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Birds are found on every continent on earth, including the most inhospitable. What is it about these creatures that stirs our imaginations, and drives us to open our own homes to some of them? Is it the enviable talent for flight, or the mysteries of their specialized intelligence?

Here at BirdHobbyist.com, we hope to spark a passion to continue to learn more every day about all of the inhabitants of our planet. In this section of our site, we're devoting space to species-specific information. Some profiles are written by our staff, and others by our members who have extensive experience with the species about which they have written. We're always looking for bird profiles; from the songbirds to waterfowl, from parrots to raptors, we'd love to consider your article. Send submissions to PH Christy.

Featured Profile: The Budgie
By Chiara Petro and KT Lyons

Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), or "betcherrygah" as the Aborigines of Australia call them, are small parrots sporting a long tapered tail. Originally from Australia, the wild budgerigar is a green bird, with a yellow face, and black spots on the mask, black wavy bands on the wings, back and head. Once taken out of their native land and bred, color mutations occurred so that now there are many color strains from which to chose.

Many people wonder if a parakeet and a budgerigar, also called a budgie, are the same thing. A budgie is always a parakeet but a parakeet isn't always a budgie. To clarify, parakeet means small parrot. There are a number of birds in the psittacine family that have parakeet in their names such as Bourke's parakeets, green cheeked parakeets, orange chinned parakeets, etc. A budgie is a type of parakeet.

Budgies are readily available at inexpensive prices. But don't let their inexpensive price fool you. Their small bodies are packed with a huge personality. Budgies are very playful and mischievous and in most cases, easily tamed. Plenty of toys and playtime should be provided. Balls and bells seem to be big favorites, as well as objects to climb. Be aware that you will need to carefully follow rules of safety when your budgie is enjoying out of cage time. They are very curious and can get into trouble very fast. Accidents are the leading cause of death in budgies. [MORE]