Budgerigar Green (Melopsittacus undulatus)

The budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) is a small, seed-eating parrot native to the arid and semi-arid regions of inland Australia. As the sole species in its genus, the budgerigar is highly adapted to its environment, exhibiting nomadic behaviour in response to rainfall and food availability. It is sexually dimorphic, with males typically displaying a blue cere, while females have a brown or beige cere. Budgerigars are highly social and exhibit complex vocalisations used for communication within flocks. In captivity, they have demonstrated advanced vocal mimicry and cognitive abilities, including problem-solving and memory. Their popularity as companion birds stems from their manageable size, vibrant plumage, and engaging behaviour, but they remain a species of interest in avian cognition and vocal learning research.