Today's Aboriginal people of Australia no longer eat these birds. The first budgies were brought to Europe over a hundred years ago where their popularity as cage birds grew. Eventually due to massive exportation, Australia severely limited the number of birds that could leave the country. Consequently, breeding efforts expanded to allow meeting the ever increasing demand for these charming pets. Arrival in Europe England has for centuries been know for their animal husbandry and improvement of a given species.
Examples are dogs, cattle and horses.
The Budgerigar is no exception. Soon after their arrival the English soon attempted to improve the species. Through selective breeding the English have produced a race of birds that are more robust, and awesome. This was for the improvement of deportment, carriage, conformation, variety and size, the purpose of which is to establish this bird as an excellent exhibition species. Well others have also pursued the breeding of this bird, however their efforts are mainly to produce stock for the pet trade.