budgerigar

[ buhj-uh-ree-gahr, -er-i- ]

1. an Australian parakeet, Melopsittacus undulatus, having greenish plumage with black and yellow markings, bred as a pet in a variety of colors.

budgerigar

/ ˈbʌdʒərɪˌɡɑː /

noun

1. a small green Australian parrot, Melopsittacus undulatus : a popular cagebird that is bred in many different coloured varieties Often (informal) shortened tobudgie

Word History and Origins

Origin of budgerigar¹

First recorded in 1840–50; perhaps misrepresentation of Kamilaroi or Yuwaalaraay (an Australian Aboriginal language of northern New South Wales) gijirrigā (perhaps gijirr “yellow” or “small” + gā “head”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of budgerigar¹

C19: from a native Australian language

Example Sentences

In 1965 he appeared in a television performance of Billy Smart's Circus alongside "bewhiskered" period acrobats The Herculeans and a collection of trained budgerigars.

From BBC

In a study of budgerigars, for instance, birds who were unfamiliar with each other were placed together.

From The Guardian

Outback pools draw immense swarms of parakeets called budgerigars.

From Science Magazine

At the back, a room behind a rusty partition is stuffed with old furniture and has budgerigars singing in cages in each corner.

From BBC

Some studies suggest that rats at play make noises that encourage others to join the fun, and that budgerigars copy each others’ yawns and stretches.

From Nature