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The Budgie (Melopsittacus undulatus, nicknamed budgie), the only species in the Australian genus Melopsittacus, is a small parrot belonging to the tribe of the broad-tailed parrots (Platycercini); these are sometimes considered a subfamily (Platycercinae). In the latter case, the Budgie is sometimes isolated in a tribe of its own, the Melopsittacini, although it is probably quite closely related to Pezoporus and Neophema. Though Budgies are often called Budgies, especially in American English, this term refers to any of a number of small Parrots with long flat tails. The Budgie is found throughout the drier parts of Australia and has survived in the inlands of that continent for over 5 million years.

Keep a close eye on your budgies health. A healthy budgie has bright clear eyes, a shiny non-flaky or crusty cere and beak, strong shiny bright feathers, will chatter and fly about happily. If your budgie is huddled and fluffed up on the floor of their cage - get them to an avian vet immediately. Budgies are prey animals and will conceal any sign of illness for as long as possible so they will not be cast from their flock or picked out by predators as weak. If they are showing signs of illness - you know it's very bad.
It is important that your budgie have a proper diet of seed, fruit/veggies, and pellets. See our Food section for easy healthy recipes that will get even the pickiest budgie eating their veggies and pellets! Budgies need plenty of out-of-cage time to fly around in order to stay healthy and fit. Be sure to weigh your budgie regularly as weight loss is the easiest way to know your budgie is sick.

When you bring a new budgie into the home and you already have birds, be sure to put the new bird in quarantine for a minimum of 30 days to be sure they are not carrying any illnesses that could be passed on to your current birds. Keep them in a different room and always wash your hands after handling them.