Taxonomy

Psittaciformes is the order that encompasses parrots, including parakeets, and other closely related bird species. Within the Psittaciformes order, parakeets belong to the Psittacidae family, which includes various species of parrots. The Psittacidae family is one of the largest families of birds, comprising over 90 genera and around 400 species.

The genus of the common parakeet, or budgerigar, is Melopsittacus. The genus name Melopsittacus is derived from the Greek words "melos," meaning song, and "psittakos," meaning parrot, reflecting the vocal abilities of these birds.

The species name "undulatus" refers to the undulating or wavy markings that are characteristic of the wild-type budgerigar's plumage. These markings are seen on the bird's back and wings and provide camouflage in its natural habitat.

Within the genus Melopsittacus, there is currently only one recognized species: Melopsittacus undulatus, the budgerigar. These color mutations give rise to the wide range of colors seen in pet budgerigars, including blue, yellow, white, and various combinations thereof.

The taxonomy of the budgerigar is continually evolving as new research sheds light on the genetic relationships between different parrot species and their evolutionary history. Advances in molecular genetics and DNA analysis techniques have provided valuable insights into the evolutionary relationships within the Psittaciformes order and have helped refine our understanding of the taxonomy of parakeets and other parrot species.

Overall, the taxonomy of the parakeet reflects its position within the broader classification of birds and provides a framework for understanding its evolutionary history and genetic relationships with other species within the Psittaciformes order.