One of the most popular breeds of domestic bird is the parakeet, or budgerigar. These small birds originate from the grasslands and woods of central and southern Australia. In the wild, budgies are striped green and yellow with dark green flight feathers; domestic parakeets have been bred to include just about every color of the rainbow. Parakeets have been bred in captivity since the 1800s — and are still common as pets today. Their small size (under eight inches in length from tip of the tail to the tip of the beak) makes them easy to keep and care for. … Continue reading →