Raising parrots is a joy, especially budgerigars. Since they were bred in captivity, budgerigars have quickly become popular in Europe and become a popular pet bird, but buy It is not an easy task to find the right budgerigar. It is best to raise budgerigars in pairs. When purchasing budgerigars, you must match their gender. How to choose a good budgie?

Budgies

I. Appearance characteristics

The head and back feathers of budgerigars are generally yellow and have black stripes. The stripes are like budgies, so they are called budgies. Budgerigars are small species in the parrot family. They have bright feathers, lively temperaments and crisp calls. They are innocent and cute, and are easy to tame. They are one of the most popular bird species in my country. The head is round, the beak is hooked, and there is a wax film above the beak (the sex of most budgies can be distinguished by the color of the wax film). Budgerigars have relatively short legs and four toes. The second and third toes are forward, and the first and fourth toes are backward. It is easy for them to climb trees and objects.

The body is yellow-green; the back of the head, the sides of the neck, the upper back and the wing coverts are light brown with yellow and black on each feather; the throat and face are yellow; the underside of the cheeks With varying degrees of blue-purple, the throat has 3 black spots; the chest feathers have a narrow black border. Main flight feathers coverts light blue; flight feathers grey-green with light stripes; inner grey with white markings; upper central feathers of the tail blue-green with black tips and black inside. Beak olive yellow, cere blue; iris white. The female's wax film is grayish-brown or flesh-colored with only a tinge of bluish tinge, turning dark brown during the breeding season. The juveniles have a darker body color, and the wax film of both male and female juveniles is pink, and it takes 3 to 4 months to grow into a bird-like plumage.

The average lifespan of a budgerigar is 7 years. The body length is 16 to 18 cm and the weight is 35 grams. Forehead and face yellow. There are purple-blue spots on the cheeks. The upper body is densely streaked with yellow and black. The waist and lower body are green. There are small black spots on the throat. Tail feathers green-blue. Iris white. Mouth grey. Feet grey-blue. The nose pack of males is light blue, and the females are flesh-colored.

The head of the adult bird is round and flat, the shell is very strong, the base of the upper beak is covered with a wax film, and the upper beak is curved like a hook; the body plumage is colorful and changeable, and the common colors are yellow, green, Blue, white, blue-green, light yellow and other colors, because of the black or dark brown horizontal stripes in the head, neck and back feathers, it is named budgerigar. The toes are anti-toed, the second and third toes are forward, and the first and fourth toes are backward, suitable for climbing on branches. Better for gripping and feeding. The tail is pointed and long, and the central tail feathers are elongated like an arrow. The difference between males and females of adult birds is the color of the wax film, the male wax film is blue-blue, and the female bird wax film is fleshy brown. The wax film and the base of the shell of the adult bird are dull and dull. The toes are pale flesh.

Budgerigars primarily inhabit open grassland areas, dry Marley vegetation, Mulaga scrubland and open dense forest areas, plain areas full of eucalyptus and acacia, and agricultural areas ; Usually not too far from the river bank or water source. They are flocking species of birds, usually gathering 20 or even hundreds of them, and there has been a record of 25,000 birds gathering; if disturbed, the whole group will fly up, circle in the air and suddenly fly in a random direction, Then land on a tree near a safe distance.

They are quite gregarious species of birds, usually each bird has its own place in the group, there is no class distinction, and occasionally quarrel; at dawn, they will go to the water source to drink water, and then When it is hot at noon, it will look for a rest under the shade of dense trees, and continue to forage when it is cooler in the afternoon. At dusk, the whole group will start to return to the nest to rest overnight; during the day, they like to forage on the ground, because of the body The feather color is integrated with the surrounding environment, so it is quite difficult to detect; they are very friendly and not afraid of people, and can be observed at close range; most of them go to the troughs, ponds, rivers, and puddles on the ground where cattle and sheep drink. Usually the whole group will drink water quickly together to avoid being preyed by predators; they usually do not have a fixed route for food, but search around in a nomadic way; prefer to travel to North Australia and regions in the colder season, hotter In season, they travel to South Australia.

2. Variety Discrimination

Budgerigars generally grow up to about 5 months to breed, and the colors range from light to dark: white, milky white, Yellow, bright green, dark green, olive green, gray green, sky blue, cobalt blue, dark blue, light violet, violet, gray, carbon black 14 categories. Budgerigar species can be divided into 20 categories:

1. The most common budgerigar species in Base Color.

2. Opaline {pattern variation} The main difference between the opal species and the original species is the striped feathers on the back, and the blue and white series (including sky blue, cobalt blue, violet, white) carry opal The outer color of the dorsal feathers is blue, and the color without it is white.

Yellow-green series (including bright green, dark green, olive green, lemon yellow) with opal is green, without yellow. The gray system (including gray and carbon black) is gray with opal, and white without it. Features: There is an inverted triangle solid color area on the back, and the end of each wing feather shows the same color as the body.

3. Greywing (Grewing or Clearwing or Dilution) {color variation} The first two English translation names of Greywing are Greywing (referring to the pattern changing from black to grey) and Grewing. Bright wings (referring to the change of the color of the wings from dark colors based on black to bright colors based on light colors) are all from the wings. And dilution refers to the process in which the wing pattern, along with the body color, is diluted and lightened. Generally speaking, the gray wings are the pattern that has been diluted from the original black to different degrees of gray, and the blue-green on the body is also diluted to different degrees of light green and light blue. Features: Compared with the original species, the black runes on the body are faded to gray.

4. Cinnamon {color variation} It is similar to Grey Wing in that the color of the wings is changed, but the difference is that the wings of the grey wing are diluted gray, while the cinnamon wing It is diluted to a cinnamon that is close to brown. Features: Compared with the original species, the black runes on the body are all faded to brown.

5. Yellow/albino species (yellow/white and red eyes) (Lutino) {color variation} Lutino species is a variation type of color, that is, all symbols on the green bird body disappear, and melanin is completely replaced , the green is diluted to yellow. The iris of the eyes also changed from black to red, one of the few breeds that also mutated the color of the iris. Albino species are similar to luteinized species, in that albinism is formed by a bluing of a yellowed bird. The characteristics are similar to those of yellowing, but the difference is that the whole body is white. Features: red eyes, pure yellow/pure white feathers.

6. Fish Scale species (Spangle) Spangle species is actually the color structure of the wings and the structure of the original species is completely reversed, the original species should be the black area on the spangle species It is white, and where the primitive species is white, the fish scales are black. Because black becomes the color of the outer circle, the scale species has much less black than the large distribution of the black area on the wings of the original species. Features: The edge of each feather is black, and the rest is solid color, corresponding to the color system.

7. Dominant Pied (Dominant Pied, Recessive Pied, Clearflight Pied) {pattern variation} is divided into three categories:

Dominant Pied - Inheritance Type: Dominant Inheritance As long as one parent has a dominant gene, the offspring will have offspring with the same or similar traits. Features: The two large wings are solid color, and there are white circles under the eyes when they are adults.

Recessive Pat - Inheritance Type: Recessive parents must both carry the same recessive gene in order to pass the recessive trait to their offspring. Features: The black runes on the body are irregular and fuzzy, and there are no white eye circles in adulthood.

Bright flight feathers only have the flight feathers at the end of the wings faded to pure white or pure yellow. The spots and lumps that appear on the body are also relatively small, and there is usually some clear body feather color on the neck. There are also clear feather patches on the back of the head.

8. Yellowface {color variation} Under normal circumstances, green birds (bright green, dark green, dark green, gray green, yellow...) have yellow faces, while blue The bird (sky blue, dark blue, violet, inky, lilac, grey, white...) has a white face. When the blue white face is replaced by the yellow face. These birds are called yellow-faced species. Features: The body is a blue bird with a yellow face.

9. Crested {hair type variation} Crested feathers belong to the change of hair type, which can be roughly divided into 3 types: clustered crest feathers, semicircular crest feathers, round crest feathers Crown feather (full crown) three kinds. At the same time, Japan also has a crown-feather variety that appears with the curled back, which is called the crown-feather curled back. The characteristic of the crown feathers is the shape of the feathers on the top of the head, usually with symmetrical hair type as the aesthetic standard. Features: hair type variation.

10. Fallow {special variation} Fallow is the only species with red eyes other than yellow/albino and lacewing, and all kinds of markings may appear in Fallow. On the music. Characteristics: variegated feathers, red eyes, feathers with a slight cinnamon dip effect.

11. Saddleback {Special Variation} This bird looks like an opal, but it is not the same type. The Saddleback has gray markings from the head, and it goes down Begins to gradually return to normal black markings, without a V-shaped opening on the neck like an opal.

12. Texas Clearbody {special variation} Because it was first produced in Texas, USA. So it's usually called Texas Clearbody, and when you see this bird, you don't usually notice it's special. Because the markings of the body are basically the same as the normal bird except for the color. The main feature is that on its body, the basic color of the abdomen is diluted, blue is diluted to light blue-white, green is diluted to bright yellow, and other characteristics remain unchanged. Another point is that the bright species are not mixed with any variegation, and the flight feathers at the bottom of the wings will appear gray instead of the usual black, which is also a major key to the difference.

13. Slate {special variation} An extremely rare variety. The way this color appears is similar to the color change of gray or violet, and the gene causes a very, very deep blue. Real slate tiger skins only appear on blue skins.

14. Anthracite {Special Variation} Anthracite has a very dark body color, the darkest of all known tiger skins. Black plumage is extremely rare.

15. Blackface {special variant} is also an extremely rare special variant that only appears in the Netherlands. The black-faced bird is a variant with increased melanin pigmentation. It can be reflected from the body and head, and it is also the only bird in the tiger skin that has markings on its body.

16. The mottled species is also a kind of variegated bird. The reason it is not a pat is that the variegated arrangement of this bird has no certain rules. It seems that the arrangement of feathers is like Randomly mixed up. And it also has a feature that is the increase in the amount of hair.

17. Half-Sider {special mutation} This is a gene type that cannot be inherited and is a complete mutation. Visually, this bird will appear to be suddenly divided into two halves or unequally divided blocks, and different areas show completely different species or colors, with great contrast.

18. Darkwing {Special Variation} Some of them are similar to bright-bodied birds, but their wings are all black, and the body turns bright lemon yellow, which is extremely rare.

19. Melanistic Spangle is meaningless and is not included in the introduction list.

20. Curly hair species. Special variation of hair type, no independent viability.

Budgerigars are the most common parrots in the world. They are cheap, naughty and cute. They are widely loved by the public. The total number in the world exceeds 5 million. They are often many just interested in parrots. The first parrot bought by a person is also the species that most often appears in bird exhibitions. Since the major discovery and breakthrough of genetic engineering by Australian biologist-Gigmander in 1900 AD, various budgerigar variants have been Entering an unprecedented diversity, there are now thousands of varieties, plus they are so easy to care for and breed, that's why they are so common.

At present, the budgies raised and played in China are all caged birds bred under artificial breeding, and their physiques are weakened. Therefore, breeders should choose individuals with wide and long bodies, plump bodies and energetic individuals for breeding and breeding, which is beneficial to the rejuvenation of the population in the future. Wild budgerigars live in groups, feed on plant seeds and fruits, nest in caves, breed 1-2 nests per year, and lay 4-7 eggs in each nest. The eggs are oval in shape and the shell is pure white. Budgerigars in captivity are very good at dismantling cages because of their hard shells and flexible toes and mouths. The room temperature in winter should be kept at 5-10℃.

3. Basic Discrimination

Old and Young Discrimination

The average lifespan of a budgerigar is 7 By 10 years, it will be longer if raised carefully. The young birds have a large number of markings on their foreheads, which gradually recede with age, until they are all faded when they become adults. There will be a solid color area on the head (yellow for green and yellow, blue, white, and gray for white). Older birds have messy plumage in this area. The eyes of young birds are completely black, which looks very cute, and will gradually appear white benevolent eyes (white eyeballs) as adults.

The bills of juveniles are sallow yellow with black at the tip (in most birds), gradually turning grey-brown as adults, although the beaks of peetes are orange-red throughout their life. Young birds may still be waxy yellow, but they will change color after a period of time, and some will change color once they become adults. The feet of young birds are very tender, usually pink. The change is quite obvious, the claws have become rough, and they are not as fleshy as young birds, and the color has become similar to blue ink.

Myth:

Not all males turn this color, some are gray. Young birds have bright eyes, old birds have eye bags around their eyes, young birds have neat feathers, and old birds have fluffy and fat feathers. Young birds are lively and naughty, and old birds move slowly

Male and male discrimination

(1), method of male and female discrimination of tiger-skin juveniles:

Budgerigar male: The wax film is basically pink. It is suitable for young birds after one month of brooding (because it is difficult to judge the nasal membrane congestion in the early stage of the birds)

Female birds: white around the nostrils, occasionally pink but very light.

(2) The method of distinguishing male and female of adult tiger pygmy bird:

Male bird: according to different species, the general wax film color is blue, hidden male bird and double gene Apex is pink, lifelong peach, with a tinge of purple.

Female bird: the nostrils are white and the outer is very light blue or the wax film is white

(3), tiger skin adult male and female identification method:

Males: According to different species, the general wax film color is blue, the hidden males and the bi-gene explicit formula are pink, lifelong pink, with a little purple.

Females: Some waxes are white (may be in estrus ebb, some females are not in estrus), some wrinkled and dark brown (that means the female is in estrus) Period)

Widely distributed in the inland areas of Australia, but the eastern, south-western, coastal areas of the North Province, Cape York Peninsula, and Tasmania are sparse, and have been introduced (including escaped caged birds) to many countries, but most of them cannot successfully survive and reproduce, including the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, Puerto Rico, Hong Kong, Brazil, Switzerland, Colombia, the Society Islands, New Zealand, Oman and other countries, but the ethnic group in Florida, United States After being introduced in 1950, it has successfully survived and reproduced.

There are many feather lice on budgies and must be eliminated. Budgies are also endangered by blood-sucking worms. Nest boxes are often home to blood-sucking worms. After each hatching, the nest box should be scalded with boiling water immediately, and then coated with BGP water solution, which is harmless to birds, to keep it clean and dry to prevent parasites. Budgerigars are easy to raise in captivity, have extensive management, are resistant to roughage, have strong physique, are not prone to disease, and are easy to reproduce. Budgies have hooks on their beaks, are strong and powerful, and like to chew on wood, so they can't use bamboo cages, but metal cages. As a recreational ornamental bird, it can be raised in small electroplated metal cages with perches and rings for parrots to play with.