|
Habitat and behaviour
Budgerigars are nomadic birds found in open habitats, primarily in
Australian scrubland, open woodland and grassland. The birds are
normally found in small flocks, but can form very large flocks under
favourable conditions. The species is extremely nomadic and the
movement of the flocks is tied to the availability of food and
water.[6] Drought can drive flocks into more wooded habitat or
coastal areas. They feed on the seeds of spinifex, grass weeds, and
sometimes ripening wheat.
Feral birds have been found since the 1940s in the St. Petersburg,
Florida area of the United States, but are much less common than
they were in the early 1980s. Colder than normal winter temperatures
in some years and increased competition from European Starlings are
the main reasons for the declining population.
Breeding takes place generally between June and September in the
North and between August and January in the South but they are
opportunistic breeders responding to the rains when grass seeds
become most abundant.[6] Populations in some areas have increased as
a result of increased water availability at farms. The nest is in a
hole in a tree, fence post or even a log laying on the ground; the
4-6 eggs are incubated for 17-19 days, with the young fledging about
30 days after hatching.
Both male and female budgerigars sing and can learn to mimic sounds,
although both singing and mimicry are more pronounced in males.
|
