By Shikhar 
The black faced budgie, also called the black budgerigar, intrigued both ornithologists and pet enthusiasts. Together they are unusual looking birds that differ from the usual bird species that occur here as well as they have interesting genes and backgrounds. In this blog article, we are going to cover everything you need to know about the black faced budgie, from its origins, physical features, behavior and its care needs.
Where Did The Black Faced Budgie’s Come From?
Black faced budgie is a colour variation and not a separate species of the normal budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus). Budgerigars are native to Australia, and they live in large flocks in great numbers. Wild budgerigars usually had black marks and green and yellow hue. Selective breeding of budgerigar years have targeted to accentuate and improve the black marks to produce the black budgerigar.
Selective breeding in captivity has resulted in a variety of hues and mutations among hobbyist breeders, especially among budgies. One of the rarest and most remarkable mutations, the black faced budgie gets the look of having a “black face” from its darker facial marks. The black faced budgie is a very unusual bird as it shows a more concentrated black hue than the regular black stripes that show only on the wings and head of ordinary budgies.
Black Faced Budgie – Physical Appearence
The black faced budgie stands out from other budgies with its distinctive dark facial marks. Sometimes the black hue stretches from the face down to the breast, producing an amazing contrast with the other vivid colors of the bird. Although most budgies have a mix of green, yellow, and black plumage, the busually has a more muted palette with an eye toward deeper tones.
The black faced budgie is petite, usually measuring approximately 18 cm (7 inches), same as other budgies. Their weight is between 30 and 40 grams and their wingspan is around 30 cm (12 inches). The bird budgerigar has a thin body, a quite long tail, and wings that enable its rather great agility in flying. These birds are sexually dimorphic, hence their cere—the region above the beak—often allows men and females to be differentiated. Males usually have blue cere; in females, it is brown or white.
Black Faced Budgie – Actions and Temperament
The black faced budgie is renowned for being sociable, pleasant, and lively, much like other budgerigars are. Highly clever birds, they may form intimate bonds with their humans. Popular among bird lovers who like conversing with their birds, some people can even learn to replicate human speech.
Usually very active, the black budgerigar likes to flit around its surroundings. Maintaining the health of these birds depends on enough area for activity. Toys, mirrors, and interactive play can provide mental stimulation needed to avoid boredom. Ignoring their mental demands may cause behavioral issues such as feather plucking or hostility, just as with other birds.
Black faced budgies would dwell in great groups in the wild, so they are quite active birds. If you are thinking of keeping one as a pet, you should provide company—from another budgie or via consistent human engagement. These sociable birds may get lonely if left alone for too long; they thrive in groups.
Featured image courtesy: https://www.parrot4sale.com/ad/5hA5ikf5rdQ4
Black Faced Budgie – Care Needs
Although black faced budgie care is somewhat simple, there are certain important considerations to guarantee its welfare. To be healthy, they, like other budgerigars, need a balanced diet, enough room, and mental stimulation.
1. Diet
The bird budgerigar mainly feeds on seeds, but fresh fruits and vegetables should be added to make sure it is getting everything it needs. A black faced budgie should have a balanced diet comprising:
- Specifically designed for budgerigars, a seed mix
- Fresh apples, pears, and berries among other things.
- Foods including cucumbers and carrots
Avoid offering meals that are heavy in salt, sugar or fat as they can cause health issues overtime. Moreover, fresh, clean water are always required.
2. Residential Situation
An unhindered black budgerigar’s cage should be big enough to move and exercise. Bigger is generally better, though a cage minimum size of 18x18x24 inches is recommended. The cage should have swings and/or toys, as one works to give the fun of physical exercise.
3. Health care
Frequent visits to a vet specialised in taking care of black faced budgies is needed to keep them healthy. Dietary inadequacies, feather problems and respiratory infections are common health problems in budgies. Look for your bird for symptoms of disease such as tiredness, behavioral changes, or loss of appetite.
Budgerigars will often have overgrown beaks and nails and may require expert treatment. This will help ensure that they have access to cuttlebone to keep proper form on their beaks.
4. Genetics and Breeding
Breedings black faced budgies might not be easy but may not be a bad idea. The black budgerigar mutation is recessive, so a pair of birds with the gene for the black face do not produce offspring with the same feature unless they are both paired.
It’s like having the gene if one parent has it but very attractive black face the kids won’t have it, but they can carry and pass it on to the next generation.
5. Lifespan
Though some may live even longer with good care, a healthy black faced budgie may live between five and ten years. Long and happy life depends on a well-balanced diet, frequent exercise, and mental stimulation. Extending the lifetime of your bird depends mostly on a stress-free surroundings, frequent health check-ups, and social contact.
The black faced budgie is a rather unusual and interesting bird. For those who like birds, its amazing look, and playful actions make it a great buddy. The benefits of having a black budgerigar as a friend are great, even if it may need some specific attention—especially with regard to feeding and mental stimulation.
Whether you keep pets or breeder birds, knowing their requirements will enable you to provide your feathered buddy a good and healthy life.