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Parakeet

life science Maturity 11-13 Next article →

A parakeet is a small or medium-sized parrot. These birds often have long, tapering tails. There are about 115 different species of these seed-eating birds. Most belong to a group called the genus Pyrrhura. The name comes from the French word perroquet. In modern French, people use the word perruche instead.

Melopsittacus undulatus -Atlanta Zoo, Georgia, USA-8a-2c
Melopsittacus undulatus -Atlanta Zoo, Georgia, USA-8a-2c

Many parakeets live in groups to raise their young. Being around other birds helps them breed more easily. However, space can sometimes cause fights between birds. Some breeders prefer to keep pairs alone. This helps them know exactly which parents had the babies. A budgerigar usually lays between 4 and 6 eggs. Other parakeet species lay a similar number of eggs.

Rose-ringed Parakeet RWD
Rose-ringed Parakeet RWD

Scientists first described the budgerigar in 1891. This bird is also called a shell parakeet. It is a very popular pet in Europe and North America. In fact, it is the third most popular pet in the world. Only cats and dogs are more common. Many different kinds are bred and sold as pets. The budgerigar is the most common one.

Melopsittacus undulatus -Atlanta Zoo, Georgia, USA-8a-2c
Melopsittacus undulatus -Atlanta Zoo, Georgia, USA-8a-2c

Some parakeets live in big cities around the world. Monk parakeets live in all five boroughs of New York City. They also live in the Hyde Park area of Chicago. In Brussels, Belgium, about 10,000 parakeets once lived. This made them one of the most common birds there. In Spain, populations reached 30,000 in places like Malaga. Authorities there even made plans to control the growing numbers.

Rose-ringed Parakeet RWD
Rose-ringed Parakeet RWD

Different names can be a bit confusing for readers. In American English, parakeet often means the budgerigar. Some people call small South American parakeets conures. The rose-ringed parakeet lives in Africa and Asia. In the United Kingdom, these birds grew from released pets. One theory says they arrived when actors filmed a movie. Another idea involves a famous musician on Carnaby Street.

Rose-ringed Parakeet RWD
Rose-ringed Parakeet RWD
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File:Melopsittacus undulatus -Atlanta Zoo, Georgia, USA-8a-2c.jpg
Melopsittacus undulatus -Atlanta Zoo,...
File:Rose-ringed Parakeet RWD.jpg
Rose-ringed Parakeet RWD.jpg
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