American Budgie vs. English Budgie | Which one to get?

You’re observing a group of budgies in a cage when you spot a notably larger one among them, sparking curiosity about its breed. The differences between English budgies and American budgies are often not well understood despite their many similarities.

It’s crucial to be aware of the key differences between these two types of parrots, especially if you’re considering adopting one as a pet. This article will compare English and American budgies, assisting you in choosing the right one for a pet. But first, here’s a quick answer:

The primary distinction between English and American Budgies lies in their size, with the English Budgie being notably larger than the American Budgie. The American Budgie is smaller but can be quite loud and vocal in its environment. On the other hand, the English Budgie is larger but tends to be less vocal and quieter.

Origin And History Of Budgies

Budgies, scientifically named Melopsittacus undulatus, are the only species in the genus Melopsittacus and are commonly known as parakeets. Their formal name, “Budgerigar,” originates from the Australian Aboriginal language, translating to “good food.” This name reflects their historical significance, as their migrations in arid regions guided Aboriginal people to water sources, animals, and edible plants.

Budgies, aka Parakeets or Small parrots

English Budgies trace their roots back to 1840 when wild Australian birds were introduced to the United Kingdom. Over time, these birds were selectively bred, resulting in the English Budgie—a larger, more colorful, and more relaxed variant.

Developed primarily for pet shows, English Budgies have evolved into one of the world’s most beloved pets, alongside dogs and cats.

English Budgie – Overview

The English Budgie, often called the Show Budgie or Exhibition Budgie, has been carefully bred over generations to create birds ideal for shows. This type of budgie is larger and has more noticeable patterns than the American Budgie. It’s also more relaxed, easier to manage, and can learn simple commands more readily.

English Budgie

However, it’s important to note that the English Budgie typically has a shorter lifespan than its American counterpart, likely due to its selective breeding process.

Character & Behavior

The English Budgie’s character has been shaped over generations for showmanship in exhibitions and contests, leading to a notably calm and easygoing temperament. This breed is not inclined to bite and is generally unafraid of new people, often willingly hopping onto someone’s finger.

Regarding vocalization, the English Budgie is bred to be less noisy, chirping in a subdued manner. While it has the potential to learn a vast vocabulary similar to its Australian counterpart, its quiet nature means you might not always notice the many words it can mimic.

Training Your Pet English Budgie

Training a budgie to perch on your finger is beneficial. This skill makes removing the bird from its cage easier for cleaning, health checks, or bonding time, avoiding the stress of chasing it around.

It’s best to start this training early. Ideally, if you begin working with an English Budgie before it’s four months old, you can teach it to perch on your finger and train it to talk.

Health & Care

The English Budgie is nearly twice as large and heavy as its wild relatives, characterized by its impressive long tail feathers and vibrant colors. A well-cared-for budgie will regularly groom itself, maintaining clean and neat feathers.

If a budgie stops grooming, it could signify distress or illness. While English Budgies generally have a slightly shorter lifespan than their wild counterparts, usually by about a year, they still make for healthy pets.

Dietary Needs and Nutrition

English Budgies require a diet that includes a mix of high-quality seeds and pellets to provide balanced nutrition. They benefit from a variety of seeds like millet, canary seed, and oats, supplemented with specially formulated pellets. Fresh fruits and vegetables such as leafy greens, carrots, apples, and berries are essential for providing vitamins and minerals.

Given their larger size and longer feathers, they may need occasional protein sources like boiled eggs. Consistent access to fresh, clean water is crucial, and vitamin supplements, particularly for vitamin D and calcium, can be beneficial, especially if they have limited exposure to natural sunlight.

Ideal For

The English Budgie is an excellent choice for those seeking a calm, potentially affectionate bird companion. They are also great for enthusiasts interested in exhibiting their birds, and their trainability makes them suitable family pets for all ages.

American Budgie – Overview

Also known as an Australian Budgie, the American Budgie is significantly smaller than the English Budgie and hasn’t undergone the extensive selective breeding of its English counterpart.

American Budgie

Although larger than the wild budgie, it remains the closest to the wild variety in size. This breed tends to be noisier, more inclined to nibble on fingers, and is generally more challenging to train. Therefore, it might not be the best choice for those seeking a quieter avian companion.

Character & Behavior

The American Budgie’s personality is more aligned with its wild ancestors. It is chattier than the English Budgie, but this doesn’t necessarily mean it knows more words; instead, it’s more vocal in expressing itself. This breed is more expressive of its emotions and is more prone to nipping and biting fingers.

Due to its less calm and approachable nature, some owners find the American Budgie a more challenging companion to care for.

Training Your American Budgie

The training aspect further links the American Budgie to its wild counterpart. Unlike the English Budgie, which can be easily trained to perch on a finger with minimal effort, teaching an American Budgie requires more time and patience.

It’s important to start early. Budgies are usually ready to be independent from their parents at about ten weeks old, and beginning training at this stage offers the best opportunity to nurture a well-mannered and well-adjusted family pet.

Health & Care

The American Budgie generally has a slightly longer lifespan than the English Budgie, living up to 10 years compared to the English variant’s 8 years, though this difference is not substantial. Like the English Budgie, the American Budgie is typically capable of self-preening and maintaining its cleanliness.

However, it’s still important for owners to regularly observe and ensure that the bird is grooming itself effectively and doesn’t require additional assistance.

Dietary Needs and Nutrition

American Budgies also thrive on a diet comprising a mix of seeds and pellets, ensuring a balanced intake of nutrients. The pellet portion is important as it helps prevent selective eating, a common issue with seed-only diets. A variety of fresh vegetables and some fruits are essential in providing necessary vitamins and minerals.

While similar to English Budgies in dietary needs, American Budgies might require slightly less protein supplementation. Fresh, clean water should be available at all times, and occasional vitamin supplements can be added to their diet to address any specific nutritional gaps. This diet supports the overall health and vitality of the American Budgie, considering its smaller size and active nature.

Ideal For

Bringing an American Budgie to your home demands extra effort. Significant time should be invested in familiarizing the bird with handling, and training should start as early as possible. This approach is vital in restraining its tendency to bite fingers.

Consequently, the American Budgie is most suitable for owners willing to dedicate the necessary time and patience and those who don’t mind the breed’s increased vocalization.

Comparison Table: American Budgie vs. English Budgie

Cost Comparison Between American Budgie vs English Budgie

Budgies are relatively affordable compared to other parrots, making them accessible to a wide range of people. Generally, they are seen as low-maintenance pets.

The average price for an American Budgie ranges from $15 to $30 in the United States. In contrast, an English Budgie can cost between $50 to $100 or more, especially if it’s a show-quality bird. This makes English Budgies more expensive than American Budgies.

The higher price of English Budgies can be attributed to their superior status as show birds, which many breeders take into consideration.

Quality Differences

There’s a noticeable difference in quality when comparing these two types of parrots. American Budgies often have less vibrant feathers compared to other parrots.

Quality Differences between American and English Budgie. Image: @budgie_buddies_aviary

However, English Budgies are celebrated for their bright colors and distinctive feather patterns unique to the breed. Additionally, they have longer tails, an essential trait for show birds.

Additional Costs

Beyond the initial purchase, expect ongoing expenses of $10 to $25 monthly for food and supplies. There may also be extra costs for treats, toys, and other enhancements for your pet, increasing the overall expenditure.

Additional expenses like vitamins, vet visits, cage cleaning supplies, and more will accumulate over time.

Talking Ability Difference

Both English parakeets and American parakeets are known for their impressive ability to mimic many words and phrases.

Generally, English budgies are more inclined to talk than American parakeets, though it depends on the individual bird. Some may be very vocal, while others are quieter.

Talking Ability Difference

On the other hand, American parakeets might pick up whistling more easily. Starting with teaching them to whistle can expedite their learning process. Familiarizing them with sound production is a helpful method in enabling young birds to imitate sounds more effectively.

An English budgie holds the record for the most words a bird learns, with a repertoire of over 1,500 words.

Effective Training Tips

• Patience is key when teaching parakeets to speak. Constant repetition is crucial for quick learning.
• Repeating words or phrases regularly will encourage your bird to mimic them.
• While some effort might be required, a parakeet will often start to repeat familiar sounds it frequently hears, like its name or the word “hello.”

Can English and American Budgies Live Together?

This question is common among bird enthusiasts, and the answer is affirmative: English and American Budgies can live together harmoniously.

English Budgies are known for their gentle nature, making them compatible with other budgies, including American Budgies. However, it’s essential to ensure that neither bird shows dominant or aggressive behavior that could lead to bullying.

Introducing them gradually is key to a successful cohabitation. Start by placing their cages near each other before moving them into the same cage. Remember, every bird has a unique personality, so if they don’t get along, it’s better to keep them separate to avoid potential conflicts or injuries.

Conclusion

English budgies are a great choice if you’re looking for a budgie that’s easier to train due to its calm nature. Their docile temperament makes them more amenable to training.

Conversely, American budgies are an excellent option if you prefer a bird with a livelier disposition. They are known for their active and energetic behavior.

English budgies often spend much time on the ground, exploring their surroundings by walking around your home. In contrast, American parakeets are more inclined to enjoy staying in their cages and engaging with toys like swings, showcasing their playful nature.

Umar Ali

Hi there! I’m Umar, a devoted pet lover and writer. I’m here to share my insights and experiences about all things pets. From training tips to heartwarming tales, join me in navigating the wonderful world of animals!

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