Birdsong field guide
Budgerigar
Melopsittacus undulatus
The Budgerigar is a small, nomadic seed-eating parrot characterized by its long tail and vibrant plumage. It is the sole member of its genus and is among the most widespread of Australia's psittacines.
What it sounds like
A melodic, continuous warbling punctuated by sharp, metallic 'chirrup' contact calls and raspy, chattering alarm notes.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
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Field notes
- Wild individuals are consistently green and yellow with black mantle barring, unlike the varied color mutations seen in captivity.
- They are highly nomadic, following rainfall patterns across the Australian interior to exploit ephemeral grass seed sources.
- Budgerigars possess tetrachromatic vision, allowing them to perceive ultraviolet light which plays a role in mate selection.
- The color of the cere—the fleshy area above the bill—is sexually dimorphic, usually appearing blue in adult males and brown in breeding females.
- They are among the most proficient mimics in the avian world, capable of learning hundreds of words and maintaining complex vocal dialects within flocks.
Habitat
Arid and semi-arid open woodlands, grasslands, and scrublands, usually within flight distance of water.
Range
Endemic to the Australian mainland, occurring throughout the interior and occasionally reaching coastal areas during drought.
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