Um, I'm Very lost( budgie/parakeet differences)

[CNizzote]

I've only had my bird for about a month now. (such a stupid question) I thought it was a parakeet but it has a cere does that make it a budgie? is there a difference? please respond even tho this may seem like a dumb question
Thanx

[Joel]

Same bird even though it goes by a few different names. :)

[CNizzote]

oh,ok that clears up a few things,lol

[Monica]

Well, how about we clear it up even further???

If you look up parakeet in a dictionary, it means a small parrot with a long tail... This includes all birds from budgies, cockatiels all the way up to the larger conures (well, atleast in my book of 'Encyclopedia of Parakeets') and discludes lovebirds (and parrotlets, but the book includes them). Some dictionaries might say a parrot with a long tail, which would include all macaws, but this cant be because of the origions of the word "Parakeet".

I really don't have the basis for this, however the term "Parakeet" when split up is 'para' and 'keet'. 'Para' is derived from the word 'Parrot', while 'keet' means small.

There are many petshops that sell parakeets and english budgies... The parakeets are basically a smaller form of the english budgie, however, its still a budgie nonetheless... The smaller budgies are usually referred to as 'wild' or 'american' or even 'pet' budgies, while the english budgies are usually 'show' birds. Now, the proper name of a 'parakeet' is budgerigar, or budgie for short. Budgerigar use to mean 'good eats' to the aborigines of Australia, though now-a-ways in captivity, it's 'good pets'.

I know someone though that would argue with me by calling a cockatiel a parakeet, however, in simple terms, that is what they are.... This person however would argue with me as cockatiel means 'little cockatoo', and well, cockatoos aren't parakeets. Just had to mention this part...

So, discluding my conure, and cockatiel, I have 6 parakeets, however, only two of them are budgies.... The other 4 are a type of grass parakeet (sort of speaking, in general though, not going into details with these critters!), known as bourkes, or bourke parakeets. These are normally dark grey birds with a pink stomach, and blue bands on their foreheads, wings, and tails. Budgies may come in colors of blues and greys, but they don't come in colors of pink!!!

To put plain and simple, "All budgies are parakeets, but not all parakeets are budgies."

What gets on my nerves the most is when someone calls them a parakeet, when they KNOW their proper name is budgie. Knowing their proper name usually tells me that the owner has done more on educating themselves about their birds, where-as parakeet sounds like "I just got this bird at the store, I think it's a parakeet. I bought it for your daughter, and it only eats seeds." It makes me think of people who think that budgies are throw-away pets and easy to replace... Being that you are here at the bored though, shows that you are NOT one of those ignorant people and you want to learn how to care for your little feathered friend!

Believe me, its not a dumb or stupid question! There is one saying "He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever."

Anyway, welcome to the boards!!!

[CNizzote]

People are really helpful thanx alot Both of you :)

[Monica]

We are glad to help you!