parakeet

A parakeet is a small parrot with a slim body and a long tail. Many are kept as pets because they are colorful, active, and social. Some can copy sounds, and a few can learn simple words. In everyday English, people often use "parakeet" for a budgie, but the word can also mean other small parrots with long tail feathers. You might see one in a pet shop or hear one calling from a cage near an open window.

The word "parakeet" does not name just one bird. It is a general word for several kinds of small parrots that usually have slim bodies and long, pointed tail feathers. In everyday use, many people are thinking of the budgerigar, also called the budgie, which comes from Australia and is one of the most common pet birds in the world.

Budgies are known for their bright colors, such as green, blue, yellow, and white. They are social birds, and some can learn tricks or copy sounds, including parts of human speech. The word can also be used for other small parrots, such as ring-necked parakeets and some grass parakeets.

People often think of a parakeet as a lively little pet that fills a room with movement and sound. In books or everyday conversation, the word may suggest a bright, friendly bird in a home, a classroom, or an aviary. Depending on the context, it can mean the familiar pet budgie or another small long-tailed parrot.