Budgerigar: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Parrots and Toucans · day 4 of 7

Five facts

1. Budgerigar feathers fluoresce under ultraviolet light, which may play a part in courtship and mate selection.
2. Ultraviolet light brightens a budgie's feathers to attract mates. Its throat spots reflect UV, so individual birds can be told apart.
3. Budgies show affection by preening each other. They also feed each other, eating seeds first and then regurgitating them into a flockmate's mouth.
4. Budgerigar flocks follow food and water, and they have two flight speeds. Sometimes thousands swarm together.
5. A female budgie usually lays 4 to 8 eggs, one every other day, and sits on each one for about 21 days.

The quiz

1. What do budgerigar feathers do under ultraviolet light?

• They turn black
• They disappear from view
• They change shape
• They fluoresce (correct)

Budgerigar plumage fluoresces under ultraviolet light.

2. What do a budgie's throat spots reflect?

• UV light (correct)
• Heat
• Sound
• Moonlight only

The throat spots reflect UV and can be used to tell individual birds apart.

3. How do budgies feed one another?

• By dropping seeds from above
• By sharing a water hole
• By regurgitating seeds into a flockmate's mouth (correct)
• By carrying seeds in their feet

They eat seeds and then regurgitate them into a flockmate's mouth.

4. How many flight speeds do budgerigars have?

• One
• Two (correct)
• Three
• Five

Budgerigars have two distinct flight speeds.

5. How many eggs does a female budgie usually lay?

• Between four and eight (correct)
• Just one
• Exactly twelve
• Between twenty and thirty

A female usually lays 4 to 8 eggs, one every other day.

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