Ok Im Confused!!:confused:

[Andres_424]

First I was searching the forums, then I found this post:

http://birdboard.com/forum/showthrea...=Budgie+Forums

I started to read it, then I got the the middle of the thread and got confused for some reason. I know Budgies are a species of Parakeets just like Quakers, Ring-Necks, Pricess of Wales, and etc. The definition of Parakeets is any small parrot with a long tapering tail I know that ok. Here's the dumb question of the day what I don't get is are Cockatiels and Conures considered Parakeets? I never really considered them as parakeets, but I'll wait to see what all of you guys have to say. Hope I learn something new today.

[Monica]

I have the "Encyclopedia of Parakeets" sitting right next to me (well, been using it as a mouse pad really... since the mouse doesn't like the desk... and it's handy to have right next to the comp!).

Here's some of the species it lists....

Night parakeet
Grown Parakeet
Horned Parakeet
Budgie
Bourkes
Cockatiel
Swift Parakeet
King Parakeet/Parrot
Red Winged Parakeet/Parrot
Rosellas
Parrotlets
Ringnecks
Monk Parakeets (Quakers)
Pyrrhura Species (green cheeks, maroon tailed, hoffmans, etc)
Yellow Eared Conure
Golden Plumed Conure
Nanday Conure
Aratinga Species (suns, jendays, mitred, finschs, etc)
Patagonian Conure
Thick Billed Parakeet/Parrot


So, in answer to your question, yes they are considered parakeets. Parrotlets are in this book, but not lovebirds. Cockatiels are, although I know of someone who'd argue that they should be classified with cockatoos, and indeed so are conures! In the scientific world, it's not uncommon to hear of conures being called 'parakeet', although to someone who is only used to a budgie being called a keet this would really confuse them.

[Andres_424]

Thanks. I never knew that conures and cockatiel are considered parakeets. At least now I know so thank you I really appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Monica

although to someone who is only used to a budgie being called a keet this would really confuse them.

That's true. If you say the word Budgie where I live nobody knows what that is.

[Mike B]

Here read this link http://www.arndt-verlag.com/index.html. It should clear the confusion.

Mike

[tielfan]

The classification of cockatiels is a bit controversial, since they have some characteristics of cockatoos and some characteristics of grass parakeets. Their nesting habits and head crests are more like the cockatoos, while their body shape and feeding habits are more like the grass parakeets.

So some people say they belong in one group and some say they belong in the other. As far as 'official' classification goes, they're in the cockatoo family and black cockatoo subfamily, but they have their own separate genus that does not include any other species. Here's the complete rundown:

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Cacatuidae
Subfamily: Calyptorhynchinae
Genus: Nymphicus
Species: N. hollandicus

[Andres_424]

Thanks. I always thought they were in the too family.