Furry Diary

English Budgerigar

Melopsittacus undulatus

Also called Exhibition Budgerigar, Show Budgerigar

VarietyShort profile

From Developed in England from wild-type budgerigars imported from Australia, through selective breeding for larger size and exaggerated feathering.1

A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.

At a glance the quick version

Length18 to 20 cm23
Lifespan5 to 9 years14
Sizesmall

English budgerigars are similar in length to wild-type birds but are much bulkier and heavier.

Striking show appearance
Friendly and trainable
Lively and entertaining
Compact size suitable for indoor aviaries
15

Looks how to spot one

Feathers

English budgerigars have a much larger, rounder body than their wild cousins, with puffier head feathers that can partly hide the eyes and beak. Their feathering is fuller and more exaggerated, giving a bold, showy appearance.1

ColoursAlbinoBlueCinnamon-ino (lacewing)ClearwingCrestedDarkGreywingOpalinePiedSpangledDilute (suffused)Violet1

Personality what they are like

English budgerigars are social, curious and generally gentle. They enjoy interaction with their human carers and can become very tame. Like all budgies, they are flock birds and need company, either from people or other budgies. They can be trained to mimic speech and perform simple tricks.51

Daily activity how busy a day looks

They need at least an hour of supervised out-of-cage time daily for flying and exploring. Provide a variety of toys for climbing, foraging and chewing, such as destructible toys, foot toys and hanging perches.52

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Provide a shallow dish for bathing or mist with water a few times a week. Nail trimming is needed for comfortable handling. Wing trimming is recommended to prevent escape. Beaks usually stay healthy through normal use.5

Home where they are happiest

A cage at least 76 cm (30 inches) long is recommended. For two birds, a cage 30x18x18 inches is suitable. The cage should be placed in a well-lit, draught-free area with a predictable day-night cycle. English budgerigars are not venomous, protected or illegal to keep in most countries, but check local regulations.25

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A high-quality pelleted diet should make up 60-70% of the diet, supplemented with fresh vegetables, fruits and a small amount of seed. Fresh water must be available daily. Avoid avocado, chocolate and caffeine.52

Company who they like around

Budgerigars are highly social flock birds. A single bird needs a lot of human attention; otherwise, keep at least two together. They should not be housed with larger parrots that may bully them.51

The story where it all began

The English budgerigar is a selectively bred variety developed in England since the 1850s. Breeders aimed for a much larger bird with a more imposing head and fuller feathering, in contrast to the smaller, sleeker wild-type budgie. This show variety is now a fixture at bird exhibitions and is prized by hobby keepers for its dramatic appearance.1

Recognised by the official bits

Budgerigar Society (UK)
Recognised as a distinct show variety with its own breed standard for size, head shape and feathering.1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a English Budgerigar. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

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Treats they will love homemade and simple

Budgie Seed Bells

A fun homemade treat that mimics shop-bought seed bells, giving budgies a foraging activity and a tasty reward.

You need

  • 150g bird seed mix
  • 2 egg whites
  • Rapeseed oil
  • Greaseproof paper
  • Small terracotta pots
  • 20cm lengths of wire

How

  1. Beat the egg whites until frothy.
  2. Mix the frothy egg whites with the bird seed mix.
  3. Grease the greaseproof paper with a little rapeseed oil and line the insides of the terracotta pots.
  4. Fill the pots with the seed mixture.
  5. Insert both ends of a 20cm wire through the drainage hole in the base of the pot, so a loop of wire sits inside the mixture.
  6. Bake the pots in a cool oven at 80-90°C (175-200°F) for 90 minutes, checking after the first hour to ensure the mixture has set.
  7. Allow to cool completely, then gently remove the seed bells from the pots and peel away the paper.
  8. Hang from the cage roof by looping the wire ends through and around the bars, ensuring no sharp ends are accessible.

How much: Offer one seed bell occasionally as a treat, not as a daily food.

Recipe from Omlet UK

Budgie Cookie Treats

A nutritious, homemade biscuit that provides variety and enrichment, using safe ingredients like vegetables and seeds.

You need

  • 3 tbsp chopped vegetables and greens (e.g., carrot tops, kale)
  • 100g wholemeal flour
  • 100g maize flour (cornmeal)
  • 60g crushed budgie pellets OR ground mixed seeds and grains
  • 1 small carrot, grated
  • 1 dried fig, finely chopped
  • 60g mixed seeds, whole
  • 150ml water

How

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
  2. Mix all the ingredients together to form a stiff dough. Add a little more water if too dry, or more flour if too wet.
  3. Roll the dough into small balls in the palm of your hand.
  4. Place the balls on a floured baking tray and flatten each until 1cm thick.
  5. Prick the biscuits all over with a toothpick.
  6. Bake at 180°C for 15 minutes.
  7. Allow to cool completely before serving.

How much: Offer one small cookie as an occasional treat, not a daily food.

Recipe from Omlet UK

Fresh Greens for Canaries and Finches

A simple, healthy treat that adds essential vitamins and moisture to the diet, mimicking natural foraging.

You need

  • Small pieces of fresh, washed greens (e.g., parsley, carrot tops, kale, red leaf lettuce, endive, dandelion, chickweed, or groundsel)

How

  1. Wash the greens thoroughly to remove any pesticides or dirt.
  2. Cut into small, bird-sized pieces (about thumbnail size for a canary or finch).
  3. Offer a small portion in a clean dish or clipped to the cage bars.
  4. Remove any uneaten greens after a few hours to prevent spoilage.

How much: Offer a small portion several times a week as a treat, making up about 20-25% of the daily diet.

Recipe from VCA Animal Hospitals

Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise.

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my English Budgerigar?

Feeding frequency is not specified in our sources; it varies by diet and individual. Consult your vet for a tailored schedule.

What does an English Budgerigar eat, and what should it never eat?

Your English Budgerigar should eat a high-quality pelleted diet making up 60-70% of meals, plus fresh vegetables, fruits and a little seed. Always avoid avocado, chocolate and caffeine.52

How much space does an English Budgerigar need?

A cage at least 76 cm (30 inches) long is recommended; for two birds, 30x18x18 inches works well. Place it in a well-lit, draught-free area.25

What temperature, light or water does an English Budgerigar need?

Provide fresh water daily and a predictable day-night cycle. Temperature specifics aren't given, so ask your vet for ideal ranges.52

How often should I clean an English Budgerigar's home?

Cleaning frequency isn't detailed in our sources; it depends on setup and number of birds. Ask your vet or a good breeder for a routine.

Can an English Budgerigar live with others?

English Budgerigars are highly social flock birds. They can live with other budgies but not with larger parrots that may bully them.51

How long does an English Budgerigar live?

Lifespan isn't covered in our sources; it varies with care and genetics. Consult your vet for expected longevity.

Can I handle an English Budgerigar?

Yes, they are gentle and can become very tame with regular interaction. Supervised out-of-cage time daily helps bonding.512

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

  1. en.wikipedia.org: Budgerigar en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, lifespan years, coat or body, colours, best traits, temperament, social needs, history, fun fact
  2. parrots.org: budgerigar parrots.orgused for length cm, activity needs, habitat needs, diet basics
  3. petdoc.ws: BudgerigarCare petdoc.wsused for weight kg, length cm
  4. dubaibirds.ae: budgerigar care dubaibirds.aeused for lifespan years, fun fact
  5. petmd.com: budgie care sheet petmd.comused for best traits, temperament, activity needs, grooming or care, habitat needs, diet basics, social needs
  6. VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
  7. ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
  8. ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
  9. ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
  10. RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions

Checked 2026-10-02. Text is written in our own words from these sources.