Budgerigar vs Alexandrine Parakeet
Melopsittacus undulatus compared with Palaeornis eupatria
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Budgerigar | Alexandrine Parakeet |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Melopsittacus undulatus | Palaeornis eupatria |
| Order | Psittaciformes | Psittaciformes |
| Family | Psittaculidae | Psittaculidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | 18.0 cm (7.1 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 30.0 cm (11.8 in) | 42.0 cm (16.5 in) |
| Weight | 30.0 g (1.06 oz) | 228.0 g (8.04 oz) |
| Diet | Primarily grass seeds and other small seeds. In the wild, feeds on the ground in … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 4-6 | 3-4 |
| 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
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.
Alexandrine Parakeet
Geographic Range & Migration
Budgerigar
Interior of Australia, especially arid and semi-arid regions. One of the most popular pet birds worldwide.
Alexandrine Parakeet
Conservation Status
Budgerigar
Alexandrine Parakeet
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
Alexandrine Parakeet
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.
Alexandrine Parakeet
The Alexandrine Parakeet is a large, near-threatened parakeet weighing about 228 g with a wingspan of 42 cm. Native to South and Southeast Asia, it is recognised by its large red bill, green plumage, and distinctive red shoulder patch, and is one of the largest ring-necked parakeet relatives.