In case you are new to the budgie world and wondering if budgies are parakeets or if they are two different birds, let me clarify: all budgies are parakeets, but not all parakeets are budgies.
Many people refer to budgies as parakeets, but the term “parakeet” actually encompasses a wide variety of birds of different colors, sizes, and shapes. In this post, we’ll explore the different types of parakeets and how to distinguish them.
Here are some different types of parakeets:
- Budgerigar (Budgie)
- Monk Parakeet
- Alexandrian Parakeet
- Moustache Parakeet
- Ring-necked Parakeet
- Plain Parakeets
- Bourke’s Parakeet
- Lineolated Parakeet
- Brotogeris Parakeet
- Indian Ring-necked Parakeet
- Plum-headed Parakeet
- Red-rumped Parakeet
- Derbyan Parakeet
- Slender-billed Parakeet
Please note that there are many types of parakeets, and some species may also have subspecies or regional variations.
1 Budgerigar
Budgerigars, also known as budgies or parakeets, are a popular choice for pet birds. These small, colorful parakeets are native to Australia and are known for their playful personalities and easy care needs.
Budgies come in a variety of colors, from the classic green and yellow to more rare hues like blue, white, and purple. Many budgies also have distinctive markings on their heads, such as black bars or spots.
In addition to their bright plumage, budgies are also known for their intelligence and trainability.
With proper care and attention, these birds can be taught to perform tricks, mimic words, and even play games. They are also known to be quite sociable and enjoy interacting with their owners.
When it comes to care, budgies are relatively easy to keep. They require a diet of seeds, fruits, and vegetables, as well as a comfortable cage with plenty of toys and perches. Regular exercise and socialization are also important for keeping your budgie healthy and happy.
Budgies are happy birds that thrive well on stimulation and attention. Learn more details about how to train your parakeet.
2 Monk Parakeet
Meet the Monk Parakeet, a unique and charming bird that will steal your heart. These beautiful birds, also known as Quaker parakeets, are known for their love of building nests.
Originating from South America, some of these lovely birds have even escaped and established themselves in the US, becoming popular pets in the 1960s.
With their inquisitive nature and great talking abilities, these parakeets thrive on human interaction and love cuddling and head scratching.
When kept as pets, it’s important to note that they have a preference for elaborate cages, just like their wild nesting habits. These bright and affectionate birds make great companions for bird enthusiasts and pet owners alike.
In the wild, Monk parakeets typically live in flocks and can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, forests, and grasslands.
Monk parakeets are known for their gregarious and social behavior, and can often be seen foraging for food and interacting with other members of their flock.
The Monk parakeets are inquisitive birds and great talkers. They enjoy cuddling, head scratching and human interaction.
These lovely birds love to arrange items in their cage, be sure to provide enough toys.
3 Alexandrine Parakeet
The Alexandrine parakeet (also called Alexandrine parrot) is a green-colored parakeet having a red mark around the middle of the outer portion of their wings. They also have a ventrally black and dorsally red band around their neck. Native to Punjab, Pakistan where it is known as “Raw Toota”.
This parakeet is kept as a pet in the house due to its high mimicking abilities. Its food is quite diverse and can eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and delights. They don’t hesitate to try new foods, please be aware!! There are foods and aliments that may harm these beautiful birds.
4 Moustache Parakeet (or, in American English, Mustache Parakeet)
Its name comes from the distinctive feature of the black line above the beak— which looks like a well-groomed moustache. The Moustache Parakeets love to talk and perch on your shoulder. Originally they are derived from China and the islands of Indonesia, where they live in flocks and may have up to 60 members in a flock.
Along with their “moustache”, they also have a greenish-blue tail and brilliant green and yellow hues on their backs. They can eat fresh foods, however, high-quality commercial pellets are recommended.
5 Ring-necked Parakeet
The Rose-ringed Parakeet, also known as the Ring-necked Parakeet or the African Ring-necked Parakeet, is a beautiful and intelligent bird that is native to Africa and Asia. These parakeets are known for their distinctive green plumage and the rose-colored ring around their neck, which gives them their name.
In the wild, these parakeets can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and savannas.
They are social birds that live in flocks and are known for their loud and melodious calls. These parakeets usually feed on a variety of fruits, seeds, and nuts.
As pets, the Rose-ringed Parakeet is a popular choice due to their intelligence and ability to learn to talk. They are also known for their playful and affectionate personalities.
They require a large cage and plenty of toys and perches to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. A healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, seeds, and a high-quality pellet diet is also essential for their well-being.
6 Plain Parakeets
Don’t be deceived by what their name might suggest, there is nothing dull about the Plain Parakeet. However, they are not as colorful as other types of parakeets; they can make a great companion and can easily brighten your day.
Tiny and adorable, these lovely South American birds will easily captivate you with their sweet and friendly personality. And seeing how inquisitive they are, you will completely fall in love with them.
Although they are not as popular as some of their cousins, the Plain Parakeets are still popular in aviculture, particularly in its homeland.
7 Bourke’s Parakeet
Bourke’s parakeets are quite stunning due to their shimmering blue, pink and violet shades. The distinguishing feature in this parakeet is the main difference between male and female parakeets (males have a blue band on their eyes while the female doesn’t have). Their food is somewhat related to budgies because they are native to Australia.
Read how to identify the gender of a budgie to learn more about the gender differences.
8 Lineolated or Barred Parakeet
Originated from Central and South America. These 6-inch (~15 cm) friendly birds are loved by all parakeet breeders. Even though the original color is green, it is not uncommon to see varying colors that have been developed by breeders.
Because of their small size, bright colors, and quiet voice, these little parakeets have now become one of the most popular pets for homeowners.
Barred Parakeets easily learn to talk and have lots of fun clowning around and hanging upside-down sometimes.
9 Brotogeris Parakeet
White-winged, yellow-chevroned, grey-cheeked, orange-chinned, the Brotogeris are not as common as pets. They originated from South America and usually have their grown up size to be about 8 inches in length. They are usually green in color with varying colors on the chin or wings.
10 Indian Ring-necked Parakeet
The Indian Ring-necked Parakeet, also known as the Rose-ringed Parakeet, bears resemblance to the Alexandrian parakeet. Both parakeets are native to the Indian subcontinent and have similar physical characteristics, such as a bright green plumage and a long tail.
However, the Indian Ring-necked Parakeet can be distinguished by the distinctive ring of black and yellow feathers around its neck, giving it its name.
Indian Ring-Necked Parakeet is a medium-sized parrot that typically measures around 40-45 cm in length. It is a highly adaptable bird that can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and urban areas. They are known to be quite vocal and can be quite playful and active. They are also known to be quite intelligent and can mimic human speech.
10 Plum-headed Parakeet
The Plum-headed Parakeet (Psittacula cyanocephala) is a small parrot native to the Indian subcontinent. They are known for their vibrant plumage, with the males having a purple-blue head and a pinkish-red breast, while females have a green head and a yellow breast.
They are highly sociable birds and can be found in flocks in the wild, often in wooded areas near water.
In captivity, they are popular as pets due to their playful nature and ability to mimic human speech. The Plum-headed Parakeet have a lifespan of 15-20 years and require a diet of seeds, fruits, and vegetables. They are also known for their beautiful calls and whistling abilities.
In wildness, they are typically found in forested areas, such as deciduous, evergreen, and mangrove forests, as well as in rural and suburban areas. Plum-headed parakeets are typically found in flocks and are known for their loud calls and playful behavior. They feed on a variety of fruits, seeds, and flowers, and nest in tree cavities.
11 Red-rumped Parakeet
The Red-rumped Parakeet, also known as the Grass Parakeet or Psittacula krameri, is a small parrot native to India and Sri Lanka.
They are known for their bright green plumage and distinctive red rump patch, which gives the bird its name.
Primarily found in grassland and scrub habitats, these birds can be seen in flocks of up to 20 individuals.
They are known to be very active and vocal birds, with a wide range of calls and songs.
12 Derbyan Parakeet
The Derbyan Parakeet, also known as the Derby’s Parakeet, is a medium-sized parrot that is native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China.
They are green in color with a bright red patch on the forehead and a dark red patch on the back of their necks.
They have a distinctive long tail and a curved beak. They are known for their playful and curious nature, as well as their ability to mimic human speech. .
In the wild, they live in small flocks and can be found in subtropical and tropical moist montane forests
13 Slender-billed Parakeet
The Slender-billed Parakeet, also known as the Slender-billed Conure, is a small parrot native to South America.
They have a distinctive long, slender bill, which gives them their name and the average lifespan is around 15-20 years.
They are primarily green in color with a red patch on the forehead and a blue patch on the wings. They are also known for their playful and energetic personalities, making them popular as pets.
They are usually found in forested areas and are known to be quite vocal, making them easy to spot in the wild.
In conclusion, these little birds enjoy chattering a lot and can be very energetic too. Lots of them prefer to be around their owners and can make great watch birds too. Beautiful companions that can call out an alarm when something is wrong :).
