# Budgerigar (*Melopsittacus undulatus*)

> The budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) is a small Australian parakeet and the world's most popular pet bird. In the wild it roams the dry inland scrub and grassland of Australia in huge flocks, feeding on grass seeds; as a pet it is prized for being friendly, hardy, and able to mimic speech. Budgies are about 18 cm long, weigh around 35 g, and fly fast at up to 40 km/h. They usually live 5 to 8 years, longer with good care.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** The dry inland scrub and grassland of mainland Australia, where wild flocks roam in search of seeding grasses.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/budgerigar/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Psittaciformes
- **Family:** Psittaculidae
- **Genus:** Melopsittacus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Melopsittacus undulatus |
| Diet | Herbivore (grass seeds, plants) |
| Habitat | Dry inland scrub and grassland (wild) |
| Lifespan | 5–8 years, longer with good care |
| Length | About 18 cm (7 in) |
| Top speed | Up to 40 km/h (25 mph) |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## A small parrot with a big personality

The budgerigar is a compact member of the parrot family, measuring about 18 cm long and weighing only around 35 g. Wild budgies are green and yellow with black barring across the wings and back, a pattern that camouflages them in dry grassland. Generations of selective breeding have produced pet colours far beyond the wild form, including blue, white, grey, and violet. A patch of coloured skin above the beak, the cere, is often blue in males and brown in breeding females.

## Wild life in the Australian outback

In its native Australia the budgerigar is a nomadic bird of the arid and semi-arid interior, roaming dry scrub and grassland in search of food and water. Flocks can number in the thousands and move wherever recent rain has triggered a flush of seeding grasses. They are strong, fast fliers, reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h as they cross the outback. Breeding is tied to rainfall, so the birds nest opportunistically whenever conditions turn favourable.

## Diet and feeding

Budgerigars are herbivores that feed mainly on the seeds of grasses and other small plants. Wild flocks forage on the ground, stripping ripe seed heads across the plains. Pet budgies are usually fed a mix of seeds and formulated pellets, along with fresh vegetables and leafy greens to keep them healthy. Constant access to clean water and a source of grit or a cuttlebone supports their digestion and beak condition.

## The world's favourite pet bird

First brought to Europe in the 1800s, the budgerigar has become the most popular pet bird on the planet, kept in homes worldwide. Their appeal lies in their small size, cheerful nature, and remarkable ability to learn words and mimic sounds; some budgies build vocabularies of dozens of words. They are social and thrive on daily interaction, whether with a human keeper or another budgie. A roomy cage, time out to fly, and toys for mental stimulation keep a pet budgie happy.

## Breeding and lifespan

Budgerigars are cavity nesters that in the wild breed in hollow logs and tree holes, and readily use nest boxes in captivity. A female lays a clutch of around four to eight eggs, which she incubates for about 18 days while the male brings food. Chicks fledge roughly a month after hatching. With good diet, veterinary care, and a safe environment, pet budgies typically live 5 to 8 years and sometimes considerably longer.

## Conservation and status in the wild

In the wild the budgerigar is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and remains abundant across inland Australia, where flocks can be enormous. Its numbers rise and fall with the boom-and-bust rainfall of the outback rather than facing any serious long-term threat. Because the species is so widespread and so well established in captivity, it is in no danger. Australia does not permit the export of wild budgies, so pet birds worldwide are all captive-bred.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can budgerigars talk?

Yes. Budgerigars are among the best talking birds for their size and can learn to mimic dozens of words, whistles, and everyday sounds. Males tend to be the more enthusiastic talkers, and a budgie learns fastest with patient, regular repetition from its keeper.

### How long do budgerigars live?

Pet budgerigars usually live 5 to 8 years, and with a good diet, safe housing, and veterinary care they can live considerably longer. A healthy, well-cared-for budgie stands a much better chance of reaching the upper end of that range.

### What do budgerigars eat?

Budgerigars are herbivores that eat mainly grass seeds. Wild flocks forage on seeding grasses, while pet budgies do best on a mix of seeds and formulated pellets supplemented with fresh vegetables and leafy greens, plus constant clean water and a cuttlebone.

### Are budgerigars good pets?

Budgerigars make excellent pets. They are small, hardy, friendly, and inexpensive, and they bond closely with their keepers. They enjoy company and mental stimulation, so a roomy cage, daily interaction, time to fly, and a few toys keep them content.

### Are budgerigars found in the wild?

Yes. Budgerigars are native to Australia, where they live in large nomadic flocks across the dry inland scrub and grassland. Wild budgies are green and yellow with black barring, and the species is common and listed as Least Concern.

### How can you tell a male from a female budgie?

The easiest clue is the cere, the fleshy patch above the beak. In adult males it is usually blue, while in breeding females it turns brown and crusty. Colour alone is not reliable, as some varieties and young birds can be harder to sex.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Melopsittacus undulatus.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Melopsittacus%20undulatus&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Melopsittacus undulatus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Melopsittacus_undulatus/)
- [Wikipedia — Budgerigar.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budgerigar)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/budgerigar/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.