Budgerigar
Budgerigar
Budgerigar
Budgerigar
Temporal range: Paleocenerecent
Pre
O
S
D
C
P
T
J
K
Pg
N
Paleocenerecent
Conservation status
[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Psittaciformes
Superfamily:
Psittacoidea
Family:
Psittaculidae
Subfamily:
Loriinae
Tribe:
Melopsittacini
Genus:
Melopsittacus
Gould, 1840
Species:
M. undulatus
Binomial name
Melopsittacus undulatus
(Shaw, 1805)
1Biology
o
1.1Evolutionary history
1.3Vision
1.4Ecology
2.1Etymology
2.2Aviculture
2.3Breeding
2.4Chick health
2.5Development
2.6Colour mutations
2.7Mimicry
3See also
4References
5Bibliography
6Further reading
Biology[edit]
Evolutionary history[edit]
Evolutionary history
Lories and lorikeets
Budgerigar
Fig parrots, genera
(Cyclopsittaand Psittaculirostris)
Phylogenetic chart[4][5][6][7]
Wild budgerigars average 18 cm (7 in) long, weigh 3040 grams (1.11.4 oz), and
display a light green body colour (abdomen and rumps), while their mantles (back and
wing coverts) display pitch-black mantle markings (blackish in fledgelings and immatures)
edged in clear yellow undulations. The forehead and face is yellow in adults but with
blackish stripes down to the cere (nose) in young individuals until they change into their
adult plumage around three to four months of age. They display small, purple cheek
patches and a series of three black spots across each side of their throats (called throat
spots). The two outermost throat spots are situated at the base of each cheek patch. The
tail is cobalt (dark-blue); and outside tail feathers display central yellow flashes. Their
wings have greenish-black flight feathers and black coverts with yellow fringes along with
central yellow flashes, which only become visible in flight or when the wings are
outstretched. Bills are olive grey and legs blueish-grey, with zygodactyl toes.[9]
Budgerigars in their natural habitat in Australia are noticeably smaller than those
in captivity. This particular parrot species has been bred in many other colours and
shades in captivity (e.g. blue, grey, grey-green, pieds, violet, white, yellow-blue), although
they are mostly found in pet stores in blue, green, and yellow. Like most parrot species,
budgerigar plumage fluoresces under ultraviolet light. This phenomenon is possibly
related to courtship and mate selection.[10]
The upper half of their beaks is much taller than the bottom half and covers the bottom
when closed. The beak does not protrude much, due to the thick, fluffy feathers
surrounding it, giving the appearance of a downward-pointing beak that lies flat against
the face. The upper half acts as a long, smooth cover, while the bottom half is just about
a half-sized cup-piece. These beaks allow the birds to eat plants, fruits, and vegetables.
The colour of the cere (the area containing the nostrils) differs between the sexes, being
royal blue in males, pale brown to white (nonbreeding) or brown (breeding) in females,
and pink in immatures of both sexes (usually of a more even purplish-pink colour in
young males). Some female budgerigars develop brown cere only during breeding time,
which later returns to the normal colour. Young females can often be identified by a
subtle, chalky whiteness that starts around the nostrils. Males that are either Albino,
Lutino,Dark-eyed Clear or Recessive Pied (Danishpied or harlequin) always retain the
immature purplish-pink cere colour their entire lives. [9][11]
It is usually easy to tell the sex of a budgerigar over six months old, mainly by the cere
colours, but behaviours and head shape also help indicate sex.
A mature male's cere is usually light to dark blue, but can be purplish to pink in some
particular colour mutations, such as Dark-eyed Clears, Danish Pieds (Recessive Pieds)
and Inos, which usually display much rounder heads. Males are typically cheerful,
extroverted, highly flirtatious, peacefully social, and very vocal. [citation needed]
Females' ceres are pinkish as immatures and switch from being beigish or whitish
outside breeding condition into brown (often with a 'crusty' texture) in breeding condition
and usually display flattened backs of heads (right above the nape region). Females are
typically highly dominant and more socially intolerant. [12]
When females get older, their ceres tend to be brown usually, females are often more
bossy and rude with their own gender, but with males they get along better; usually when
budgies of different gender are put together, they tend to be more kind to each other.
Some will not even fight or peck at each other for their life time. [citation needed]
Vision[edit]
Like many birds, budgerigars have tetrachromatic colour vision, but all four classes
of cone cells operating simultaneously requires the full spectrum provided by sunlight.
[13]
Theultraviolet spectrum brightens their feathers to attract mates. The throat spots in
budgerigars reflect UV and can be used to distinguish individual birds. [10]
Ecology[edit]
were in the early 1980s. Increased competition from European starlings and house
sparrows is thought to be the primary cause of the population decline. [15]
Budgerigar at Fort Worth Zoo in Texas. The blue cere at the top of the beak shows that this is a
male
Alternative common names include shell parrot, warbling grass parakeet, canary parrot,
zebra parrot, flight bird, scallop parrot and the alternate spellings budgerygah and
betcherrygah.[16] Although more applicable to members of the genus Agapornis, the name
lovebird has been applied to them from their habit of mutual preening.[16]
Several possible origins for the English name "budgerigar" have been proposed:
A mispronunciation or alteration
of Gamilaraay gidjirrigaa [ iiria],[17][18] possibly
influenced by the Australian slang word "budgery",
meaning "good".
The budgerigar was first described by George Shaw in 1805, and given its current
binomial name by John Gould in 1840. The genus name Melopsittacus comes
from Greek and means "melodious parrot".[21] The species name undulatus is Latin for
"undulated" or "wave-patterned".[22] Gould noted the term betcherrygah was used by
indigenous people of the Liverpool Plains in New South Wales.[23] While many references
mention "good" as part of the meaning, and a few specify "good bird", it is quite possible
that reports by those local to the region are more accurate in specifying the direct
translation as "good food".[24]There are apocryphal reports that this could also translate as
"tasty treat", implying they were eaten by the aboriginals. However, it is more likely the
name derived from their migratory nature. With seasonal changes that left parts of the
Liverpool Plains barren, they would move to areas with residual water, that still produced
the seeds they sought. By following the birds, the aboriginals could locate water, and also
other game and food plants. Thus, the birds could lead them to "good food".
Aviculture[edit]
The budgerigar has been bred in captivity since the 1850s. Breeders have worked to
produce a variety of colour, pattern, and feather mutations, including albino, blue,
cinnamon-ino (lacewinged), clearwinged, crested, dark, greywinged, opaline, pieds,
spangled, dilute (suffused), and violet.
English or "show" budgerigars are about twice as large as their wild counterparts, and
with a larger size and puffier head feathers have a boldly exaggerated look.
The eyes and beak can be almost totally obscured by these fluffy head feathers. English
budgerigars are typically more expensive than wild-type birds, and have shorter life span
of about seven to nine years. Breeders of English budgerigars often exhibit their birds
at animal shows. Most captive budgerigars in the pet trade are more similar in size and
body conformation to wild budgerigars.
Budgerigars are social animals and require stimulation in the shape of toys and
interaction with humans or with other budgerigars. Budgerigars, and especially females,
will chew material such as wood. When a budgerigar feels threatened, it will try to perch
as high as possible and to bring its feathers close against its body in order to appear
thinner.
Tame budgerigars can be taught to speak, whistle, and play with humans. Both males
and females sing and can learn to mimic sounds and words and do simple tricks, but
singing and mimicry are more pronounced and better perfected in males. Females rarely
learn to mimic more than a dozen words. Males can easily acquire vocabularies ranging
from a few dozen to a hundred words. Pet males, especially those kept alone, are
generally the best speakers.[citation needed]
Budgerigars will chew on anything they can find to keep their beaks trimmed. Mineral
blocks (ideally enriched with iodine), cuttlebone, and soft wooden pieces are suitable for
this activity. In captivity, budgerigars live an average of five to eight years, but life spans
of 1520 years have been reported.[25] The life span depends on breed, lineage, and
health, being highly influenced by exercise and diet. Budgerigars have been known to
cause "bird fancier's lung" in sensitive people, a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.[26]
Breeding[edit]
Breeding in the wild generally takes place between June and September in northern
Australia and between August and January in the south, although budgerigars
are opportunistic breeders and respond to rains when grass seeds become most
abundant.[9] They show signs of affection to their flockmates by preening or feeding one
another. Budgerigars feed one another by eating the seeds themselves, and then
regurgitating it into their flockmate's mouth. Populations in some areas have increased as
a result of increased water availability at farms. Nests are made in holes in trees, fence
posts, or logs lying on the ground; the four to six eggs are incubated for 1821 days, with
the young fledging about 30 days after hatching.[9][14]
In the wild, virtually all parrot species require a hollow tree or a hollow log as a nest site.
Because of this natural behavior, budgerigars most easily breed in captivity when
provided with a reasonable-sized nest box. The eggs are typically one to two centimetres
long and are pearl white without any colouration if fertile. Female budgerigars can lay
eggs without a male partner, but these unfertilised eggs will not hatch. When the female
is laying eggs, her cere turns a crusty brown colour. A female budgerigar will lay
her eggs on alternate days.[27]After the first one, there is usually a two-day gap until the
next. She will usually lay between four and eight eggs, which she will incubate (usually
starting after laying her second or third) for about 21 days each. [27] Females only leave
their nests for very quick defecations, stretches and quick meals once they have begun
incubating and are by then almost exclusively fed by their mate (usually at the nest's
entrance). Females will not allow a male to enter the nest, unless he forces his way
inside.[27] Depending on the clutch size and the beginning of incubation, the age difference
between the first and last hatchling can be anywhere from 9 to 16 days. At times, the
parents may begin eating their own eggs due to feeling insecure in the nest box.
Chick health[edit]
Breeding difficulties arise for various reasons. Some chicks may die from diseases and
attacks from adults. Other budgerigars (virtually always females) may fight over the nest
box, attacking each other or a brood. Sometimes, budgerigars (mainly males) are not
interested in the opposite gender, and will not reproduce with them; a flock setting
several pairs housed where they can see and hear each otheris necessary to stimulate
breeding. Another problem may be the birds' beaks being under lapped, where the lower
mandible is above the upper mandible.
Most health issues and physical abnormalities in budgerigars are genetic. Care should be
taken that birds used for breeding are active, healthy, and unrelated. Budgerigars that are
related or which have fatty tumours or other potential genetic health problems should not
be allowed to breed. Parasites (lice, mites, worms) and pathogens (bacteria, fungi and
viruses), are contagious and thus transmitted between individuals through either direct or
indirect contact. Nest boxes should be cleaned between uses.
Splay leg is a relatively common problem in baby budgerigars and other birds; one the
budgerigar's legs is bent outward, which prevents it from being able to stand properly and
compete with the other chicks for food, and can also lead to difficulties in reproducing in
adulthood. The condition is caused by young budgerigars slipping repeatedly on the floor
of a nest box. It is easily avoided by placing a small quantity of a safe bedding or wood
shavings in the bottom of the nest box. Alternatively, several pieces of paper may be
placed in the box for the female to chew into bedding.
Development[edit]
Eggs take about 1820 days before they start hatching. The hatchlings are altricial
blind, naked, unable to lift their head, and totally helpless, and their mother feeds them
and keeps them warm constantly. Around 10 days of age, the chicks' eyes will open, and
they will start to develop feather down. The appearance of down occurs at the age for
closed banding of the chicks. Budgerigar's closed band rings must be neither larger nor
smaller than 4.0 to 4.2 mm.
They develop feathers around three weeks of age. (One can often easily note the colour
mutation of the individual birds at this point.) At this stage of the chicks' development, the
male usually has begun to enter the nest to help his female in caring and feeding the
chicks. Some budgerigar females, however, totally forbid the male from entering the nest
and thus take the full responsibility of rearing the chicks until they fledge.
Depending on the size of the clutch and most particularly in the case of single mothers, it
may then be wise to transfer a portion of the hatchlings (or best of the fertile eggs) to
another pair. The foster pair must already be in breeding mode and thus either at the
laying or incubating stages, or already rearing hatchlings.
As the chicks develop and grow feathers, they are able to be left on their own for longer
periods of time. By the fifth week, the chicks are strong enough that both parents will be
comfortable in staying out of the nest more. The youngsters will stretch their wings to
gain strength before they attempt to fly. They will also help defend the box from enemies,
mostly with their loud screeching. Young budgerigars typically fledge (leave the nest)
around their fifth week of age and are usually completely weaned between six to eight
weeks old. However, the age for fledging, as well as weaning, can vary slightly
depending on whether its age and the number of surviving chicks. Generally speaking,
the oldest chick is the first to be weaned. Though it is logically the last one to be weaned,
the youngest chick is often weaned at a younger age than its older sibling(s). This can be
a result of mimicking the actions of older siblings. Lone surviving chicks are often weaned
at the youngest possible age as a result of having their parents' full attention and care.
Hand-reared budgies may take slightly longer to wean than parent-raised chicks. Hand
feeding is not routinely done with budgerigars, due to their small size, and because
young parent raised birds can be readily tamed.
Colour mutations[edit]
Main article: Budgerigar colour genetics
Adult females (top) display beige to brown ceres, while adult males (bottom) typically have blue
ceres or purplish-pink in albinistic and recessive pied varieties.
All captive budgerigars are divided into two basic series of colours; namely, white-based
(blue, grey and white) and yellow-based (green, grey-green and yellow). Presently, at
least 32 primary mutations (including violet) occur, enabling hundreds of possible
secondary mutations (stable combined primary mutations) and colour varieties (unstable
combined mutations).
Mimicry[edit]
Main article: Talking bird
Male specimens of budgerigars are considered to be one of the top five talking
champions amongst parrot species, alongside the African grey, the amazon, and
the eclectus parrots, and the ring-necked parakeet.[citation needed]
Puck, a male budgerigar owned by American Camille Jordan, holds the world record for
the largest vocabulary of any bird, at 1,728 words. Puck died in 1994, with the record first
appearing in the 1995 edition of Guinness World Records.[28][29]
In 2001, recordings of a budgerigar called Victor got some attention from the media.
Victor's owner, Ryan B. Reynolds of Canada, stated Victor was able to engage in
contextual conversation and predict the future.[30][31] Though some believe the animal was
able to predict his own death as was claimed,[32] further study on the subject is difficult
without the bird. The recordings still remain to be verified by scientific analysis. [33] Critics
argue Victor's speech in the recordings is not coherent enough to be determined as
spoken in context.[34]
Pet budgies have continued to make headlines all over the world for their mimicry, talking
ability, and charm. One budgie, named Disco, has become an internet superstar.[35] As of
2013, Disco has been viewed over 6,067,744 times on his YouTube channel. [36] Some of
Disco's most popular key phrases include, "I am not a crook" and "Nobody puts baby bird
in a corner!"[37]
See also[edit]
Whipper (budgerigar)
Sparkie (budgerigar)
Talking bird
References[edit]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Bibliography[edit]
Further reading[edit]
The dictionary definition of budgerigar at Wiktionary
Wikimedia Commons has
media related to Budgerigar.
Wikimedia Commons has
media related
toDomesticated
budgerigars.
Wikispecies has information
related to: Melopsittacus
undulatus
Budgerigar mutations
Blue
Cinnamon
Clearwing
Dark
Dilute
Dominant Clearbody
Colour mutations
Greywing
Ino
Slate
Sex-linked Clearbody
Violet
Fallow mutations
English Fallow
German Fallow
Scottish Fallow
Grey mutations
Anthracite
Dominant Grey
English Grey
Recessive Grey
Yellowface mutations
Yellowface I
Yellowface II
Blackface
Mottled
Opaline
Pattern mutations
Saddleback
Spangle
Clearflight Pied
Australian Pied
Pied mutations
Recessive Pied
Crested
Feather Duster
Feather mutations
Half-sider
Budgerigar colour genetics
Mutation
Related topics
Selective breeding
LCCN: sh85017599
Authority control
GND: 4065320-1
Categories:
Birds of Australia
Broad-tailed parrots
Platycercini
Talking birds
Feral parrots
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