Discover the captivating world of parrots and parakeets—small, vibrant wonders with engaging personalities. Find out more about this diverse parrot family
I have a friend who only recently got his first bird, a rose-ringed parakeet named Tia.
But he is pretty confused about the difference between parakeets and parrots because all his life, he knew any colorful bird that can mimic human speech, has a curved beak, and four-toed feet is a parrot.
So, are parakeets🐦 parrots🦜?
Well, yes, parakeets are parrots, only that both words are generic, non-scientific terms used to identify different species, usually in reference to a bird’s body features.
While parrot refers to any bird that belongs to the order Psittaciformes (all 400+ species), the term parakeet is used to describe small, slender-bodied parrots with long tails (compared to their bodies) and ribbon-like feathers that fan out during flight.
Moreover, parakeet applies only to parrots whose name ends in ‘parakeet’ such as Indian-Red-Ringneck, Red-Breasted, Rose-Ringed, and Monk Parakeet, rather than Cockatoos, Lories, Lorikeets, Conures, Macaws, and African grey parrots.
See more insight on parakeets and parrots below.
What are The Differences Between Parrots and Parakeets (Budgies)
I know I’ve somewhat portrayed parrots and parakeets as the same bird in the introduction above, which is technically true.
But the two are only similar in the same way a BMW X5 M sport is to any other BMW X5. They are the same car but with some conspicuous and distinctive differences.
Anywhere from their size to tail and feather configuration, parakeets are moderately distinct from other parrots.
Perhaps, a few things are standard, including their colorful plumage, four-toed feet, curved beaks, speech mimicry, typical diet, temperament, and behavior.
So, what is different between parrots and parakeets?
Well, there is…
- Body size
- Tail configuration
- Beak strength
- Temperament and agrresion
- Appearance
- Origin
Body Size
Parakeets are a relatively small species of birds that enjoy each other’s company, and several can happily share a cage.
Compared to other parrots, most parakeets are on the tinnier end of the spectrum even when comparing them to parrotlets, such as conures and lorikeets.
An averagely sized Budgie only grows to an adult size anywhere between 18 and 20 cms, though some like Quakers (Monk, Grey-breasted parakeets) can reach parrotlet size (28 to 30 cms).
According to Wikipedia, the biggest parakeet is the Alexandrine, measuring 28 to 35 cms from top of the head to the tip of the tails, which is shabby comparison to African greys, not to mention the Hyacinth Macaw.
Tail Configuration
Although parakeets belong to the genus Psittacines (parrot), they have a distinctive tail from other parrots.
Parakeets have a long tail compared to their small size, composed of several ribbon-like feathers that fan out during flight.
Parrots, on the other hand, have stout, wedge-shaped tails that do not fan out in flight and are well suited for the bird’s overall body size.
Beaks
Perhaps this is due to their smaller, less threatening body size, but for some reason, parakeets also seem to have less prominent beaks. Albeit strong like the beak on any parrot species, they tend to be lesser biters than big African greys, macaws, and cockatoos.
However, the beak on an adult-size parakeet, especially if it’s the big kind, will pack almost as much strength as any medium-sized parrot, say a conure or rainbow lorikeet.
With a well-placed bite, they can chew or rip any chewable items in your house, though what would naturally take a cockatoo an hour will take a parakeet the better part of a day to go through.
Temperament and Demeanour
From experience, parakeets seem less aggressive than larger parrots. Again this could be because of their lesser bodies and confrontational nature.
I’ve experienced an Alexandrian parakeet raised with an African grey, with the grey being more outgoing, aggressive, and all-around mischievous than the parakeet.
It could be the behavior was specific to particular pair, though I’ve also had a couple of keepers make the argument above in forums and what have you.
Are Parakeets and Budgies The Same (Parakeets vs Budgies)
The word parakeets denote seed-eating parrots with a long tapering tail, small size, and slender build compared to other stockier parrots or those with a different tail configuration.
Since budgies fit the description of a parakeet, the two words can be used interchangeably, though not all keets are budgerigars, albeit all budgies are parakeets.
In the dictonary sense of the word, parakeets encompass some 115 species of parrots in 30 genera of the subfamily Psittacinae, with Budgies, IRNs (Indian Ring Necks), and monk parakeets (Quaker parrot) being some of the most popular in the hobby.
Conversely, budgerigar (or simply budgie) is a species-specific word for common (shell) parakeet, a small, long-tailed, seed-eating parrot in the genus Melopsittacus, popularly kept as a pet bird and mostly comes in green, yellow, and blue shade, with scalloped marking on the nape, back, and wings.
However, keep in mind budgie (or budgerigar) is mostly used in the UK (and pretty much every other place on earth), while in the US, they are simply called parakeets, in reference to common shell parakeet.
Now, from the perspective of a direct comparison, it might not be possible to distinguish parakeets from budgies (one vs the other) unless you have a specific keet in mind, such as Quaker.
Is A Budgie A Parrot (Part of The Parrot Family)
Yes, a budgie is a parrot the same way it is a parakeet.
Think of it as the parrot being the grandfather in a family tree. Then your parakeets, lories, lorikeets, and other parrot subtypes, as the sons and daughters.
Then budgies, IRN’s, and Quakers as the grandchildren from the daughter (or son) parakeet, the same way, rainbow, coconut, scaly-breasted, red-collared, ornate, olive-headed, sunset, and marigold are all grandkids from the son (or daughter) lorikeet.
However, note that this analogy is only limited to the bird’s appearance (body build and tail configuration) and not the genus or species.
In the taxonomic rank, IRN’s are not in the same genus as budgerigars, and neither are they natives of the same place on earth.
What is The Difference Between A Budgie and A Parakeet
A budgie and a parakeet are the same bird when considering the different namings used in America and the UK.
The birds are called parakeets in the US and budgies in the UK and Australia.
However, when considering a budgie (shell parakeet) to other parakeets such as IRN, the most noticeable difference is the body size.
A budgie is one of the smallest parrots and parakeets in the world, especially when considering the types kept at home as pets.
Perhaps, the other difference in almost all parakeets is the plumage color and native wild. Otherwise, they are all long-tail, seed-eating parrots.
Can Parakeets Talk like Parrots
As with most parrots, some parakeets can talk and mimic human speech better than others. Case in point, budgies have an impressive talking ability considering their tiny bodies.
As such, the ability to talk is not reserved for parrots or parakeets, but pretty much an ability that all psittacines share to varying extents.
Perhaps the most formidable talker is the African grey, but budgies, IRNs, Quakers, Amazons, Cockatoos, and Macaws have decent speech knacks.
Well, that’s all for this post. See you in the next one.
All the best with you parakeet🦜🦜.