Budgerigar (Common Parakeet, Budgie, Shell Parakeet)
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Psittaciformes, Family: Psittaculidae, Genus: Melopsittacus, Species: M. undulatus
Family: Psittaculidae (Old World Parakeets and Budgerigar)
- Shape
- Symmetrical vane with a rounded tip, broadly oval shape
- Size
- Approximately 1.5 inches long and 0.5 inches wide, typical of small body contour feathers for this species
- Rarity
- Very Common (abundant in captivity and widespread in native Australian range)
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Description
A small, vibrant contour feather displaying the signature bright yellow-green hues of a budgerigar. Budgerigars are small, long-tailed, seed-eating parrots known for their intelligence, social nature, and ability to mimic sounds.
Colour & Pattern
Bright yellowish-green coloration with a smooth, matte surface; characteristic of the classic wild-type or mutated yellow-green budgerigar plumage
Barb Structure
Pennaceous at the distal tip with tightly interlocked barbicels, transitioning into a plumulaceous (fluffy, downy) structure near the base
Texture & Surface
Soft and silky near the base with a slightly firmer, smooth pennaceous tip
Key Features
Bright yellow-green coloration, small size, and combination of pennaceous tip and plumulaceous base
Habitat
Open country, scrublands, grasslands, and lightly wooded areas of Australia
Geographic Range
Endemic to the drier interior of Australia, highly nomadic; widely kept and bred in captivity globally
Ecological Role
Important seed disperser and prey species in the Australian arid ecosystem; highly gregarious flocking bird
Similar Species
Lovebirds (Agapornis spp.) or other small parrots, distinguished by exact color tones and barbs
Interesting Facts
Budgerigars form lifelong pair bonds and can see in the ultraviolet spectrum, which helps them detect potential mates and fluorescence in their plumage
Condition Notes
Good condition, mostly intact barbs with minor wear at the base