Budgerigar

The Budgerigar is one of two parrot species to be genuinely domesticated, and is believed to be the most common species of pet parrot.

It is a very small parrot, but a parrot just the same. In the United States, we call a budgerigar a parakeet. They are the same bird. The nickname for the Budgerigar is a budgie. When properly cared for, they can live a long life and be a delightful pet.

Budgies are extremely intelligent, as are all members of the parrot family, the most intelligent being the African gray parrot, believed to have the intellect of a 3-year-old human. It is not a tough task teaching your budgie to talk.http://www.budgie-parakeets.com/teachingabudgietotalk.html Some pet owners who are short on time leave a radio on during the day so the bird will have constant contact with the human voice.

If you want to have a happy and healthy budgie, give it lots of toys. This is not overindulgence, it's for mental stimulation. Without it, a budgie will become depressed, may pluck its feathers, and will no longer be nearly as perky.http://www.budgies.org/

Though sometimes considered less desirable than larger, rarer varieties of parrot, the Budgie is valued for its beauty, intelligence and playful, affectionate personality.http://www.avianweb.com/budgieinfo.htm Like many more sought-after parrots, Budgies can be taught to speak and sing, but are available at a tiny fraction of the price. At around $20, they are not only cheaper than a common larger parrot (upwards of $500), but less than half the price of Hasbro's robotic "Squawkers McCaw."

• Amazon.com: Budgerigar Books

• PetSmart: Bird Supplies and Food

• BizRate: Accessories And Bird Supplies

• Avian Publications: Budgerigar Books And DVDs

• Amazon.com: 101 Facts About Budgerigars

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