Budgies vs Parakeet (Is there any Difference Between Them?)

Last Updated on April 1, 2022 by Ali Shahid

I like to think that when I brought home my first pet bird, the first thing I did was look up all kinds of information on Google and other resources. What would be the best food for my bird, what amount of sleep should it have, etc. Upon further investigation, another question emerges: what is this beast called? Have I received a budgie, a budgerigar, a parakeet, or a fancy parakeet? Birds such as budgies and parakeets have no difference between them. While the name parakeet is similar to the name budgie, budgies are a specific species of colorful parrot, sometimes referred to as budgerigars. Parakeets, however, do not all qualify as budgies, although technically all budgies qualify as parakeets.

A budgie is one of two distinct species of parrot, the traditional budgie and the English budgie, whereas a parakeet belongs to the Psittacinae subfamily, which includes 115 species.

Budgies vs Parakeet

Origins of Names

In Parrots of the World, Joseph M. Forshaw lists the parakeets as budgerigars and as Melopsittacus undulatus. In Latin, this scientific name refers to the parakeet as well. This makes them the same species. The origin of the term “Budgie,” which is short for the bird’s proper name “Budgerigar”, is still a mystery, though theories abound. It is known as “budgery” in Australia, a slang term.

What is the origin of the name budgie?

Because parakeets originate from Australia, it is no surprise that the name budgie or budgerigar is used most frequently and in Australia is derived from an Aboriginal word. Budgeri is believed to mean ‘good’ and gar to mean a distinctive bird, such as a cockatoo. Hence, budgerigar means “good cockatoo”.

Budgie is a short name of the original term budgerigar. European explorers began observing Australia’s native fauna and flora at the beginning of the 19th century. We don’t have much evidence to verify that this is where the word budgerigar originates, but it’s a claim that’s generally accepted.

A budgie, as the locals called the animal, was somehow the native name for that bird. Boomerang or Kangaroo, for example, are words borrowed from Aboriginal languages.

What is the origin of the name parakeet?

Again, being a veterinarian, I am not quite sure about it. Nevertheless, the term had already been used to describe a small parrot before Westerners ever discovered Australia.

The term ‘parol’ traces its origin to the Spanish word ‘perquito’ in the 1620s, to English parroket in the 1580s, and finally to French paroquet — which meant ‘little priest’, or to describe a clergyman or parish.

European explorers living in America eventually coined the name of these small parrots as an exclusive term for them. Due to their widespread exportation, the Aboriginals referred to them by a different name after they were discovered. Parakeets, however, are simply small parrots.

Are Budgies and Parakeets the Same Bird?

The Budgie and parakeet are the same; this is similar to the fact that there are many types of cats. There are 115 parakeet species in the world today, and a budgie is one of them.

People often get confused by budgies versus parakeets because, in the United States, the budgie is called a parakeet (Melopsittacus undulatus).

Although the word “parakeet” is usually used to describe any small parrot with a long tail, it is used to describe any small parrot. Most people in the United States own parakeets, often called parrots or budgies.

English Budgies vs. Parakeets

It is a fact that English budgies are larger and easier to train than parakeets (Australian budgies). English budgies have traditionally been bred to compete in show competitions, which may explain their common names, show budgies, and exhibition budgies.

An English budgie is 10-12 inches tall, while the average parakeet is 7-9 inches tall. In the 1840s, bird enthusiast John Gould brought the standard Australian budgie to England.

People began breeding budgies for exhibition in England at the end of the century, following their popularity as pet birds. It’s easier to train English budgies than Australians since they’re supposed to sit still and be quiet for long periods.

Like their smaller counterparts, they have a wide vocabulary but vocalize less. English budgies have fluffier plumage in their crowns than typical budgies.

Can we say that all Parakeets are Budgies?

All parakeets aren’t budgies, whereas all budgies are considered parakeets. Budgie is the name given either to an English budgie or a traditional budgie, both of which are commonly referred to as parakeets.

Several other species that fall within the parakeet line fall within the definition of parakeet. It is generally believed that budgerigars are parakeets.

However, parakeets come in many forms. It is reported that 115 species of parakeet exist in 30 genera belonging to the Psittacidae subfamily (Psittacidae family). The tail feathers of each species are long and tapered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is getting a parakeet a good idea?

These parrots are not silent because of their small size. The birds chirp constantly, even when they don’t screech. The health of this animal is relatively fragile. Even small temperature variations are enough to make him sick.

What are fancy parakeets?

The fancy parakeet is a small, intelligent, and social bird. It eats seeds, vegetables, fruits, and plants. The average life expectancy of a fancy parakeet in captivity is 20 years.

What is the difference between a fancy parakeet and a parakeet?

Differences between them are merely a matter of color. There will be no difference between a “fancy” parakeet and a bird with natural colors when it comes to being friendly, calm, talkative, etc. The normal color of parakeets is blue and green.

Conclusion

The terms parrot, budgie, and budgerigar refer to the same bird. You might be able to say that the core difference is that in English-speaking countries, they are called budgies, whereas Americans refer to these little parrots as parakeets. Psittacidae is a generic term that describes the totality of the parrot species within the Psittaciformes family.