American Robin vs Budgerigar
Turdus migratorius compared with Melopsittacus undulatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | American Robin | Budgerigar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Turdus migratorius | Melopsittacus undulatus |
| Order | Passeriformes | Psittaciformes |
| Family | Turdidae | Psittaculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 25.0 cm (9.8 in) | 18.0 cm (7.1 in) |
| Wingspan | 36.0 cm (14.2 in) | 30.0 cm (11.8 in) |
| Weight | 77.0 g (2.72 oz) | 30.0 g (1.06 oz) |
| Diet | Earthworms, insects, and fruit. Famously hunts earthworms on lawns by running, stopping, and tilting its … | Primarily grass seeds and other small seeds. In the wild, feeds on the ground in … |
| Clutch Size | 2-4 | 4-6 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
American Robin
Lawns, parks, gardens, farmland, and forest edges. One of the most familiar birds in suburban North America.
Budgerigar
Open grasslands, scrublands, and woodland in the Australian interior. Nomadic, following rainfall and seeding events.
Song & Call Comparison
American Robin
A clear, caroling song of 2-3 note phrases: 'cheerily, cheer-up, cheerio'. Sings from dawn perches. Sharp 'tut-tut-tut' alarm call and thin 'seeee' flight note.
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
American Robin
North America from Alaska and Canada to Mexico. Northern populations migrate south in winter; southern populations are largely resident.
Budgerigar
Interior of Australia, especially arid and semi-arid regions. One of the most popular pet birds worldwide.
Conservation Status
American Robin
Budgerigar
How to Tell Them Apart
American Robin
Dark grey-brown upperparts with a warm brick-red breast and belly. White eye-ring and streaked white throat. Female slightly paler.
Bright yellow bill with a dark tip
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
American Robin
The American robin is widely regarded as a harbinger of spring across North America. Despite its name, it is a true thrush unrelated to the European robin. American robins produce two to three broods per year and are among the earliest birds to sing in the morning chorus.
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.