A budgie is a small, colorful parrot that people keep as a pet, also known as a budgerigar or parakeet. Budgies originally come from Australia, where they live in large flocks in the wild, but they've become one of the most popular pet birds in the world.

These cheerful little birds are about the size of your hand, with bright green and yellow feathers in the wild, though pet budgies have been bred in blues, whites, and other colors. They're known for being social and intelligent: many budgies can learn to mimic human words and sounds, and some become quite talented talkers. A budgie might learn to say “hello,” whistle a tune, or repeat phrases it hears.

Budgies are active and playful, hopping around their cages, playing with toys, and chirping constantly. In the wild, they fly in enormous flocks across the Australian outback, sometimes numbering in the thousands. Pet budgies need attention and interaction to stay happy, which is why many owners keep them in pairs so they have companionship.