2 kinds of budgies?

[bunny]

Hi there
I hope that you can help me.
What is the difference between a show budgie and a normal budgie?
Are they able to be crossed ?
Thanx

[Monica]

A show budgie is an English budgie.

A 'normal' budgie is most often referred as an American budgie.

An explorer went to Australia, and brought back with him several budgies to Europe where these budgies were bred. Through years of extensive breeding these birds changed from the wild (or 'normal') type. Some of these birds were brought to America where breeding for certain traits or the like was not very important. These birds remained smaller as many people didn't care about specific traits as the Europeans did. (To put very simplistically)

So to say, then English and American budgies are breeds of the Wild Budgies, even though American budgies usually resemble the Wild Budgies the most. It's kind of like an Alaskan Husky, and Siberian Malamute, both are distant relatives of the Timber Wolves (if I remember correctly, all dogs are).


I show/English budgie are usually bred for size, and their ability to raise their crest. They are normally larger than American and wild budgies, though usually tend to have a shorter lifespan the American budgie.

The normal/American budgies are usually bred mostly for pet quality, or to be pets. If fed a healthy diet may outlive the larger breed of budgies.

If you are still reading this and you are still unsure if you can breed an English and an American budgie together, yes you can. Many people have bred these two breeds together before, and it just usually creates a larger pet budgie unless you are trying to breed for specific traits in one of them then it may not be such a good idea.

[bunny]

Hi Monica
Thanx for replying. :)
I have just one more question.
Do they behave the same way,the American budgie and the english budgie?
Thanx
Janine :)

[Monica]

They may act similar, though the 'normal' budgies usually tend to be more hyper. I have only seen a few english budgies in a petshop and they were not all that hyper compared to the others. I really can't say much about how english act as I haven't seen any others nor do I own any english for myself.

[kathy5]

hi hopefully this will help

english budgie


there bigger & have larger through spots


american budgie


i find that english budgies are mean looking

[Monica]

Here is a good size comparison between two...

[kathy5]

oooooh that is good thanks

[Monica]

Your welcome Kathy, n Tritak Thanks!

[pheonixfire]

lol, have you guys seen those cats that look like they ran into a window, and their faces are all squashed, and angry? Thats what the english budgy kind of look like (but just like the cat they are cute in their own funny way)!

[kathy5]

yes I have seen english budgies In pet stores around here for as much as 50.00 where an american budgie usually is 20.00