Rodrigues Parakeet vs Budgerigar
Alexandrinus exsul compared with Melopsittacus undulatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rodrigues Parakeet | Budgerigar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Alexandrinus exsul | Melopsittacus undulatus |
| Order | Psittaciformes | Psittaciformes |
| Family | Psittaculidae | Psittaculidae |
| Conservation Status | Extinct | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 18.0 cm (7.1 in) |
| Wingspan | — | 30.0 cm (11.8 in) |
| Weight | — | 30.0 g (1.06 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Primarily grass seeds and other small seeds. In the wild, feeds on the ground in … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 4-6 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Budgerigar
Open grasslands, scrublands, and woodland in the Australian interior. Nomadic, following rainfall and seeding events.
Song & Call Comparison
Rodrigues Parakeet
Budgerigar
A rising, chattering 'budgerigar' chatter: rapid series of 'chek-chek-chek' and melodic warbling. Enormous wild flocks produce a continuous roaring chorus. Good vocal mimics in captivity.
Geographic Range & Migration
Rodrigues Parakeet
Budgerigar
Interior of Australia, especially arid and semi-arid regions. One of the most popular pet birds worldwide.
Conservation Status
Rodrigues Parakeet
Budgerigar
How to Tell Them Apart
Rodrigues Parakeet
Budgerigar
Wild-type is green with yellow head and barred black scalloping on upperparts. Captive-bred varieties include blue, white, yellow, and many other colors.
Short, downward-curved, olive-grey bill typical of parakeets
About These Birds
Budgerigar
The budgerigar is the third most popular pet in the world after dogs and cats, and by far the most common pet parrot. Wild budgies travel in enormous nomadic flocks that can darken the sky. Males can learn to mimic human speech, with one record-holding budgie having a vocabulary of 1,728 words.