The budgie, or parakeet, is among the smallest of the parrot species commonly kept as pets. They are also the most popular pet bird by a large measure, due in part to the fact that they are quite affordable. These small parrots are exceedingly friendly and easy to tame. While they can sometimes be difficult to understand, they are also quite capable of mimicking human speech.

The budgie and other parakeet species are native to Australia, where they are still found in huge flocks in grasslands. These wild species, however, are slightly smaller than the birds normally found in the pet trade, which have now undergone decades of captive breeding. 

There are two types of budgies common to the pet trade, the Australian budgie or parakeet and the English budgie. The Australian variety is the one most commonly found, while the type often seen in exhibitions and shows is the larger English budgie. English budgies have a different appearance than Australian budgies but both types belong to the same species.

The normal wild colouration of a budgie is a light green with black bars on their wings, back, and head. Typically mature females have a tan or beige cere (the fleshy part around the nostrils) and the males have a bluish cere. Young budgies also have bar markings on their foreheads that recede with age and their eyes typically have dark irises that gradually become grey with age. Through selective breeding in the pet trade, a huge variety of colours and patterns are available, including violet, blue, yellow, pied, albino, and the classic neon green.


7 to 15 years in captivity, although some may live up to 20 years




Unlike other parrots, budgies are widely available, so care is necessary when selecting a bird. It is best to choose a young budgie that has been handled regularly if you want to easily tame your budgie. You can expect to pay more for a hand-reared or very young bird, but it may be worth the extra cost since it will make the hand-taming process quicker and easier.



Even if they have a large cage, budgies will still need playtime and socialisation opportunities outside of the cage. Flight is very natural and important for a bird, but you should only allow your budgie to fly in a very secure and safe area. Like most parrots, budgies are social birds, and thus many owners keep budgies in pairs so that they can entertain one another. Budgies seem to be happiest when kept in pairs. A single bird can be fine as long as you are able to spend a significant amount of time interacting with them on a daily basis.





Free flying time is critical to the budgie; try to offer several hours each a day in a room that is safe. A large houseplant can be a great playground. Your budgie needs a variety of toys to offer exercise and mental stimulation. It's best to rotate the toys every month or so to prevent them from growing bored.