English Budgie vs American Budgie: All the Differences You Need to Know Before Making a Choice

Look at two side-by-side photos of an English Budgie and an American Budgie. You will not find any apparent difference except for the color.

But in reality, there exist tons of differences between these two birds. Overall, English Budgies are calm birds who won’t annoy you during work hours. On the other hand, American Budgies are usually active birds.

Although they can be louder than English Budgies, it doesn’t annoy me much. In fact, it is quite cute. However, these are just basic pieces of information. If you want to make an informed decision, it is best to navigate through this entire article.

Here, I have noted my experience with both English Budgies and American Budgies. By the time you are done with this article, you will be clear.

English Budgie or American Budgie: The Right Way To Go

In this section, I will share some insights I have gained from having both an English Budgie and an American Budgie as pets. I mentioned different aspects of both birds and have pointed out the nuances that you must notice. So, remember to check each and every one of these out.

How Big Are These Guys?

The most apparent difference between an English and an American Budgie is their size. An English budgie is comparatively taller, longer, and heavier than an American Budgie.

On average, an American Budgie is around 7 to 9 inches tall. Mine weighs around 0.88 to 1.4 ounces. On the other hand, an English Budgie is around 10 to 12 inches high while weighing 0.7 to 2.1 ounces.

The math is elementary here. If you want a bigger, aesthetic bird, you can get a blue English Budgie like I did. If you want a tiny, cute one, go for an American Budgie.

What Are Their Personalities Like?

As already mentioned, English Budgies are calmer birds. They are reserved and have a cool temperament. This means that they are less likely to engage in boisterous activities.

This is a good thing because, as they are content with their own company, they are less likely to get bored and have mental issues.

On the contrary, American Budgies are comparatively more outgoing and active. Parakeets (a funkier name for American Budgies) are more social and curious. My American Budgie enjoys interacting with me and playing with me. They never seem to get tired.

So, if you want to play with your pet bird and engage in different fun activities, the American Budgie is the way to go. However, if you want a calmer bird who won’t bother you with any noise or anything, then opt for an English Budgie.

Do They Bite?

Well, my English Budgie and American Budgie have the bad habit of biting. Initially, they would nibble frequently, but the situation improved quickly.

Both these birds exhibit certain violent behavior when they feel threatened and/or stressed. This is actually a common behavior among other similar species. So, there’s actually nothing to worry about.

However, if you are getting either of these birds, you must know how to handle the biting issue. What I basically did was socialize with them more.

I hand-fed them for a couple of weeks, which did the trick. Most importantly, the biting basically feels like nothing. You don’t have anything to worry about as long as you are careful and consistent with training.

Can They Talk?

In case you don’t know, almost all budgies can talk, and they are fluent speakers. Although it took me a bit of effort, both my English and American Budgies learned to mimic sounds and music quickly. I am impressed by their mimicking ability.

However, if I were to compare, I would say English Budgies are better at mimicking human speech. The reason is their slightly larger size, which gives them a clearer voice. But the nuance here is so subtle that I don’t care much for it.

But if talking ability matters significantly, you can get an English Budgie. You cannot go wrong with either.

Do They Pluck Feathers?

Almost all birds pluck feathers for various reasons, and Budgies are no different.

According to my observation, they pluck feathers mainly due to stress, boredom, or health issues such as skin infections. These are unavoidable circumstances. If you get a bird, you have to deal with it. Fortunately, it’s easy with Budgies.

Whenever I notice Budgies plucking feathers, I offer them mental and physical stimulation. If this doesn’t work, I focus on their diet and try to include more variety and ensure better balance. Overall, I create a stress-free environment for my birds.

Finally, when this doesn’t work, I take my birds to a vet. It’s usually a skin disease in that case. See, the feather-plucking issue is a no-brainer as long as you are careful.

How Are They Around Children?

I have found both of these birds quite friendly around children. By this, I mean that they can interact with family members if approached properly.

However, English Budgies, being calmer birds, may only like it if they are bothered enough. On the other hand, American Budgies can get too excited and can cause a biting incident.

Either way, though they are not criminals, nor are they known to be vulgar, it’s best not to take any risk. Who knows what might trigger them. So, if you have children around the house, closely monitor the birds.

Are They Loud?

Both of these Budgies have the same level of loudness. But what makes them different is their habit. As already mentioned, English Budgies are calmer birds.

They are less likely to make noise as they don’t like attention. But when they do, for example, when they are hungry or sick, their voice becomes annoying.

As for American Budgies, they are more attention seekers. Mine start to screech the moment I enter the house. They mostly want attention with their voice. In addition, when I play with them, they screech if they get too excited.

If you are looking for perspective, American Budgies usually make high-pitched, chirpy chatter.

On the other hand, the quieter English Budgies create low-pitched, melodic whistles. Also, when alarmed, both give out piercing screams, and it almost sounds like a smoke alarm.

All in all, if you live in an apartment or in a shared living space, get English Budgies. Otherwise, you will have to deal with regular complaints.

What Do They Eat?

The one thing I am really relieved about with my Budgies is their flexible food habits. Both birds are good eaters and enjoy a diet of seeds, pellets, fresh fruits, and vegetables. In other words, your choice of birds is independent of their diet.

However, it’s important to note that they won’t eat whatever you present. I always correctly wash fruits and veggies and dice them into chewable pieces. This is something you can keep in mind.

Are They Aggressive?

Well, both my Budgies are usually sweethearts. They never cause any trouble for me or for anyone. But at the beginning, they tend to exhibit aggressive behavior toward other birds, primarily when they are housed together in a limited space.

My American Budgie was a bit more aggressive and demonstrated territorial behavior. They disputed over resources like food and perches. The English Budgie was also aggressive, but they were all right if offered the minimal.

However, both got accustomed to their surroundings with time. I moved them to a bigger space, and this did the trick. Both of them, since then, have been really happy and haven’t shown any aggression as they now can enjoy their own personal space.

If you have a small space for birds, a British Budgie is your best choice. Because in such spaces, an American Budgie may not fit well.

Are They Cuddly?

Different Budgies have different preferences. In fact, the same species of Budgies may not like the same thing. My American Budgie loves to snuggle, and it gets pleased when I intimately interact with it. 

On the other hand, the English Budgie is not a big fan of patting or scratching. It prefers to be left alone.

But this is only the case for some birds. Some American Budgies get really triggered by the touch of strangers. At the same time, some English Budgies fancy a bit of intimacy every now and then.

Overall, if you want a bird to pet and cuddle with, get an American Budgie. But it’s always best to check the behavior of the birds beforehand if possible.

Do They Pose Any Health Risk?

Well, I personally didn’t experience any adverse health effects with my Budgies. The birds and I have always been safe from potential diseases.

However, I did some research on the issue of health concerns before getting the birds. According to my findings, many vets recommend caregivers to be aware of potential zoonotic diseases. This particular disease can be transmitted between birds and humans.

However, as I keep my birds regularly clean and maintain proper hygiene practices, I never had to worry about it.

It actually depends on your attitude toward your birds. If you are careful enough, there’s nothing to worry about.

My Final Few Words 

As you can see, you cannot go wrong with either option unless you have particular requirements. Overall, if you live in a small apartment and only have a little time to spend with your bird, get an English Budgie.

Their calm and tame behavior will not bother you but will keep you pleased. However, if you have a bigger house and you want an active soul flying around, an American Budgie can be your best choice. They will keep your mood-lit all the time.

Apart from these, there are a few notable differences. My experience tells me that both are good options as long as you can ensure proper care and properly approach them.