Adult wild budgies living in Australia are about 7 inches long and weigh 40 grams, but budgies available in pet shops are often bigger. Wild budgies are green and yellow, with black and purple markings and a cobalt-blue tail. However, the budgie's popularity in the pet market has resulted in cross-breading that produced birds predominately blue, violet, white and gray. Bills and legs are often gray. Like some other bird species, budgies have a soft structure on the top of their bills called cere, which helps their breathing.
In the wild, budgies breed from June to September in northern Australia or from August to January in the southern areas. Hollow trees are the favorite place to nest. The female lays up to six eggs in alternate days, which she incubates for about 20 days. The young often fledge one month after hatching. Although the average lifespan of wild budgies is seven years, pet budgies can live longer.
English budgies and American parakeets are the same species. However, as a result of selective cross-breeding, English budgies are often twice the size of American parakeets. The lifespan of the English budgies is often shorter in comparison to the American parakeet, which can live more than 12 years. English budgies are also known for having a more aggressive temperament compared to the American parakeet.
In their native habitat, budgies mainly eat grass seeds. Pet budgerigars can eat whole grains, including barley, couscous, oat, wheat, quinoa and rice; and fruits, such as apples, berries, papaya, mango and oranges. Avoid grapefruit, plums, lemons and avocados, because they can cause toxic reactions. They can also eat lentils, peas, almonds and other nuts, as well as pellets specially formulated for small parrots. Budgies are energetic, and require spacious cages, ideally at least 30 inches long, 30 inches high and 20 inches wide.
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