Budgerigar vs Common Kestrel
Melopsittacus undulatus compared with Falco tinnunculus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Budgerigar | Common Kestrel |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Melopsittacus undulatus | Falco tinnunculus |
| Order | Psittaciformes | Falconiformes |
| Family | Psittaculidae | Falconidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 18.0 cm (7.1 in) | 34.0 cm (13.4 in) |
| Wingspan | 30.0 cm (11.8 in) | 74.0 cm (29.1 in) |
| Weight | 30.0 g (1.06 oz) | 190.0 g (6.70 oz) |
| Diet | Primarily grass seeds and other small seeds. In the wild, feeds on the ground in … | Primarily voles and mice, also lizards, large insects, and small birds. Hunts by hovering at … |
| Clutch Size | 4-6 | 1-7 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Budgerigar
Open grasslands, scrublands, and woodland in the Australian interior. Nomadic, following rainfall and seeding events.
Common Kestrel
Open country including farmland, grasslands, moorland, and urban areas. Common along motorways and in cities across Europe.
Song & Call Comparison
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.
Common Kestrel
A shrill, repeated 'kee-kee-kee-kee' or 'kik-ik-ik', especially near nest. Alarm call is a nasal chattering. Generally less vocal than larger falcons. Calls ring clearly in open country.
Geographic Range & Migration
Budgerigar
Interior of Australia, especially arid and semi-arid regions. One of the most popular pet birds worldwide.
Common Kestrel
Europe, Asia, and Africa. One of the most common and widespread raptors in the Old World.
Conservation Status
Budgerigar
Common Kestrel
How to Tell Them Apart
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
Common Kestrel
Males have a blue-grey head and tail with a rufous back spotted with black. Females are rufous-brown with heavy barring. Both have a dark moustachial stripe.
Short, hooked grey bill with a yellow cere
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.
Common Kestrel
The common kestrel is Europe's most abundant falcon, famous for its ability to hover motionless in the wind while scanning for prey. Research has shown kestrels can see ultraviolet light, allowing them to detect vole urine trails that reflect UV. The species has adapted remarkably well to urban environments.