Long-tailed Parakeet vs Budgerigar

Belocercus longicaudus compared with Melopsittacus undulatus

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Long-tailed Parakeet Budgerigar
Scientific Name Belocercus longicaudus Melopsittacus undulatus
Order Psittaciformes Psittaciformes
Family Psittaculidae Psittaculidae
Conservation Status Vulnerable Least Concern
Length 18.0 cm (7.1 in)
Wingspan 29.4 cm (11.6 in) 30.0 cm (11.8 in)
Weight 146.3 g (5.16 oz) 30.0 g (1.06 oz)
Diet -- Primarily grass seeds and other small seeds. In the wild, feeds on the ground in …
Clutch Size 2-3 4-6
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Long-tailed Parakeet
Budgerigar 18.0 cm
Wingspan
Long-tailed Parakeet 29.4 cm
Budgerigar 30.0 cm
Weight
Long-tailed Parakeet 146.3 g
Budgerigar 30.0 g
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Long-tailed Parakeet only

Budgerigar only

Budgerigar

Open grasslands, scrublands, and woodland in the Australian interior. Nomadic, following rainfall and seeding events.

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Song & Call Comparison

Long-tailed Parakeet

Budgerigar

Song

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.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Long-tailed Parakeet

Budgerigar

Interior of Australia, especially arid and semi-arid regions. One of the most popular pet birds worldwide.

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Conservation Status

Vulnerable

Long-tailed Parakeet

Least Concern

Budgerigar

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How to Tell Them Apart

Long-tailed Parakeet

Budgerigar

Plumage

Wild-type is green with yellow head and barred black scalloping on upperparts. Captive-bred varieties include blue, white, yellow, and many other colors.

Bill

Short, downward-curved, olive-grey bill typical of parakeets

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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.

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Related Comparisons

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