Budgerigar | Invasive Species Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia The budgerigar is natvie to Australia, where it is present throughout much of the interior. [1] Introduced Range Edit The budgerigar has become established in much of Florida. It's established range is greatest on, but not restricted to, Florida's western Gulf Coast. [2] These populations may be falling due to competition with other birds, including another introduced species, the European starling . The budgerigar has also become established in much of Japan, in the prefectures of Niigati, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagwa, Yamnashi, Shizouka, Nagano, Aichi, Mie, Shiga, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Okayama, Kochi, Oita and Miyazaki. [3] The budgerigar has also been introduced to South Africa, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Puerto Rico but have not become established in these countries.

[1] Pathways and Introduction Edit The budgerigar is extremely popular as a pet and as a result has been sold in many countires.[3/4] Budgerigars have been present in Florida since at least the 1940s, when they were first seen in the city of Saint Petersburg.[5] Budgerigars were first brought to Great Britain in 1840. It is likely that escaped or hitchhiking animals travelled on ships from Australia to the UK, although the first sightings in the wild were not until 1970 in Tresco.[4] Where Is the Parakeet Bird From? - Pets Pets Where Is the Parakeet Bird From? by Susan Revermann There are numerous parakeet species around the world. Although your parakeet is home when he is with you, you may be wondering where he actually came from -- and no, the pet store is not the answer to that question. This happy, social birdie could have come from a wide variety of places. Basic Info Parakeets are one of the most popular birds that are brought home in this country.

He is part of the parrot family, ranging in size from 7 to 18 inches long, and considered to be a small- to medium-sized parrot. If you hear people refer to your winged friend as budgie or budgerigar, don’t be offended -- he goes by those names as well. You can expect your parakeet to be in the family for 10 or 15 years. That is if he has been living a healthy and happy life. Poor diet and accidents may shorten this time, of course. Origins There are more than 120 different species of parakeets, with many sub-species, and you will find them all around the globe. They tend to like the warmth and live in the tropical and subtropical parts of the world, often in jungle regions. The main areas you will find them in are Australia, Central America and South America. However, you will also find them in Africa, New Zealand and across Asia. The varieties that you find in North America were brought here from all over the world.

How to Find Out Since your parakeet could have come from pretty much anywhere under the sun, the best way to find out is to ask your vet or someone at the pet store. They should be able to give you a good idea of where he originated from by his coloring and size. Living and Mating in the Wild Regardless of their native land, parakeets do share some similar traits. They live in colonies when they are in the wild, thus continuing their love for socializing. When it comes to mating, however, they do form monogamous pairs. Behavior and Temperament If you were hoping your parakeet’s temperament or vocalizations would give you a clue to his origin, sadly it doesn’t help much. They are all social, active and like to talk, with a wide range for vocalizations. They adapt well to new surroundings once they are allowed to get comfortable. Budgerigar Facts | budgerigar Message: Budgerigar Facts It's easy to fall in love with a budgerigar. For one thing, the moment when it first makes the leap from its perch to your finger is magical. It's proof that your bird has bonded with you and has come to trust you.

Later, when your precious budgie begins to repeat the words and phrases that you've been reciting to it, the experience can be funny and touching at the same time. Now, not every budgie will speak, but those that do are often stunningly good at it. They can have relatively big vocabularies and are able to pronounce words clearly. In addition, the similarities between budgies and human beings are startling. Those beautiful creatures enjoy singing, stretching, scratching, snacking, and napping, and they can chatter away when they're around people and fellow birds. Indeed, they really draw energy from other budgies just as we might become enthusiastic when we're around our friends. What's more, if you usually spend quite a while in front of the mirror before heading out, you'll appreciate how your budgerigar can groom itself for long periods of time. On top of that, if you own a couple of budgerigars, you'll understand why scientists describe this animal as monogamous. Yes, those two will be inseparable, and they'll often straighten and clean one another's feathers with tenderness. Children tend to adore budgerigars. Youngsters identify with their friskiness and talkativeness.

Plus, when a budgie accepts a morsel from a child's hand, he or she might burst out in laughter and feel a surge of pride. In short, budgies ― which can see colors, count as high as three, and possess as many as 3,000 feathers ― are astounding. If you're intrigued by what you've read so far, you're sure to find the following budgie facts to be equally compelling.

Genus: Melopsittacus Alternate Names: Budgie, parakeet, canary parrot, lovebird, shell parakeet, grass parakeet and scallop parrot Height: Approximately 7 inches Weight: 1 ounce to 1.4 ounces Wingspan: 10-14 inches Common Coloring: Light-green feathers, yellow face, blue-gray legs and black striping Color Variations and Mutations: Violet, albino, blue, gray-green, clearwing, gray-winged, spangled and opaline Distinctive Features: Fluorescent pigmentation in feathers, scalloped patterns on bodies, two forward-facing toes, two backward-facing toes and spotted throats Special Traits: The ability to see ultraviolet colors, remarkably strong beaks and the ability to twist their heads 180 degrees Characteristics of Domestic and Show Budgerigars: Can be twice as big as wild budgies, have more interesting color variations and may have larger heads with crests and puffier feathers Gender Differences: The blue upper beak of the males and the brown one of the females First Description on Record: Made by botanist George Shaw in 1805 First in Captivity: During the 18

50s Conservation Status Ranking: Least concern Main Enemies: Birds of prey, snakes and hunters Average Lifespan: 5-10 years Flight Preference: Typically in large flocks Habitat: Grasslands, woodlands and hot, arid and dry areas across the continent of Australia Foraging Habits: Migratory flights across the plains and long-distant searches for food Nesting Behaviors: Several couples bringing up chicks in colonies and chewing holes in trees rather than making nests for egg laying Nesting Preferences: Eucalyptus trees Domestic Nesting Preferences: A wooden box Social Behaviors: Require stimulation, are highly sociable, curious and playful, and love to be near other budgies in the wild and in domestic situations Diet in the Wild: Grass seeds, wheat, wild millet and insects Diet in Captivity: Grains such as flax, couscous, oats, barley, millet and wild rice, vegetables and occasionally nuts and legumes Mating: Usually monogamous, showing affection by feeding and preening each other Breeding: Will breed in the wild where there is easy access to food and water, often after long rain periods Incubation: Done by the female for approximately three weeks Laying Eggs: Typically five

 or six eggs in a batch coming at different intervals Hatched Eggs: Babies born blind and need food, care and warmth from mother Fledgling Development: Open eyes around 10 days, develop actual feathers around three weeks, become more independent and active around five weeks and can leave the nest by six weeks Intelligence: Highly intelligent, can learn tricks and can whistle and mimic words and phrases Communication with Other Birds: Speak to each other by using a wide range of loud warbles Healthy Behaviors: Shredding or chewing things to file down teeth, preening and fluffing the feathers, grinding their beaks, stretching, yawning throughout the day and being very active Common Ailments: Molting, scaly legs or face, tumors, respiratory and digestive symptoms related to parrot fever, goiter, infection or inflammation of the foot and polyomavirus, which is a disease that affects new chicks Unique Features of the Females: Occasionally will eat her eggs, can lay unfertilized eggs that never hatch, will fight with other females in close quarters and rarely leaves during the incubation period The Budgerigar Parakeet The Budgerigar Parakeet Other Common Names: Budgie, Budgerigar, English Budgie, American Budgie

 Scientific Name: Melopstiiacus undulatus Relative Size: Smaller Than Average Average Lifespan: 7 years Compatibility: Relatively Non-Aggressive Category: Parrots The Budgerigar is one of the most loved parrots around the world.

And it's no surprise why. They are smart, affectionate, and beautiful. The Budgie can make a wonderful addition to any home. The Budgerigar, also known as the "Budgie" or "Parakeet", comes in a wide spectrum of color variations and many varieties. There are English and American varieties of budgies in addition the to budgies from their native country, Australia. The English Budgie is larger than its Australian and American counterparts and is most commonly seen in shows. They are a lot less active than their American cousins. The American versions are those most commonly seen in pet stores in the United States and Canada. The budgie is perhaps best loved for its friendly personality. These affectionate parrots give as much love as they like to receive. Some budgies are also excellent talkers. Their voices are not as distinct as those of the larger parrots, but one might be surprised how well these little parrots can talk. There is of course no guarantee your budgie will talk, but do not be surprised if he begins to mimic whistles and other household noises. Another engaging trait of the budgie is his ease of training.

There are many methods of training and the budgie seems to respond quite well to all of them. Just remember to give your budgie time to adjust in his new home before you begin training. Many claim that males and females are easily distinguished by the color of their ceres (the area above their beaks). The cere of the female is brown, reddish, white or light beige, while the males usually have a blue cere. Many times, however, it is not possible to distinguish sexes based on cere color alone. Both sexes of some varieties, such as the Inos and the Fallow, have the same color cere. The small size of the budgie is another appealing feature to many parakeet owners. An adult budgie will be approximately seven inches in length (18 centimeters). Budgerigars in the wild are social birds, traveling in a variety of flock sizes. Small flocks can number in the 100s, while some have noted budgie flocks of over 25,000. Like domestic budgies, their wild counterparts are placid, even tempered, and outgoing. It is rare to see wild budgies quarrelling with each other.

These wild budgies are not shy and are often easily approachable. Their natural diet consists of grass seeds, eucalyptus leaves, buds, bark, millet, and a variety of greens. First discovered in 1805, the Budgerigar originates in Australia, but has quickly become a worldwide favorite. Because of the Budgerigar's immense popularity he is known by many names throughout the world. In his native Australia he is called "Bedgerigah", the French call them "Perruche Ondulee", the Dutch have named them "Grasparkiet", in Italy they are called Parrochetto. The Norwegiens and Swedish have named them Undulat, while the Germans call them "Wellensittich". Lastly, the Greeks call them "Papagalaki", and the Portuguese word for Budgerigar is "Periquito". It is important to feed your Budgerigar a well balanced diet. Many also recommend dietary supplements. Talk with your veterinarian about the correct diet and supplements. One of the leading causes of early death in pet budgies is improper nutrition.

The other six main causes of illnesses in budgies are molds, parasites (including scaly face, feather lice, coccidiosis, ornithosis, and red mites), viral infections, poisoning, shock, and respiratory diseases. Budgies should be housed in cages that provide plenty of space for movement. 16 inches x 16 inches x18 inches is the minimum size that a single budgie should be housed in. Multiple birds will need a larger cage. Budgies (Melopsittacus undulates) Species Profile: American and English Budgerigar Budgies (Melopsittacus undulates) Species Profile: American and English Budgerigar Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith Email Article Budgerigars are often, and mistakenly, referred to as parakeets. Originating in Australia, Budgies were imported to England where breeders took painstaking measures to develop color strains and bloodlines that were as pure as possible. As a result, English Budgies are often referred to as an Exhibition Budgie. What is commonly referred to as the American Budgie is considered in the trade to be more of a pet than a breeder exhibiting pure lines.

They are the same species and both are a good deal larger than their native Australian counterparts. The Budgie, called "bet-cher-ga" by the Aborigines, was a favorite menu item in their native land. Betcherga literally means "good to eat." Extensive exportation of the Budgie resulted in Australia's limiting the number of birds allowed to leave the country. This has stimulated, over the years, extensive breeding programs all over the world to support a market for one of the most popular of all pet birds. The average cost of a Budgerigar can range from $10 to $100; the cost is generally higher for an English Budgie. Quick Stats: Budgerigar Origin: Western Australia, New South Whales, Victoria Size: 6"-8" Coloration: Green in the wild; however, extreme range of color variations exist among pet birds Diet: 65-80% pelleted food, 15-30% vegetables, and 5% fruits. Use many varieties of fruits and vegetables, washed thoroughly. See Basic Nutrition for Psittacines (Parrot Family) for more information.

Cage Size: Width is more important than height; the bigger the better as long as bar spacing is not greater than 5/8". Grooming: Trim nails and beak (although beak trims may not be necessary). Compatibility/Disposition: Social; however, patience is necessary in acclimating to handling and acquiring trust. Best to acquire at an early age, but not younger than 4 weeks. Vocalization: Males are excellent talkers and can develop quite extensive vocabularies, some may whistle; females are often less vocal. Playfulness: Play with toys and shiny objects. Require flock and/or human interaction, especially if only keeping one. Life Span: 6-18 years Age at Maturity: 6 months Nesting Sites in the Wild: Tree hollows, especially decaying eucalyptus. Breeding Season: August to December, although often breeds opportunistically. Sexing: Male: Cere is lavender to dark blue. Female: Cere is pinkish-brown to light blue. Special: Unlike most parrots, prefers to eat on floor of cage (in a bowl). Are prone to obesity.

Parakeet Habitat - Pets Pets by Jasey Kelly Mimicking their natural habitat will make your budgie extremely happy! The common parakeet, or budgerigar, is a favorite birdie pet because of its compact size, color, inquisitiveness and all-around good attitude. These guys love being part of the family, especially when they're given the opportunity to do things they would in their native Australia. Native Habitat The colorful little budgies you talk to and play with every day are native to Australia, despite the fact they do so well in captivity. While they inhabit the entire Australian continent except for certain coastal areas in the far east and southwest corners, they favor the drier, hotter interior of the country. In the wild, flocks of budgies favor open areas such as grasslands, scrublands and open woodlands, but they'll always be close to a body of water. Natural Behaviors Wild budgerigar habitat is based largely on the availability of food and water. As ground-foragers, these little parrots thoroughly enjoy taking the seeds from grasses and crops, particularly tussock grasses and spinifex.

In the wild, budgies don't need any other food source because these seeds are so energy-rich, with as many calories as animal tissue! This is why you might notice your pet parakeet spending time on the floor of their cage -- it's a natural feeding behavior. The need for water is large partly due to the fact that an adult budgie will drink approximately 5 1/2 percent of its body weight daily! Migrations to the north are often based on the need to find more water and an available food source. Introductions into New Areas Because of their exquisite ability to provide companionship to humans, budgies have been introduced as pets to New Zealand, Japan, Africa, Europe and the United States, among other places. Only one other area in the world has known feral populations of budgies, though: St. Petersburg, Florida. They've been recorded there since the 1940s, although their populations are slowly declining. Captive Habitats Setting up your budgie's cage to mimic his natural behavior is beneficial to your feathered friend! Just because the cage you see in a pet store says "Perfect for Budgies" or something similar doesn't mean it's truly ideal.

These little birds love to both fly and climb, so height and length are equally important. In the wild they play on branches, tall grasses and similar items; mimic these with various textured perches, bird swings and toys they can interact with. Keep in mind -- the bigger the cage, the better. The Natural Habitat of Parakeets The Natural Habitat of Parakeets The Natural Habitat of Parakeets May 6, 2010 By: Barbara Bean-Mellinger Parakeets are small to medium-sized parrots with long tails. More than 120 species and sub-species of parakeets -- with names like Indian ringneck parakeet and Alexandrine parakeet -- originated in different parts of the world, ranging from Asia to South America, all having different habitats. However, the bird referred to in the U.S. simply as parakeet, or the common parakeet, is the one most often kept as a pet. It originated in Australia, where it is called a budgerigar or budgie.

Nests in Trees Parakeets live in the wilds of Australia in what is called the outback, a vast area of desert, woodlands, grasslands and open scrub far from the densely populated cities. Unlike most birds, parakeets do not make nests. Instead, they like to nest in hollow cavities of trees like the eucalyptus tree. Being social birds, they expect that other parakeets will also nest in different cavities of the same tree. By staying together in a flock or colony, they all look out for predators and warn other parakeets when danger is nearby. Hot, Dry Climate Australia is the second-driest continent, next to Antarctica. What little rain it receives occurs mostly during the wet season, which varies from one region to another. The rest of the year the riverbeds are dry; so parakeets must often travel long distances -- as far as 30 miles or so -- to find food and water. You may see them in the early morning drinking dewdrops and "bathing" in the moisture they find on the leaves of trees. Then they fly as a flock in search of food.

When chicks are newly hatched, the adult female stays with them in the nest while the male forages for food. After a week or so, the female joins the male in the hunt for food. At about six weeks of age, the chicks will forage for their own food with the flock. Grasses and Seeds Grass seeds are one of the parakeet's favorite foods, including seeds of spinifex, Mitchell's and Tussock's grasses, wild oats and canary grass. They also eat wild millet and farm crops such as wheat. During the rainy season, they search for newly sprouted green grasses. Once the flock has eaten the available grass seeds in one area, they move on together to another location, living a nomadic lifestyle following their food supply. During dry seasons, parakeets can go for long spells without water because they get water from the food they eat. They also chew on tree leaves and bark to get moisture. When they find a large water source -- such as a pond or puddles -- they may descend on it in huge numbers. Berries and Bugs When food is plentiful, parakeets in Australia find berries to eat. Colorful berries attract them, but they primarily eat the berry seeds.

Parakeets are ground foragers -- also called grass parrots -- because they are among the parrots that forage on or close to the ground. They are more likely to find low berry bushes and berries that have fallen to the ground than high up in the trees. When food is not as plentiful, parakeets in the wild will eat insects, too, although they are primarily vegetarians. Back to the Trees When day is done, after the parakeets have flown far, foraged for food and eaten their fill, large numbers roost together in tree branches. Before going to sleep, flock mates twitter and chatter softly in a bedtime ritual. Like cute animals? Follow Cuteness.com on Facebook for more AWWs and LOLs. Related Articles Budgerigar Council of Tasmania - BCT Library Welcome to the BCT Library this page contains all articles, pictures, survey results, and other information relating to Budgerigars. To navigate your way around the library use the links down the right hand side of the screen. ANBC National 2009 Archive - Burnie The Australian National Budgerigar Championships were once again hosted in Tasmania during May 2009 in Bernie.

To view the archived National 2009 pages CLICK HERE . You can also access the full set of results & pictures from the 2009 National at the Live Results Feed Site. ANBC National 2002 Archive - Hobart The Australian National Budgerigar Championships were hosted in Tasmania during May 2002 in Hobart. To view the archived National 2002 pages CLICK HERE . The Origin of the Budgerigar Budgerigars also known as Melopsittacus Undulatus, are native to the country of Australia and are found in the wild in Western, Central, North Western, and South Australia and also in New South Wales and Queensland, but are absent in the state of Tasmania. In the wild the Budgerigar is only found in one variety, which is the Light Green Normal variety.

The name Budgerigar comes from a Aboriginal term which when translated means 'good bird,' or 'good food.' Sexing the Budgerigar (under 12 weeks) Cere is flat and has white around the nostrils * The cock budgerigar of the following varieties have a bold cere which is light pink in colour: Lutino, Albino, Lacewings, Recessive Pieds. ** It is often difficult to decide the sex of a young budgerigar under the age of 12 weeks Budgerigar Colour Chart Please Note: For best results with this chart, have your computer set to 256 Colours or High Colour (16-bit). Why Join a Bird Club? This question has been asked many times. Here are what we believe to be the benefits of joining your local Club or Society. 1. Most clubs are run by people with the same interest as your. 2. Free Information is available for e.g: [a] birdkeeping information and tips [b] feeding [c] health care information for your birds [d] improving your stock [e] membership gives access to purchasing rings [f] aviary designs [g] club Library [h] breeding tips 3.

Clubs have a wealth of information which has been passed down over the years and many breeders are keen to share with new members. 4. It also enables you to purchase quality bloodlines which are proven winners at the time. Top breeders are more inclined to sell surplus birds from their good stock to club members. 5. Enables you to start exhibiting your birds at shows. This is the quickest path to improving your stock, as you constantly are having your birds compared to others. 6. Become an Office Bearer - for those willing to do so over many years we have found this to be very beneficial as you are always at the forefront of the hobby and part of the decision making processes. 7. All clubs have judges training courses which can lead eventually to becoming state/national accredited judges. 8. Friendship - many lifelong friendships have had their beginnings at a local bird club meeting. As you can see we have only just touched on the subject, so why not seek out and join your local club and become part of a world wide hobby of breeding Budgerigars. Breeding and Feeding in the Wild In the wild the Budgerigars breeding habits are dictated by nature. By this we mean they only breed when feed is plentiful.

Whole breeding colonies of thousands of birds have been known to abandon their nest comprising both eggs and young and move to a new location because their food supply has been exhausted. The wild budgerigars feed exclusively on seeding grasses. If drought conditions exist or bush fires destroy the feeding grounds the flock will move on to another location and start again, this results in the loss of many thousands of young birds. The birds usually nest in what is known as Mallee (Eucalyptus or as they are better known 'Gum Trees'). They seek out every hollow that is to be found and some large hollows can have up to five breeding pairs in them, each pair usually lay four to five eggs per clutch. Breeding and Feeding for Exhibition Breeding in captivity is not very difficult but it can be testing at times. This I believe is because we have changed the domesticated bird dramatically from that found in the wild. In our endeavour to breed the champion bird for exhibition we have changed the structure of the bird. The birds are now much larger in size ( 225 mm for exhibition birds compared to 192 mm in the wild).

Their feathering has been lengthened and encouraged to grow in what is called directional feathering, this means the feathers do not follow the contour of the body as the do in the wild. This gives the appearance of a much bigger bird especially around the head area. This is not usually a problem with the cock budgerigar but in large hens it can be a major problem. (The changes to the domesticated bird are discussed in the next article.) At the F1 Stud we feed a commercially produced seed mixtures comprising: Plain Canary Seed 50%, White French Millet, Panicum, Jap Millet and Vitamins A, D3, and E all coated lightly with vegetable oil. To this we add small portions of Hulled Oats and Black Sunflower. The birds are given fresh Silver Beet every day. Carrots including tops, Apples, Sweetcorn cobs and wild seeding grasses, and especially chick weed are fed on a regular basis. When feeding young the breeding pairs are also given sprouted seeds comprising feed oats, black sunflower and mung beans every morning as well as soaked hulled oats. Chicken carcasses are thrown into the aviaries - the birds love them so much that they demolish all but the large bones.

Changes in the Domesticated Budgerigar As mentioned in Issue 1 the structure of the bird has changed dramatically over the last fifty years since fanciers around the world have been breeding this fantastic little bird. We have seen an increase in length by 33 mm as well as the body structure which has increased to the extent that the modern exhibition Budgerigar is now twice the width of the wild specimen. The changes don't stop there because the length of feather has also increased and the amount of underdown has thickened substantially. This is all well and good for exhibiting of birds, as these changes are very pleasing to the eye and with the overall standard around the world getting closer together. But with these changes we have seen problems developing in breeding, not so much with the big bold cock birds, but with the beautiful big hen birds, we have found that the best way to use these hens for breeding is when they are at about 6 months of age. If you can get more than one season out of them [count it as a bonus] as after 6 months you may have trouble getting any chicks from her. Other problems that have surfaced because of these structural changes.

These being feathers growing on the legs and feet, more weepy eye problems and the birds flight pattern is changing because of the amount of head feathering. Some birds have difficulty in seeing straight ahead without tilting their head from side to side, which in turn causes their flight pattern to alter. Although I am sure that none of us would go back in time, our challenge remains to try and get all varieties up to the one standard and of course to breed the elusive black or red budgerigar.

Sections of the Budgerigar 1 - Spots, 2 - Bib, 3 - Beak, 4 - Cere, 5 - Eye, 6 - Frontal, 7 - Topskull (Crown), 8 - Backskull, 9 - Neck, 10 - Ear, 11 - Cheek Patch, 12 - Mantle, 13 - Back Proper, 14 - Rump, 15 - Tail, 16 - Flights, 17 - Legs & Feet, 18 - Wing, 19 - Wing Butts, 20 - Front Line Build your own Budgerigar Nest Box Below are some pictures of the nest boxes we use at the F1 Stud Avery in Tasmania: If you would like to see the measurements then CLICK HERE , to download the measurement image right-click the picture and select Save Image as... Breeding & Exhibiting Yellow Faces Many Breeders today have never seen a true yellow face, commonly called Australian Yellow Face or Golden Face. Good examples of these birds are rare today as most breeders now concentrate on the English Yellow Face [Cream Face]. Australian Yellow Face Type 1 Commonly called single factor.

Usually appear as good coloured when young but when they moult most develop a yellow wash down through the chest and in the tail secondaries. Breeding: Type 1 x white-faced bird = 50% type 1 yellow face 50% white face [does not carry yellow face] Type 1 x type 1 = 25% type 2 yellow face 50% type 1 yellow face 25% white face [no yellow face carried] Type 2 Commonly called double factor. Good examples of these do not have the yellow wash down through chest area. Experienced breeders can pick type 2 from type 1 by the under colour of the secondary flight feathers, (Double factors have white markings in this area, while single factors are yellow in colour). Non experienced breeders have to test mate them. Type 2 x white face = 100% type 1 yellow face Type 2 x type 1 = 50% type 2 50% type 1 Type 2 x type 2 = 100% type 2 yellow face Common faults of these varieties are poor colouring. Achieving the desired expectation from matings.

Birds appeared to be long necked. English Yellow Face - Cream Face As I mentioned before these birds have almost wiped out the true Australian Yellow Face. Cream Face x white face = 50% cream face = 50% white face Cream Face x cream face = 50% cream face 50% white face [double factor cream face] White face double factor x white face = 100% cream face Common faults of these varieties are yellow wash down chest area of those of blue colouring. Most good examples of these are bred through the grey variety. As breeders of these birds for many years the best colour contrast is obtained from using normal grey. Good examples can be seen when dark factor blues are introduced. For a truly beautiful bird try breeding a spangle yellow face opaline cinnamon grey, they are very pleasing to the eye. Incubating Budgie Eggs We had a question regarding "Incubating Budgerigar Eggs", at the time we did not know of any method for achieving this, but we recently received a reply from a reader that has successfully achieved this.

Here's the original question again and the new reply: Incubating Budgie Eggs What is the most successful way to artificially incubate and hatch budgie eggs? What is the best container to hold the eggs? Would an aquarium work? What is the right temperature and humidity in order for the eggs to hatch? - Brenda Watson Re: Incubating Budgie Eggs I have successfully incubated budgie eggs at 98 ºF (36.67 ºC) and 70% humidity they must be turned at least 6 times per 24 hours - Andy Spence Exhibition Budgerigar - Year Round Feeding Points to remember when deciding to breed and exhibit Budgerigars In the wild [a] They are ground feeding seed eating birds [b] They breed only when feed, water are plentiful [c] When nature dictates that these are not available they stop breeding and move on. In captivity The birds are still subjected to the rule of nature so we must create an artificial environment for our breeding and show seasons feeding is a major factor in creating these environments. At the F1 Stud Our birds are fed a variety of seeds and supplements depending on what is happening.

We break the year into three seasons: [a] Breeding - late August to late January [b] Showing - from February to June [c] Rest & recreation - mid June to late August Breeding Season Budgerigar Breeders Mix (50% canary) Shell Grit Tree Branches [aviary]- Gum Tree Meat & Chicken bones [aviary] Start increasing amount of seed given. New tree branches weekly. Remember you will only get out of this hobby what you are prepared to put in. Moving House with your Stud Moving from an existing well established Aviary [20 years old] to no aviary only a large tin shed. How this was accomplished! * With a Stud of approximately 200 Budgerigars and at the end of the Show Season with 2 pairs still breeding. * An extension was built onto an existing shed approx. 6 metres x 6 metres with concrete floor making it completely mouse proof. * All cages were to come. * Travel distance for moving was approximately ½ hour. * Birds were transported in a specially designed Budgerigar travel cage with 40 separate small cages, which held 4 birds each and then folded together making the environment dark for travel.

* For the 2 pairs still breeding [with very new babies]. The nest boxes were attached to 2 old show cages and transported [with both hens not even leaving the nest] and reattached to breeding cages at new residence. * All birds were housed in training type cages within the tin shed. * Building commenced  all walls were lined and insulated [for the purpose to prevent cold in winter and against heat in summer.]. * An indoor flight was built with plans for an extension of an outdoor flight to be attached and various other amenities to be added at a later date. * Breeding cages have been set up and birds now have been paired ready for breeding. * This has taken approximately 2 months and we look forward to a good breeding season in our new environment. Breeding in a New Environment  the Pitfalls and Advantages Well, the breeding season is fast drawing to a close and this being a short season due to the moving and building of the breeding room etc. our numbers are down on past seasons, our season usually runs for six months, this one has been for only three months.

The new environment has worked well even though it is not finished, the birds have adapted to the change with no significant failures apart from the normal ones of getting those birds of superior quality to breed. In retrospect if we had our time over again, we would try to move in the non breeding season, this would give the birds more time to settle in and become accustomed to the new housing and possibly come into their natural breeding condition. The good news is we have bred some Quality birds which after they moult should be competitive on the show bench, we will give an update on the youngsters in the next issue. The Basic Requirements for your Budgerigar [1] FOOD A good quality Budgerigar Mix, ie a premium mix is desirable. Budgerigars will also appreciate seeds added to this diet such as hulled oats and sunflower seeds, in small quantities. when the bird moults [especially the first moult at 3 months of age], the extra oils and carbohydrates provided by these seeds assist with the growth of new feathers. At moulting time extra canary seed [for protein] is also desirable, as feathers are mostly protein and canary seeds being high in protein will help new growth.

Remember to check seed is always available, and blow the seed husks off the dish. [2] WATER A clean supply changed daily is required. Birds will also bathe if water is placed in a dish on the floor of the cage. Water helps new feathers grow, helping to soften pin feathers Water also assists in preening, keeping feathers clean and stimulating oil placement by the bird. [3] SHELL GRIT All birds require grit as they have no teeth. They use the grit to help crush seed in the digestive process. A regular supply is necessary. Beach sand, shell grit, fine river gravel must be clean. Give a varied supply from different sources. Grit is available at pet shops. [4] CALCIUM SUPPLY Cuttle fish bone should always be available to your bird. If this is unavailable calcium bells are easily obtained from pet shops. [5] EXTRAS [i] Silver beet [ii] Carrot [iii] apple [iv] bread [v] chicken bones [vi] wild seeding grasses [6] EXERCISE Your bird should be allowed to fly once a day if possible. The cage should have enough space for the birds to be able to fly or hover.

Do not clutter the cage with toys. [7] SUNSHINE Provide indirect light such as broken sunshine or partial sunlight to the bird cage. Do not cook the bird by leaving it in full sunshine either inside or out. Generally where you would be comfortable applies to the bird. [8] SECURITY Keep a peg on the door and make sure cats cannot knock the cage over. Keep an eye on your bird if placed outside. [9] CLEANLINESS Clean the cage, perches, and dishes at regular intervals, e.g. every 1 or 2 weeks. [10] DO NOT 1. DO NOT keep the bird in a cold draughty place. 2. DO NOT let the bird fly with electrical items such as heaters or fans operating in your house. Also water is dangerous as the bird could drown, e.g. baths, sinks, etc. Pull curtains closed as birds may fly into the glass if they do not know the house or are frightened. 3. DO NOT purchase cane bird cages as budgies can eat them and get out.

Culling Birds Here are the NECESSARY ESSENTIALS to look at when culling your Budgerigars: [1] BIRDS - No favourites unless you are trying to breed or improve a certain variety. [2] SHOW CAGES - Essential for assessing birds at any time. [3] TRESTLES TO CARRY AT LEAST 8 CAGES - To get a fair assessment of birds - as many as possible. [4] GOOD RECORDS - Showing family lines etc., good breeding traits and history. [5] TIME - Plenty of time because it is a slow process [6] GOAL - Where is your pinnacle ? What do you want to achieve? [7] COMMITMENT - Prepared to make the hard decisions that will be required. [8] KNOWLEDGE - A little knowledge will help make your decisions easier. Budgie Word Glossary Below is a list of few words used in reference to Budgerigars and their meanings: CERE - The section of a Budgerigar that is above the beak, the birds nostrils are also located here. [See Sexing the Budgerigar ] RUNNER A Budgerigar suffering from French Moult.

UNBROKEN CAP - Is the name given to a Budgerigar under the age of 12 weeks (approx.) or until they commence their first moult. In most varieties it is easily identified by the barring across the head and the lack of an iris in the eye. Also known as UBC or Nest Feather. DIRECTIONAL FEATHER - Term used when describing the feather on a bird's head. Breeders today endeavour to breed their show birds with head feathers growing outwards away from the head, this type of feathering tends to give the impression that the bird has a large head. PINCHED, NARROW, HAWK EYED - Terms used to describe birds with no head size and lack of directional feathering. GOOD BLOW - Ability of a bird to puff their head feathering, again giving the impression that the bird has a larger head. HEAVY WINGS - Used to describe birds with large secondary flights, also birds with long primary flights that fan out and hang down instead of being tight and follow the contour of the body. LEG FEATHERS - In our endeavour to breed birds with more feather, we are now breeding them with feathers growing on the lower leg.

This is unsightly to the eye and is regarded as a fault when showing, therefore, the feathers need to be removed by trimming with small scissors before exhibiting in shows. PENCIL SHAPE - Birds that are long and thin, with lack of shoulder. TYPE - Term used when describing general conformation, including balance, deportment, size and condition. Type is very important to those showing birds. CLEFT MASK - Birds with this give the impression that the mask is split down the middle. GROUND COLOUR - This is the underlying colour, white in the blue series, yellow in the green series, upon which all other pigments and markings are superimposed. Survey Results Archive This website's roots stem from an old website that was online from 1996 to 2001 called the "F1 Stud Web Page". On that site they conducted a number of surveys, the results from these surveys are archived here for your information Click on the Issue Number to view the Results of that Survey

Question: The budgerigar is native to which country?
Answer: Australia