Budgerigar
Melopsittacus undulatus
Visual Identification
Appearance
Budgerigars are small, slender parakeets with long, tapering tails. Their plumage is primarily light green with black barring on the wings and back. The face and throat are yellow, with distinctive dark spots on the cheeks.
Males have blue ceres (the fleshy area above the beak), while females have brown or tan ceres when mature. Juveniles resemble adults but have barring on their foreheads that disappear with age.
Size
Length
18cm to 20cm
Wingspan
30cm to 32cm
Weight
30g to 40g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Budgerigars are native to Australia and found across much of the continent's interior. They inhabit arid and semi-arid regions, including grasslands, open woodlands, and scrublands.
These birds are nomadic, moving in response to rainfall and food availability. They are particularly common in the Australian Outback but can be found in various regions depending on environmental conditions.
They were introduced to the United States, where an established population exists in southwestern Florida, near St. Petersburg. They have also been introduced in Puerto Rico.
Elevation Range
Up to 1,000 meters
Climate zones
Arid, Semi-arid
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Budgerigar. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons