Bird guideBudgerigar

First recorded in 1805, budgerigars are popular pets around the world due to their small size, low cost, and ability to mimic human speech.

⚠️Not listed
🌿Endemic to Australia
🍃Indigenous: Gidjirrigaa

At a glance

FamilyOld World Parrots
SizeMedium
RarityCommon
HabitatThe colour of the cere (the area containing the nostrils) differs between the sexes, being a lavender/baby blue in males, pale brownish/white (non breeding) to brown (breeding) in females, and pink in immature birds of both sexes (usually of a more even purplish-pink colour in young males).
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from June to August.

Sounds

Sound sample
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Recorded by Samantha Aguirre

Range map

Range map

9599visible hotspots
73392visible records
5states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence

Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.

Species notes

Overview

Largely nomadic, according to food and water availability. Usually found in small flocks zipping around overhead, but can congregate in staggering numbers under the right conditions. All native birds in Australia are green and yellow with a beautiful scalloped pattern on the upperparts and fine barring on the head. Small introduced populations and escaped birds scattered across the globe can include various other color forms such as blue and white.

Behavior

Naturally, the species is green and yellow with black, scalloped markings on the nape, back, and wings. Budgies are nomadic flock parakeets that have been bred in captivity since the 19th century.

Regional timing

Western Australia
Peak: May to September11,756 records
Queensland
Peak: June to August21,910 records
New South Wales
Peak: September to October8,751 records
South Australia
Peak: August to October10,795 records
Northern Territory
Peak: March to September17,643 records
Victoria
Peak: October to November1,725 records
Tasmania
Peak: January1 records
Australian Capital Territory
Peak: January to February46 records
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