All parakeets are parrots; nevertheless, not all parrots are parakeets. Parakeets are tiny parrots consisting of many different extraneous species found across the world from Australia to Asia, the subtropics of Africa to Middle and South America. Parakeets reside in the parrot family, and the word “parakeet” means long tail. They are small to medium-sized parrots with long, tapered tail feathers rather than having the stocker bodies and more square-shaped tails found on the large parrots.
Most Important Information on Parakeet
The name parakeet can be confusing, and this is the term used in aviculture, but it is not a scientific name and not a representation of their taxonomy. Asian parakeets demonstrate the most comprehensive range of pet quality, with some being affectionate and may talk. There are many different types of parakeets species found in each region, though the most extensive diversity is found in Australia and the New World of Central and South America.
1. Origin and History of Parakeet
Parakeets are a part of ancient history ad they have been used as food and then kept as pets for hundreds of years. The Alexandrine parakeet was titled for Alexander the Great, who, at the time of his Indian annexation around 327 BC, brought parrots to Europe from India. The Bugie or Budgerigar is also called parakeet. The name ‘Budgerigar’ originated from the aboriginal people of Australia.
The aboriginal name translates to ‘good eating.’ Budgies are initially from the grasslands and woodlands of Central and Southern Australia. Australia has over 30 species of colored parakeets, and there are over 27 species found in the Americas with numerous sub-species. In English, budgerigar or budgie is a more accurate name, because parakeet refers to a large group of small to medium-sized parrot species.
2. Types of Parakeets
More than 120 types and sub-types of Parakeets are found in a wide variety of sizes and colors. The most common species of Parakeets are as follows-
- Alexandrine Parakeets
- Derby parakeets
- Indian ringneck parakeets
- Quaker parakeet
- Budgerigar parakeet
- Eastern rosella
- Plum-headed parakeet
- Regent parakeet
3. Size and Lifespan of Parakeets
All types of parakeets are flock birds, very social with each other and with people. They are colorful, active, love attention, and make wonderful pets. They differ in size from about 7 to 18 inches in length and weigh anywhere between 30-40 grams. Smaller parakeets can live 8 to 10 years, while some of the larger species have known to live for 25 years or more.
4. Varieties of Budgies
Color mutation– Normal green budgie, Dark green budgie, Olive green budgie, Sky-blue budgie, Cobalt budgie, Mauve budgie, Grey wing mauve budgie, Dominant grey budgie, Yellowface budgie, Rainbow budgie, Normal violet budgie.
Striping pattern mutations– Opaline budgie, Sky blue spangle budgie, and a Green cinnamon budgie.
Pied mutations– Dominant pied budgie, Recessive pied budgie, Clear-flight pied budgie, and Dark eye clear pied budgie.
Rare mutations– crested budgie, Saddleback budgie, Slate budgie.
5. Physical Characteristics of the Pet Bird
- Parakeets generally have skinny bodies and long, tapered tails.
- Most parakeets have an unfeathered cere at the top of their beak that surrounds their nostrils.
- The beak of a parakeet is multi-faceted, and they have a hooked upper bill that they use to climb, hold things, or dig.
- All types of parakeets are naturally active and will stay very busy.
- They will always be climbing and flying from perch to perch.
- They will intently chew on toys and anything else that they can reach.
6. Body Colors of Parakeet
The color of parakeets can be fruitful. Each species has plumage with its color palette and colors can range from vibrant greens to bright yellows, reds, oranges, blues, violets, and more. The coloration of the cere on the same parakeets is different for males and females, making it easy to breed them.
7. Behavior or Personality of the Parakeets
Budgies are affable little birds that love to play and analyze their surroundings. While they look forward to time used with their human companions, they can be entirely independent, making them foolproof for novice bird owners. Those who ambition to form an especially durable bond with their pet budgie should resist the attractiveness of adding other birds to the home, as budgies can sometimes be enthusiastic about people in a flock environment.
8. Speech and Sound or Loudness, and Pricing
The budgie is a quiet bird compared to other birds. Many budgie owners, however, say that a budgie can be loud. American budgie’s prices are usually $ 10 to 20, while English budgies are usually $ 20 to 100 depending upon the ancestry. Expect to pay much for a hand-tamed bird and a little less for an older bird.
10. Care and Feeding of the Parakeets
While many commercial budgie foods consist of oily seeds, they alone do not provide adequate nutrition for pet birds. Parakeets are placed on a diet of extruded pellets, as they contain essential vitamins and nutrients and can be reinforced with additional supplements. Budgies should also be offered a group of fresh fruits and vegetables, including apples, grapes, and leafy greens.
11. Exercise of the Birds
Budgies are attractive little birds and need exercise every day to keep them in top shape. Captive budgies, principally those that live in small houses, should be granted for at least a couple of hours every day in a secure area so they can explore and stretch their wings.
12. Can parakeets talk?
Parakeets have been taught to whistle tunes and talk, and are just as intelligent as some larger bird species. They can talk and using words that have heard. Know for their charming, comical personalities and their willingness to learn human speech, and the parakeet is an exemplary choice for those who want all the fun of a large parakeet in a smaller package.
13. Are parakeets Good Pets?
- Parakeets are such beautiful birds that it seems every bird devotee has owned at least one.
- Bred in confinement since the 1800’s they remain popular and common as pets around the world today.
- With proper training and adaptation, they can be a delightful addition to almost any family.
Final Advice on Parakeet
Because of their modest size, they are easy to keep and care for, making them a fantastic option for children or those that lack the time required to maintain a giant bird. They are a snap to clean up after, inexpensive to feed, and can easily be kept in a small condo or apartment. Despite their cramped size, they are big on brains and personality.
