Budgerigar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Characteristics
Adult
females (left above) have pink to brown ceres while adult males (right above)
have blue ceres.
Appearance
Budgerigars are about 18 cm
long and weigh 30-40 grams. Wild budgerigars have green underparts and rumps,
while the upperparts are barred with black and yellow. The forehead and face is
yellow in adults, and barred black with yellow in young till they change into
their adult plumage at 3-4 months of age. Each cheek has a small dark purple
patch and a series of black spots (called the "necklace") across the
throat. The tail is greenish blue or purple; outside tail feathers have a
central yellow band. Their wings have greenish-black flight feathers and black
coverts with yellow fringes. Bill olive grey and legs greyish blue, with zygodactyl
toes.[5] Wild budgerigars are noticeably smaller
than those in captivity. These parrots have been bred in many other colours in
captivity, such as white, blue, and even purple, although they are mostly found
in pet stores in blue, green and seldomly white.
The colour of the cere (the
area containing the nostrils) differs between the sexes; royal blue in males,
pale-brown to white(non-breeding) or brown (breeding) in females and pink in
immatures of both genders (usually of a more even purplish-pink colour in young
males). Young females can often be identified by a subtle chalky whiteness that
starts around the cere nostril holes. Males that are albinos, lutinos or
recessive pieds usually retain the immature purplish-pink cere color their
entire life. [6][5]
Colour
Mutations
There are presently at
least 32 primary mutations in the budgerigar, enabling hundreds of possible
secondary mutations (stable combined primary mutations) & colour varieties
(unstable combined mutations). Each of these primary mutations falls into one
of four basic groups:
- Albinism, in which eumelanin (dark pigment) is
reduced in all body tissues & structures. It may be complete (a
complete absence of eumelanin) or partial (an incomplete reduction in the
amount of eumelanin).
- Dilutism, in which eumelanin incompletely reduced,
almost exclusively in feathering.
- Leucism, in which all pigmentation is reduced,
almost exclusively in feathering.
- Melanism, in which eumelanin is increased
virtually only in feathering.
Each of these mutations is
inherited in via one of the following dominance relationships:
- Autosomal co-cominant
- Autosomal complete
dominant
- Autosomal incomplete
dominant
- Autosomal recessive
- Autosomal polygenic
- Sex-linked recessive
Because birds have a ZW
sex-determination system, sex-linked recessive phenotypes are more common in
females than in males, rather than the reverse as is found the more familiar XY
determination of humans.
Personality
Young male
budgie of near natural coloration. Budgerigars, especially males, are very tame
house pets.
Budgerigars are, very
generally speaking, accepting of humans and other birds, but should never be
housed with a bird other than another budgerigar. Care should be taken even
when placing two budgies together, as they can do serious harm to one another
if they do not get along. They are relatively easily tamed.
Habitat
and behaviour
Budgerigars are nomadic
birds found in open habitats, primarily in Australian scrubland, open woodland
and grassland. The birds are normally found in small flocks, but can form very
large flocks under favourable conditions. The species is extremely nomadic and
the movement of the flocks is tied to the availability of food and water.[5] Drought can drive flocks into more wooded habitat
or coastal areas. They feed on the seeds of spinifex, grass weeds, and
sometimes ripening wheat. [7][5].
Feral birds have been found
since the 1940s in the St. Petersburg, Florida area of the United States, but
are much less common than they were in the early 1980s. Colder than normal
winter temperatures in some years and increased competition from European
Starlings are the main reasons for the declining population.[8]
Breeding takes place
generally between June and September in the North and between August and
January in the South but they are opportunistic breeders responding to the rains
when grass seeds become most abundant.[5]
Populations in some areas have increased as a result of increased water
availability at farms. The nest is in a hole in a tree, fence post or even a
log laying on the ground; the 4-6 eggs are incubated for 17-19 days, with the
young fledging about 30 days after hatching.[7][5]
Both male and female
budgerigars sing and can learn to mimic sounds, although both singing and
mimicry are more pronounced in males.
Captivity
Pet budgerigars.
Budgerigar
hen
The budgerigar is one of
the few parrots to be domesticated as a pet. Believed to be the most common pet
parrot in the world, it has been bred in captivity since the 1850s. Breeders
have worked over the decades to produce a wide range of colour and feather
mutations, such as yellow, blue, white, violet, olive, albino and lutino
(yellow), clearwing and spangled. Feather mutations can produce crests or overly
long shaggy feathers known as "feather dusters".
Modern show budgerigars,
also called English budgerigars, are larger than their wild cousins,
with puffy head feathers, giving them an exaggerated look. The eyes and beak
can be almost totally obscured by feathers. Such birds are reported to be more
prone to genetic mutations because of inbreeding. Most budgerigars in the pet
trade are not of the show variety and are similar in size and body conformation
to wild budgerigars.
A blue male
budgerigar in captivity
Budgerigars can be taught
to speak, whistle tunes, and play with humans. They are intelligent and social
animals and enjoy the stimulation of toys and interaction with humans as well
as with other budgerigars. A common behaviour is the chewing of material such
as wood, especially for female budgerigars.
Female
white budgerigar. This is not an albino because it lacks the red eyes.
In captivity, budgerigars
live an average of five to eight years, but are reported to occasionally live
to 15 if well cared for [9]. The life span depends on
the budgerigar's breed (show budgerigars typically do not live as long as the
common budgerigars) and the individual bird's health, which is influenced by
exercise and diet.
Although wild budgerigars
eat grass seeds almost exclusively, avian veterinarians recommend
supplementation with foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, sprouted seeds,
pasta, whole wheat bread and other healthy human foods, as well as pellets
formulated for small parrots. Adding these foods provides additional nutrients
and can prevent obesity and lipomas, as can substituting millet, which is
relatively low in fat, for seeds mixes. Budgerigars do not always adapt readily
to dietary additions, however. Chocolate and avocado are recognized as
potential toxins.[10] Plums, lemons, limes, and members
of the cabbage family are bad for them as well. Recommended fruits and
vegetables are apples, oranges, bananas, strawberries, carrots, unsprayed
lettuces, parsley, peaches and spinach.[1]
Reproduction
The male will stand on
female's back while some beak contact is made between the mates. The male will
then wrap his tail under the female's raised tail, place his cloaca (male
budgerigars have no penis) against hers and rub it back and forth to stimulate ejaculation.
The male may move away for a moment before returning for another session.
Breeding
This
section does not cite its references or sources.
Budgerigars are easily
bred. In the wild, they require a hollow tree or a hollow log, but domesticated
birds use breeding boxes. A hen will lay her eggs on alternate days; after the
first one, there is usually a two-day gap until the next. She will usually lay
between four to twelve eggs, which she will incubate for 17 to 20 days.
When the eggs start to
hatch, the hatchlings are usually quite helpless. During the second week, the
hatchlings' eyes will open, and they will start to develop feather down. After
three weeks, the hatchlings will develop feathers of their genetic colour. This
may take longer than expected, as the parents sometimes pluck the feathers of
their offspring.
By the fifth week, the
hatchlings are strong enough that the parents will be comfortable in
occasionally leaving the box. The hatchlings will stretch their wings to gain
strength before they attempt to fly. They will also help defend the box from
enemies. After the eighth week, the eldest babies should be eating and flying
independently.
Breeding
difficulties
Breeding difficulties arise
for various reasons. Some chicks may die from diseases or attacks by their
parents. Other budgerigars may fight over the nest box, attacking the hen while
she is laying her eggs. Other difficulties can involve inbreeding and minor
colour or feather mutations.
Human
speech
In 2001, budgie owner Ryan
B. Reynolds of Ontario, Canada received much publicity due to his release to
the press of certain recordings of his talking budgie, Victor. In these
recordings, Victor performed what appeared to be "speaking in
context". To the layperson, the recordings appeared to audibly demonstrate
that Victor was able to use his 1000+ word vocabulary to express coherent lines
of thought, meaning and reasoning. Despite the widespread TV, newspaper and
radio publicity the recordings received in 2001, the recordings have yet to be
scientifically analysed.[11].
A budgerigar named Puck
holds the world record for the largest vocabulary of any bird, at 1,728 words. Puck,
owned by American Camille Jordan, died in 1994, with the record first appearing
in the 1995 edition of Guinness World Records. [12] [13]
References
- ^ BirdLife International (2004). Melopsittacus
undulatus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006.
Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why
this species is of least concern
- ^ Dr. Marshall's Philosophy on Breeding
Exhibition Budgerigars. Bird Health (2004). Retrieved on 2007-01-19.
- ^ Online etymology dictionary
- ^ A Reference Dictionary of Gamilaraay
- ^ a b
c d e
f Forshaw, Joseph Michael; William T. Cooper (1973
& 1981). Parrots of the World, 1st and 2nd. ISBN 0-87666-959-3.
- ^ Birds Online - How to tell the sex of a
budgie. Retrieved on 25 April 2006.
- ^ a b
The Wild Budgerigar (article). Retrieved on 25 April 2006.
- ^ Pranty, Bill (1992). Budgerigar: Melopsittacus
undulatus. Florida's Breeding Bird Atlas. Retrieved on 2006-12-28.
- ^ Birds Online - Life span of a budgie. Retrieved
on 26 December 2005.
- ^ Margaret A. Wissman, D.V.M., D.A.B.V.P.. Medical
Conditions and Diseases of the Budgerigar and Cockatiel (article). ExoticPetVet.Net.
Retrieved on 26 April 2006.
- ^ Elvira Cordileone (2006). Are Birds
Trying to Tell Us Things? (article). Toronto Star. Retrieved on 7 May 2006.
publication date: 23 Mar. 2006
- ^ Claire
Folkard (ed.): Guiness World Records 2004. Guinness World Records Limited, p. 54. ISBN
085112-180-2.
- ^ The Bird with the Largest Vocabulary in
the World. Retrieved on 2007-01-06.
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Budgerigar&action=history
Characteristics
Adult
females (left above) have pink to brown ceres while adult males (right above)
have blue ceres.
Appearance
Budgerigars are about 18 cm
long and weigh 30-40 grams. Wild budgerigars have green underparts and rumps,
while the upperparts are barred with black and yellow. The forehead and face is
yellow in adults, and barred black with yellow in young till they change into
their adult plumage at 3-4 months of age. Each cheek has a small dark purple
patch and a series of black spots (called the "necklace") across the
throat. The tail is greenish blue or purple; outside tail feathers have a
central yellow band. Their wings have greenish-black flight feathers and black
coverts with yellow fringes. Bill olive grey and legs greyish blue, with zygodactyl
toes.[5] Wild budgerigars are noticeably smaller
than those in captivity. These parrots have been bred in many other colours in
captivity, such as white, blue, and even purple, although they are mostly found
in pet stores in blue, green and seldomly white.
The colour of the cere (the
area containing the nostrils) differs between the sexes; royal blue in males,
pale-brown to white(non-breeding) or brown (breeding) in females and pink in
immatures of both genders (usually of a more even purplish-pink colour in young
males). Young females can often be identified by a subtle chalky whiteness that
starts around the cere nostril holes. Males that are albinos, lutinos or
recessive pieds usually retain the immature purplish-pink cere color their
entire life. [6][5]
Colour
Mutations
There are presently at
least 32 primary mutations in the budgerigar, enabling hundreds of possible
secondary mutations (stable combined primary mutations) & colour varieties
(unstable combined mutations). Each of these primary mutations falls into one
of four basic groups:
- Albinism, in which eumelanin (dark pigment) is
reduced in all body tissues & structures. It may be complete (a
complete absence of eumelanin) or partial (an incomplete reduction in the
amount of eumelanin).
- Dilutism, in which eumelanin incompletely reduced,
almost exclusively in feathering.
- Leucism, in which all pigmentation is reduced,
almost exclusively in feathering.
- Melanism, in which eumelanin is increased
virtually only in feathering.
Each of these mutations is
inherited in via one of the following dominance relationships:
- Autosomal co-cominant
- Autosomal complete
dominant
- Autosomal incomplete
dominant
- Autosomal recessive
- Autosomal polygenic
- Sex-linked recessive
Because birds have a ZW
sex-determination system, sex-linked recessive phenotypes are more common in
females than in males, rather than the reverse as is found the more familiar XY
determination of humans.
Personality
Young male
budgie of near natural coloration. Budgerigars, especially males, are very tame
house pets.
Budgerigars are, very
generally speaking, accepting of humans and other birds, but should never be
housed with a bird other than another budgerigar. Care should be taken even
when placing two budgies together, as they can do serious harm to one another
if they do not get along. They are relatively easily tamed.
Habitat
and behaviour
Budgerigars are nomadic
birds found in open habitats, primarily in Australian scrubland, open woodland
and grassland. The birds are normally found in small flocks, but can form very
large flocks under favourable conditions. The species is extremely nomadic and
the movement of the flocks is tied to the availability of food and water.[5] Drought can drive flocks into more wooded habitat
or coastal areas. They feed on the seeds of spinifex, grass weeds, and
sometimes ripening wheat. [7][5].
Feral birds have been found
since the 1940s in the St. Petersburg, Florida area of the United States, but
are much less common than they were in the early 1980s. Colder than normal
winter temperatures in some years and increased competition from European
Starlings are the main reasons for the declining population.[8]
Breeding takes place
generally between June and September in the North and between August and
January in the South but they are opportunistic breeders responding to the rains
when grass seeds become most abundant.[5]
Populations in some areas have increased as a result of increased water
availability at farms. The nest is in a hole in a tree, fence post or even a
log laying on the ground; the 4-6 eggs are incubated for 17-19 days, with the
young fledging about 30 days after hatching.[7][5]
Both male and female
budgerigars sing and can learn to mimic sounds, although both singing and
mimicry are more pronounced in males.
Captivity
Pet budgerigars.
Budgerigar
hen
The budgerigar is one of
the few parrots to be domesticated as a pet. Believed to be the most common pet
parrot in the world, it has been bred in captivity since the 1850s. Breeders
have worked over the decades to produce a wide range of colour and feather
mutations, such as yellow, blue, white, violet, olive, albino and lutino
(yellow), clearwing and spangled. Feather mutations can produce crests or overly
long shaggy feathers known as "feather dusters".
Modern show budgerigars,
also called English budgerigars, are larger than their wild cousins,
with puffy head feathers, giving them an exaggerated look. The eyes and beak
can be almost totally obscured by feathers. Such birds are reported to be more
prone to genetic mutations because of inbreeding. Most budgerigars in the pet
trade are not of the show variety and are similar in size and body conformation
to wild budgerigars.
A blue male
budgerigar in captivity
Budgerigars can be taught
to speak, whistle tunes, and play with humans. They are intelligent and social
animals and enjoy the stimulation of toys and interaction with humans as well
as with other budgerigars. A common behaviour is the chewing of material such
as wood, especially for female budgerigars.
Female
white budgerigar. This is not an albino because it lacks the red eyes.
In captivity, budgerigars
live an average of five to eight years, but are reported to occasionally live
to 15 if well cared for [9]. The life span depends on
the budgerigar's breed (show budgerigars typically do not live as long as the
common budgerigars) and the individual bird's health, which is influenced by
exercise and diet.
Although wild budgerigars
eat grass seeds almost exclusively, avian veterinarians recommend
supplementation with foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, sprouted seeds,
pasta, whole wheat bread and other healthy human foods, as well as pellets
formulated for small parrots. Adding these foods provides additional nutrients
and can prevent obesity and lipomas, as can substituting millet, which is
relatively low in fat, for seeds mixes. Budgerigars do not always adapt readily
to dietary additions, however. Chocolate and avocado are recognized as
potential toxins.[10] Plums, lemons, limes, and members
of the cabbage family are bad for them as well. Recommended fruits and
vegetables are apples, oranges, bananas, strawberries, carrots, unsprayed
lettuces, parsley, peaches and spinach.[1]
Reproduction
The male will stand on
female's back while some beak contact is made between the mates. The male will
then wrap his tail under the female's raised tail, place his cloaca (male
budgerigars have no penis) against hers and rub it back and forth to stimulate ejaculation.
The male may move away for a moment before returning for another session.
Breeding
This
section does not cite its references or sources.
Budgerigars are easily
bred. In the wild, they require a hollow tree or a hollow log, but domesticated
birds use breeding boxes. A hen will lay her eggs on alternate days; after the
first one, there is usually a two-day gap until the next. She will usually lay
between four to twelve eggs, which she will incubate for 17 to 20 days.
When the eggs start to
hatch, the hatchlings are usually quite helpless. During the second week, the
hatchlings' eyes will open, and they will start to develop feather down. After
three weeks, the hatchlings will develop feathers of their genetic colour. This
may take longer than expected, as the parents sometimes pluck the feathers of
their offspring.
By the fifth week, the
hatchlings are strong enough that the parents will be comfortable in
occasionally leaving the box. The hatchlings will stretch their wings to gain
strength before they attempt to fly. They will also help defend the box from
enemies. After the eighth week, the eldest babies should be eating and flying
independently.
Breeding
difficulties
Breeding difficulties arise
for various reasons. Some chicks may die from diseases or attacks by their
parents. Other budgerigars may fight over the nest box, attacking the hen while
she is laying her eggs. Other difficulties can involve inbreeding and minor
colour or feather mutations.
Human
speech
In 2001, budgie owner Ryan
B. Reynolds of Ontario, Canada received much publicity due to his release to
the press of certain recordings of his talking budgie, Victor. In these
recordings, Victor performed what appeared to be "speaking in
context". To the layperson, the recordings appeared to audibly demonstrate
that Victor was able to use his 1000+ word vocabulary to express coherent lines
of thought, meaning and reasoning. Despite the widespread TV, newspaper and
radio publicity the recordings received in 2001, the recordings have yet to be
scientifically analysed.[11].
A budgerigar named Puck
holds the world record for the largest vocabulary of any bird, at 1,728 words. Puck,
owned by American Camille Jordan, died in 1994, with the record first appearing
in the 1995 edition of Guinness World Records. [12] [13]
References
- ^ BirdLife International (2004). Melopsittacus
undulatus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006.
Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why
this species is of least concern
- ^ Dr. Marshall's Philosophy on Breeding
Exhibition Budgerigars. Bird Health (2004). Retrieved on 2007-01-19.
- ^ Online etymology dictionary
- ^ A Reference Dictionary of Gamilaraay
- ^ a b
c d e
f Forshaw, Joseph Michael; William T. Cooper (1973
& 1981). Parrots of the World, 1st and 2nd. ISBN 0-87666-959-3.
- ^ Birds Online - How to tell the sex of a
budgie. Retrieved on 25 April 2006.
- ^ a b
The Wild Budgerigar (article). Retrieved on 25 April 2006.
- ^ Pranty, Bill (1992). Budgerigar: Melopsittacus
undulatus. Florida's Breeding Bird Atlas. Retrieved on 2006-12-28.
- ^ Birds Online - Life span of a budgie. Retrieved
on 26 December 2005.
- ^ Margaret A. Wissman, D.V.M., D.A.B.V.P.. Medical
Conditions and Diseases of the Budgerigar and Cockatiel (article). ExoticPetVet.Net.
Retrieved on 26 April 2006.
- ^ Elvira Cordileone (2006). Are Birds
Trying to Tell Us Things? (article). Toronto Star. Retrieved on 7 May 2006.
publication date: 23 Mar. 2006
- ^ Claire
Folkard (ed.): Guiness World Records 2004. Guinness World Records Limited, p. 54. ISBN
085112-180-2.
- ^ The Bird with the Largest Vocabulary in
the World. Retrieved on 2007-01-06.
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Budgerigar&action=history
Adult
females (left above) have pink to brown ceres while adult males (right above)
have blue ceres.
Appearance
Budgerigars are about 18 cm
long and weigh 30-40 grams. Wild budgerigars have green underparts and rumps,
while the upperparts are barred with black and yellow. The forehead and face is
yellow in adults, and barred black with yellow in young till they change into
their adult plumage at 3-4 months of age. Each cheek has a small dark purple
patch and a series of black spots (called the "necklace") across the
throat. The tail is greenish blue or purple; outside tail feathers have a
central yellow band. Their wings have greenish-black flight feathers and black
coverts with yellow fringes. Bill olive grey and legs greyish blue, with zygodactyl
toes.[5] Wild budgerigars are noticeably smaller
than those in captivity. These parrots have been bred in many other colours in
captivity, such as white, blue, and even purple, although they are mostly found
in pet stores in blue, green and seldomly white.
The colour of the cere (the
area containing the nostrils) differs between the sexes; royal blue in males,
pale-brown to white(non-breeding) or brown (breeding) in females and pink in
immatures of both genders (usually of a more even purplish-pink colour in young
males). Young females can often be identified by a subtle chalky whiteness that
starts around the cere nostril holes. Males that are albinos, lutinos or
recessive pieds usually retain the immature purplish-pink cere color their
entire life. [6][5]
Colour
Mutations
There are presently at
least 32 primary mutations in the budgerigar, enabling hundreds of possible
secondary mutations (stable combined primary mutations) & colour varieties
(unstable combined mutations). Each of these primary mutations falls into one
of four basic groups:
- Albinism, in which eumelanin (dark pigment) is
reduced in all body tissues & structures. It may be complete (a
complete absence of eumelanin) or partial (an incomplete reduction in the
amount of eumelanin).
- Dilutism, in which eumelanin incompletely reduced,
almost exclusively in feathering.
- Leucism, in which all pigmentation is reduced,
almost exclusively in feathering.
- Melanism, in which eumelanin is increased
virtually only in feathering.
Each of these mutations is
inherited in via one of the following dominance relationships:
- Autosomal co-cominant
- Autosomal complete
dominant
- Autosomal incomplete
dominant
- Autosomal recessive
- Autosomal polygenic
- Sex-linked recessive
Because birds have a ZW
sex-determination system, sex-linked recessive phenotypes are more common in
females than in males, rather than the reverse as is found the more familiar XY
determination of humans.
Personality
Young male
budgie of near natural coloration. Budgerigars, especially males, are very tame
house pets.
Budgerigars are, very
generally speaking, accepting of humans and other birds, but should never be
housed with a bird other than another budgerigar. Care should be taken even
when placing two budgies together, as they can do serious harm to one another
if they do not get along. They are relatively easily tamed.
Habitat
and behaviour
Budgerigars are nomadic
birds found in open habitats, primarily in Australian scrubland, open woodland
and grassland. The birds are normally found in small flocks, but can form very
large flocks under favourable conditions. The species is extremely nomadic and
the movement of the flocks is tied to the availability of food and water.[5] Drought can drive flocks into more wooded habitat
or coastal areas. They feed on the seeds of spinifex, grass weeds, and
sometimes ripening wheat. [7][5].
Feral birds have been found
since the 1940s in the St. Petersburg, Florida area of the United States, but
are much less common than they were in the early 1980s. Colder than normal
winter temperatures in some years and increased competition from European
Starlings are the main reasons for the declining population.[8]
Breeding takes place
generally between June and September in the North and between August and
January in the South but they are opportunistic breeders responding to the rains
when grass seeds become most abundant.[5]
Populations in some areas have increased as a result of increased water
availability at farms. The nest is in a hole in a tree, fence post or even a
log laying on the ground; the 4-6 eggs are incubated for 17-19 days, with the
young fledging about 30 days after hatching.[7][5]
Both male and female
budgerigars sing and can learn to mimic sounds, although both singing and
mimicry are more pronounced in males.
Captivity
Pet budgerigars.
Budgerigar
hen
The budgerigar is one of
the few parrots to be domesticated as a pet. Believed to be the most common pet
parrot in the world, it has been bred in captivity since the 1850s. Breeders
have worked over the decades to produce a wide range of colour and feather
mutations, such as yellow, blue, white, violet, olive, albino and lutino
(yellow), clearwing and spangled. Feather mutations can produce crests or overly
long shaggy feathers known as "feather dusters".
Modern show budgerigars,
also called English budgerigars, are larger than their wild cousins,
with puffy head feathers, giving them an exaggerated look. The eyes and beak
can be almost totally obscured by feathers. Such birds are reported to be more
prone to genetic mutations because of inbreeding. Most budgerigars in the pet
trade are not of the show variety and are similar in size and body conformation
to wild budgerigars.
A blue male
budgerigar in captivity
Budgerigars can be taught
to speak, whistle tunes, and play with humans. They are intelligent and social
animals and enjoy the stimulation of toys and interaction with humans as well
as with other budgerigars. A common behaviour is the chewing of material such
as wood, especially for female budgerigars.
Female
white budgerigar. This is not an albino because it lacks the red eyes.
In captivity, budgerigars
live an average of five to eight years, but are reported to occasionally live
to 15 if well cared for [9]. The life span depends on
the budgerigar's breed (show budgerigars typically do not live as long as the
common budgerigars) and the individual bird's health, which is influenced by
exercise and diet.
Although wild budgerigars
eat grass seeds almost exclusively, avian veterinarians recommend
supplementation with foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, sprouted seeds,
pasta, whole wheat bread and other healthy human foods, as well as pellets
formulated for small parrots. Adding these foods provides additional nutrients
and can prevent obesity and lipomas, as can substituting millet, which is
relatively low in fat, for seeds mixes. Budgerigars do not always adapt readily
to dietary additions, however. Chocolate and avocado are recognized as
potential toxins.[10] Plums, lemons, limes, and members
of the cabbage family are bad for them as well. Recommended fruits and
vegetables are apples, oranges, bananas, strawberries, carrots, unsprayed
lettuces, parsley, peaches and spinach.[1]
Reproduction
The male will stand on
female's back while some beak contact is made between the mates. The male will
then wrap his tail under the female's raised tail, place his cloaca (male
budgerigars have no penis) against hers and rub it back and forth to stimulate ejaculation.
The male may move away for a moment before returning for another session.
Breeding
This
section does not cite its references or sources.
Budgerigars are easily
bred. In the wild, they require a hollow tree or a hollow log, but domesticated
birds use breeding boxes. A hen will lay her eggs on alternate days; after the
first one, there is usually a two-day gap until the next. She will usually lay
between four to twelve eggs, which she will incubate for 17 to 20 days.
When the eggs start to
hatch, the hatchlings are usually quite helpless. During the second week, the
hatchlings' eyes will open, and they will start to develop feather down. After
three weeks, the hatchlings will develop feathers of their genetic colour. This
may take longer than expected, as the parents sometimes pluck the feathers of
their offspring.
By the fifth week, the
hatchlings are strong enough that the parents will be comfortable in
occasionally leaving the box. The hatchlings will stretch their wings to gain
strength before they attempt to fly. They will also help defend the box from
enemies. After the eighth week, the eldest babies should be eating and flying
independently.
Breeding
difficulties
Breeding difficulties arise
for various reasons. Some chicks may die from diseases or attacks by their
parents. Other budgerigars may fight over the nest box, attacking the hen while
she is laying her eggs. Other difficulties can involve inbreeding and minor
colour or feather mutations.
Human
speech
In 2001, budgie owner Ryan
B. Reynolds of Ontario, Canada received much publicity due to his release to
the press of certain recordings of his talking budgie, Victor. In these
recordings, Victor performed what appeared to be "speaking in
context". To the layperson, the recordings appeared to audibly demonstrate
that Victor was able to use his 1000+ word vocabulary to express coherent lines
of thought, meaning and reasoning. Despite the widespread TV, newspaper and
radio publicity the recordings received in 2001, the recordings have yet to be
scientifically analysed.[11].
A budgerigar named Puck
holds the world record for the largest vocabulary of any bird, at 1,728 words. Puck,
owned by American Camille Jordan, died in 1994, with the record first appearing
in the 1995 edition of Guinness World Records. [12] [13]
References
- ^ BirdLife International (2004). Melopsittacus
undulatus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006.
Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why
this species is of least concern
- ^ Dr. Marshall's Philosophy on Breeding
Exhibition Budgerigars. Bird Health (2004). Retrieved on 2007-01-19.
- ^ Online etymology dictionary
- ^ A Reference Dictionary of Gamilaraay
- ^ a b
c d e
f Forshaw, Joseph Michael; William T. Cooper (1973
& 1981). Parrots of the World, 1st and 2nd. ISBN 0-87666-959-3.
- ^ Birds Online - How to tell the sex of a
budgie. Retrieved on 25 April 2006.
- ^ a b
The Wild Budgerigar (article). Retrieved on 25 April 2006.
- ^ Pranty, Bill (1992). Budgerigar: Melopsittacus
undulatus. Florida's Breeding Bird Atlas. Retrieved on 2006-12-28.
- ^ Birds Online - Life span of a budgie. Retrieved
on 26 December 2005.
- ^ Margaret A. Wissman, D.V.M., D.A.B.V.P.. Medical
Conditions and Diseases of the Budgerigar and Cockatiel (article). ExoticPetVet.Net.
Retrieved on 26 April 2006.
- ^ Elvira Cordileone (2006). Are Birds
Trying to Tell Us Things? (article). Toronto Star. Retrieved on 7 May 2006.
publication date: 23 Mar. 2006
- ^ Claire
Folkard (ed.): Guiness World Records 2004. Guinness World Records Limited, p. 54. ISBN
085112-180-2.
- ^ The Bird with the Largest Vocabulary in
the World. Retrieved on 2007-01-06.