Definition

Noun: 1. A small, long-tailed parrot (Melopsittacus undulatus) native to Australia, typically light green with black and yellow markings in its wild form. It is a popular cage bird bred in a wide variety of colors.

Examples

• The budgerigar is one of the most popular pet birds in the world.
• In the wild, a budgerigar's natural color is green with a yellow head.
• She has a blue budgerigar that can mimic a few words.

Advanced Usage

• The term budgerigar is often formally used in ornithology and aviculture. In everyday conversation, especially in North America, the abbreviated form "budgie" is far more common.
• Budgerigars are known for their ability to mimic human speech and sounds, a trait that has contributed to their popularity as pets.

Variants and Related Words

• Budgie (noun): The common, informal shortening of "budgerigar."
  • I'm going to clean the budgie's cage.
• Parakeet (noun): A general term for many small to medium-sized parrot species with long tail feathers. A budgerigar is a specific type of parakeet.

Synonyms

• Budgie (informal)
• Shell parakeet (an older, less common name)
• Common parakeet

Related Phrases

• To talk like a budgie: An informal, humorous phrase suggesting someone talks very quickly, incessantly, or mimics sounds.
  • After three cups of coffee, he was talking like a budgie.

Noun

1. small Australian parakeet usually light green with black and yellow markings in the wild but bred in many colors