Petiska > Pets > Birds > Budgerigars > Budgie Anatomy [All Body Parts] +PHOTOS
Leslie Berry
Petiska Editor

Budgie Anatomy [All Body Parts] +PHOTOS

Budgies are one of the smallest and most famous members of the parrot family. Therefore, the budgie anatomy is one of the most studied topics in the bird’s world.

Budgie breeders and fanciers studied the budgie anatomy heavily to describe the mutations and quality of mutations. Especially, they studied the external organs such as feathers, wings, heads, etc.

Scientists also studied the internal organs of budgies. Of course, budgie breeders did not pay much attention to the internal organs.

Budgie Anatomy Diagram
Budgie Anatomy Diagram

In addition, male, female, baby, English, and wild budgies have the same anatomic features.

Skeleton

The skeleton of budgies is quite fragile.

Budgie Anatomy
Budgie Skeleton (Source: sympatico.ca)

Budgie Beak (Mouth) Anatomy

The beak of the budgies consists of two parts, the upper mandible, and the lower mandible.

Budgies can move the upper part of the beak. But they can’t move the lower part of the beak.

Budgie beaks are made of keratin. Besides, they have blood vessels inside the keratin structure. As a result, they can feel physical touches and the heat of the air. When we consider these features, we can say that budgie beaks are similar to the nails of people.

Budgie Anatomy
Budgie beak anatomy. Upper mandible and lower mandible parts of the beak.

Cere

Cere is located on top of the beak’s upper part (mandible). It consists of the skin, and it is sensitive to hormones.

Budgie Anatomy [All Body Parts]
Budgie ceres image

The color and surface area of the budgie’s cere change depending on health, whether it is in breeding season or not, and sex.

Out of the breeding seasons, a normal female budgie has white and tones close to white, while a male budgie has purple and blue color cere.

During the breeding seasons, a female budgie has a tan (brown) colored cere with a crusty surface. Besides, the male budgie has a darker purple and darker blue with a polished surface.

Cheek patches

Cheek patches are located under the eyes and at the level of the beak. Budgie’s cheeks can be white, gray, violet, blue, or pale blue. They also can be a mixture of these colors.

Many budgie mutations modify the color of the cheek patches.

Budgie cheek patches examples image.
Budgie cheek patches examples image.

Throat Spots

Black or gray dots that line the throat of budgies like a necklace are called throat spots. Wild budgies often have six throat spots. On the other hand, budgies may have more than six throat spots due to mutations.

In addition, particular mutations can dilute, change or eliminate throat spots at certain levels. For example, the ino gene removes all throat spots, while the cinnamon gene adds a shade of brown to throat spots.

Budgie throat spots examples image
Budgie throat spots examples image

Ear Coverts

Ear coverts are the feathers that cover the budgie’s ears.

A budgie ear coverts feathers
A budgie ear coverts feathers

Mantle

The mantle area is located between the top of the wings and the back of the neck.

Budgie mantle area
Budgie mantle area

Mask

The mask area in budgies refers to the front side of the head. A budgie mask can be white or yellow.

Budgie white or yellow masks image
Budgie white or yellow masks image

Rump

The rump is the area that is above the tail.

Budgie Anatomy [All Body Parts]
Budgie Anatomy [All Body Parts]

Vent (Cloaca)

The vent is the bottom area of the budgie that is used for mating, egg-laying and throwing out all waste.

Budgie vent area
Budgie vent (cloaca) area

Eye Anatomy

The eye anatomy of budgies is similar to other bird species. Besides, some budgie species have unique eye colors that are caused by mutations such as full red and black.

Some budgies have lost or faded white iris rings due to mutations, such as double factor spangle, recessive pied, and dark eyed clear.

In addition, baby budgies have no iris rings until 4-6 months old.

Budgie eyes
Budgie eyes image

Foot And Leg Anatomy

Budgies are zygodactyl which means they have a total of four toes, with two toes extending forward and 2 toes rearward.

Budgie Anatomy [All Body Parts]
Budgie zygodactyl feet

Feathers

The feathers of budgies, like beaks and nails, are made of keratin. In addition, feathers have many features that make life easier for the budgerigar.

The feathers of budgies regulate body temperature, reduce heating, protect against physical damages, and provide a waterproof layer.

Budgie feathers also have UV-reflective properties for courtship and communication.

Budgie Anatomy [All Body Parts]
Budgie feathers under UV light (Source: danielszalai.com)
Budgie Anatomy [All Body Parts]
A typical budgie feather image

The parts of a feather of a budgie are listed as follows:

  • Rachis: the central shaft that holds together the feather.
  • Vane: flat segments on either side of the rachis.
  • Hallow shaft, calamus (quill): the larger part of the rachis that is attached to the skin or bone of the budgie.
  • Barb: each of the individual branches that are attached and extend laterally from the rachis.
  • Barbules: each of the individual branches that are attached and extend laterally from the barbs.
  • After feather: the lower barbs of a feather that are between downy barbs and barbs.
  • Downy barbs: the barbs that aren’t hooked together at the base of the feather.
Quill, rachis, barb, barbule, hook image of the budgie feathers
Quill, rachis, barb, barbule, hook image of the budgie feathers (Source: britannica.com)

Wing Anatomy

The wings are one of the most important body parts of budgies. As flying creatures, budgies must use their wings to migrate and protect themselves from predators.

If a budgie’s wing is somehow injured and becomes unable to fly, the bird’s survival is nearly impossible.

The main wing feathers are connected directly to the bones with connective tissues. This feature is essential for easy flight control. Besides, it helps the wing feathers to join together with other parts of the body.

On the other hand, wing feathers that are not attached to the wing bones are attached to the skin and muscles.

Budgie Anatomy
Budgie Wing Anatomy Image (Source: parrotfunzone.com)

The primary and secondary feathers of budgies are connected with main wing bones. Besides, the primary covers, the secondary coverts, alula (bastard wings), marginal coverts, etc. are connected with bones, muscles, and skin.

Coverts (tectrices)

The budgie feathers also have covert feathers that cover other feathers, such as flight and tail feathers. They also have no role in flying ability.

The covert feathers have names that come from where they are placed, such as ear coverts.

Some feathers get their names from where they are found. For example, the feathers that cover the ears are called ear coverts.

Internal Anatomy (Internal Organs)

Budgies have organs that are unique to birds and not found in other animals such as cats and dogs.

Here is the list of internal organs of a budgie:

  • Cloaca
  • Coracoid
  • Crop
  • Duodenum
  • Ear
  • Gizzard
  • Heart
  • Kidney
  • Liver
  • Lung
  • Oesophagus
  • Pectoral muscles
  • Proventriculus
  • Ribs
  • Small intestine
  • Testis
  • Tongue
  • Trachea
  • Ureter
  • Vas deferens
  • Vent
Budgie Anatomy [All Body Parts]
A bird’s internal organs image (Source: community.fortunecity.ws)

Digestive Tract

The digestive tract (system) of a budgie is similar to the avian digestive system.

The digestive system of budgies consists of the following organs:

  • Small intestine
  • Bill
  • Esophagus
  • Crop
  • Ceca
  • Proventriculus
  • Gizzard or ventriculus
  • Gall bladder
  • Large intestine
  • Duodenum
  • Pancreas
  • Liver
  • Cloaca
Budgie Anatomy [All Body Parts]
An avian digestive tract (system) image (Source: people.eku.edu)
Where is Budgies Heart?

Budgie’s heart is located in the chest area and at the place where the liver and lung touch each other. In addition, a budgie’s heart is located slightly to the right of the center of the body.

Do Budgies Have Teeth?

No, budgies don’t have teeth.

REFERENCES:

  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medicine/covert-feather