Budgerigar / Melopsittacus undulatus / parakeet / budgie, native to Australia (genus Melopsittacus). Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, Washington, USA.

The budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) (also called parakeet, shell parakeet, or budgie), is the only species in the Australian genus Melopsittacus. This small parrot belongs to the tribe of the broad-tailed parrots (Platycercini), which are sometimes considered a subfamily (Platycercinae). Though budgerigars are often called Parakeets, especially in American English, this term refers to any of a number of small parrots with long flat tails. The budgerigar is found throughout the drier parts of Australia and has survived for the last five million years in the harsh inland conditions.

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Contained in galleries: Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo

The budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) (also called parakeet, shell parakeet, or budgie), is the only species in the Australian genus Melopsittacus. This small parrot belongs to the tribe of the broad-tailed parrots (Platycercini), which are sometimes considered a subfamily (Platycercinae). Though budgerigars are often called Parakeets, especially in American English, this term refers to any of a number of small parrots with long flat tails. The budgerigar is found throughout the drier parts of Australia and has survived for the last five million years in the harsh inland conditions.