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Birds of Zihuatanejo

CLASS AVES

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Birds (Class Aves)

-Parrots (Order Psittaciformes)

-Old World Parrots (Family Psittaculidae)

-Lories, Lorikeets, Budgerigar and Fig-Parrots (Subfamily Loriinae)

-Budgerigars (Genus Melopsittacus)

-Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus)

-Domestic Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus f. domesticus)


The Melopsittacus undulatus, also known as the Budgerigar, is a species of parakeet native to Australia. They inhabit scrublands, grasslands, and woodlands, stretching across most of the continent. Budgerigars have a vibrant green body, with yellow heads and wings, and black stripes on their cheeks. They feed mainly on grass seeds, supplemented with fruits, vegetables, and other small foods. This one is probably an escaped pet now living in the bushes around Zihua.

Budgerigar

Melopsittacus undulatus

Diet

  • Primarily seeds of native grasses and other herbaceous plants.

  • Also feeds on grains, fruits, berries, buds, and occasionally small insects.

  • Forages in flocks on the ground, often travelling long distances in search of food and water.

Range

  • Native to Australia, where it is widespread throughout the arid and semi-arid interior.

  • One of the world's most popular pet birds and has established feral populations in several countries.

  • In Mexico, it is not native. Escaped or released pet birds are occasionally seen, but there are no widespread, self-sustaining wild populations, including in the Zihuatanejo region.

  • Naturally inhabits open grasslands, shrublands, savannas, and lightly wooded areas near water.

Male / Female

  • Male: Usually has a bright blue cere (the fleshy area above the bill) in adults. Wild birds are predominantly green and yellow with black barring on the head, neck, and wings.

  • Female: Adult females have a tan, brown, or whitish cere, which becomes dark brown and crusty during the breeding season.

  • The cere colour is the easiest and most reliable way to distinguish adult males from females.

  • Domestic budgerigars occur in many colour mutations (blue, white, yellow, violet, pied, albino, lutino, etc.), but the cere remains the primary sex indicator.

Size

  • Length: 18–20 cm (7–8 in)

  • Wingspan: 30–36 cm (12–14 in)

  • Weight: 30–40 g

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