgiekeet.com/facts.html Parakeet Passion takes all info from around the internet and puts it in one place. ALL credit goes to the website we got it from.