Breeding forms

In the meantime there are many breeding forms of budgies from the Hansi-Bubis, which are still closest to the wild form, over the large standard budgies to some very dubious breeding forms.

Wild form

Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) are originally from Australia, where they live together in huge flocks in the hot semi-arid and arid inland landscapes.

In the wild, there are no different color strokes, as these would be particularly conspicuous and fall prey to predators. Thus, the wild budgies in Australia are all green-yellow, which is at the same time a relatively good camouflage for them.

• Size: 16 – 20cm
• Weight: approx. 30g
• Plumage: Light green to rich green plumage with black wavy markings, a yellow face and blue-black tail feathers. In addition, they each have 3 throat spots and blue-purple beard spots

Hansi – Bubi

The budgies that are normally kept here are the so-called “Hansi-Bubis”. This breeding form comes closest to theoriginal wild form, but in contrast to thewild form, it is available in many different colors.

• Size: approx. 16 – 19cm
• Weight: approx. 30 – 45g
• Plumage: Many different plumage colors, depending on the color pattern. In addition, a maximum of 3 throat pats each.

Rainbow

The Rainbow-Wellensittichen are actually only a special color stroke of the Hansi-Bubis.

The special thing about this one is the colors that run into each other. Basically, it is a yellow-headed opaline light wing in light blue, dark blue, mauve, purple or cinnamon colors.

Since Rainbows are so popular with many breeders and keepers, they are now unfortunately often particularly heavily overbred and correspondingly susceptible to disease.

• Size: approx. 16 – 19cm
• Weight: approx. 30 – 45g
• Plumage: Plumage colors from the blue series. In addition, a maximum of 3 throat pats each.

Semi-standard

The Semi-Standard Parakeet is a hybrid of the Hansi-Bubi and the Standard. However, unlike the show wave parakeets, they do not have the same problems regarding flying and vision.

These are not only larger, but often have (depending on the color) significantly more than 3 throat spots each and a pronounced forehead area.

• Size: about 20 – 21cm
• Weight: approx. 45g
• Plumage: Many different plumage colors, depending on the color pattern. Often more than 3 throat strokes each.

Standard

Standard wave parakeets are usually the so-called show wave parakeets, which are bred for certain characteristics and “beauty ideals”.

These are clearly larger than the Hansi-Bubis, have a stocky, strong physique and a somewhat bulging forehead. The eyes appear rather sunken and are often partially covered by feathers.

The flight behavior of these can be described as very ponderous and there are also show wave parakeets that are so large that they have difficulty flying.

• Size: approx. 22 – 26cm
• Weight: approx. 50 – 55g
• Plumage: More voluminous plumage in different color strokes. However, mostly 6 large throat spots each.

Problematic breeding goals & torture breeding

Definition

Show wave parakeets

General

In the show wavy parakeet breeding specimens are the breeding target, which are conspicuous by their unusual body size, head width and head rounding.

Problem

Due to desired increase in body mass and size, a certain inertia (lethargy) has set in with many show wave parakeets.

Research also showed that show cormorants have a significantly lower life expectancy.

In addition to a restriction of the visual field due to the pronounced head feathering, budgies with strongly developed feathering around the eye (periocular feathering) are often prone to conjunctivitis (budgie conjunctivitis ).

Crested budgerigars

General

Purebred crested wave parakeets(homozygous), in which both parents have the corresponding gene, have at least two crested formation centers.

While in the other crested wave parakeets(heterozygous) there is only one feather vertebra on the front head.

Problem

Both forms of crested wave parakeets have an unusually high mortality of 48%.

Mortality (lethality) is due to the development of hydrocephalus (embryonic hydrocephalus), which can result in death due to cerebral hemorrhage on the 12th day of incubation.

The surviving birds show numerous unusual features or defects (anomalies) due to the abnormal=¹ not normal ² brain enlargement:

• Muscle tremor ( = trembling of the muscles)
• Balance and coordination disorders
• unusual behavior (behavioral defects)

In purebred crested wave parakeets, even smaller eggs with weaker chicks were also observed, which then often die during hatching.