Budgerigar (Melopsittacus Undulatus)
A beautiful little parakeet, possibly the best known and most
popular bird bred in the world today, is a native of Australia, and the only
species in the Australian genus Melopsittacus. It has had a variety
of names; Undulated Parakeet. Shell Parrot, Grass Parakeet, Zebra Parrot,
Warbling Grass Parrot, Scallop Parrot and Canary Parrot, all of which,
fortunately, have been discarded in favor of the original native name
pronounced “budgerigar”. It is informally nicknamed the budgie. Wild
budgerigars are found throughout the drier parts of Australia, where the
species has survived harsh inland conditions for the last five million
years. Naturally green and yellow with black, scalloped markings on the
nape, back, and wings, breeders have created a rainbow of blues, whites, and
yellows, and even forms with small crests. Budgerigars are popular pets around
the world due to their small size, low cost, ability to mimic human speech and
playful nature.
There are two types of budgies - the American budgie, and the
English budgie. The American variety is the one most commonly found in pet
stores, while type often seen in exhibitions and shows is the English budgie.
English budgies are larger and have a different appearance than American
budgies, but all budgies belong to the same species,Melopsittacus undulatus.
