Tiny, tough, and a little tornado of colour. The budgerigar (or “budgie”) is one of Australia’s most iconic birds — and not just because it’s a global pet favourite. In the wild, these birds roam the arid interior in huge nomadic flocks, following the rains and blooming grasses. They're expert survivors, nesting in hollow branches and raising chicks in unpredictable conditions. Though they’re abundant in the wild, their ability to adapt is what makes them truly remarkable. And that beautiful green-and-yellow wild plumage? That’s the original — long before the blues and pastels of the aviary versions came along.