So when I mentioned budgies last week in a post, I didn't realize that Americans don't know and don't use this name for little pet parakeets. In Britain, Canada and Australia, these birds are called budgerigars or budgies for short. I think budgerigar comes from an Australian aborigine word, although no one is entirely sure what it means. "Good to eat" is one theory I've read. Apparently, budgies are native only to Australia but now, of course, they are bred everywhere as pets.
And how can I talk about budgies without posting my favourite Monty Python clip about how to put your budgie down?
Classic Python tastelessness, I know, but funny as hell!
oh my gosh thats so funny!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat drumming circle sounds wonderful, its been to long for me, I finally realized why your posts aren' coming up, I disappeared off your followers list, its crazy, I have been a follower for years, I wonder what happened, I suspect alien intervention,
I had three little budgies. We had one who just loved Spanish music and used to bob his little head and dance. Cutest little thing. When hubby went to work, he always left the radio on for him.
ReplyDeleteMary
This post brought back memories for me, when I was a little girl my Dad used to breed budgies. They wer beautiful and I loved them, so much so that when I married and left home I had to have one, a blue/grey called Mickey - my we're going back a few years now folks - but boy could that little bird talk ! he 'got' everything straight away, he was so entertaining and I was broken hearted when he died.
ReplyDeleteJudging by the title of the video clip, I'm glad my computer won't play videos !
thanks for posting
I used to have budgies and read a lot about them, so I know that term, but I believe you are right, most people refer to them as parakeets here.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great Python clip. I will stick with cats instead of budgies!
ReplyDeletewe call them papagay in my language :)
ReplyDeleteI inherited two. They love only each other. When I come into their room, they run to the far side of their cage and flutter. Lucy, my Cairn Terror..oops! Terrier, would love to know them better.(gulp) hahaha
ReplyDeleteMonty Python......classic
ReplyDeleteLOLOLOL!
ReplyDeleteJust look at those two!! Gotta love tastelessness every now and then! Thanks Debra!~
I have Budgies growing up - we always had a pair. And my Sister & her Hubby raised them for awhile. They had several that were very well trained.
ReplyDeleteI always heard the term "budgie" in reference to parakeets. Maybe it's a generational thing.... you know how those younger folks are..... LOL
i'm american and i know what a budgie is! but maybe i picked that up in canada? i think i've called them budgies since i was little though!
ReplyDeleteit's interesting that there really is a proper name for them......we always just called them messy little buggers. Oma Linda
ReplyDeleteI remember, when I was a very little girl, visiting my Great Uncle John and Great Aunt Wanda on their farm. Among the many animals they had (a goat who loved cigarettes) were the budgies. They raised them. I was fascinated!
ReplyDeleteWho knew that budgies weren't budgies everywhere? And Monty Python... tasteless but hysterical!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend!
I learned the term 'budgie' when I had some years ago. Is that a photo of some or is it a painting? It's wonderful either way.
ReplyDelete"Good to eat"? Yuck! Now I know what a budgie is, thanks!
ReplyDeleteI offered to look after my friend's budgie years and years ago when she was pregnant with her 3rd child and overwhelmed with pets. It would spin somersaults on it's swing and then after a month or so it died. That was my only try at birds. I think Buttons the cat stared at it until it went mad, and committed suicide by motion sickness.
ReplyDeleteI think we had a canary when we were kids or maybe it was a budgie. It was yellow. We did not have it long. I always thought they were fragile birds.
ReplyDelete"They breed in the sewers..." BAHAHAHAHAHA... I LOVE Monty Python!
ReplyDeleteYes, funny as hell.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard them called budgies until your post.
I did have a few parakeets as a kid but now just two cats. That enough pets for me, for now.
I use to have a bundle of budgies .
ReplyDeleteChatty little buggers.
never heard of that name
ReplyDeleteI owned budgies and loved them! Can't have them now but the Ungrateful Bastard asks me at least once a week if he can have one. He is horrible pet owner.
ReplyDeleteI had a budgie when I was a kid that we found one day on the back fence. He must have lived in an office before he came to us because he'd say things that sounded like office speak.
ReplyDeleteI've just nipped across for the first time from Laurie and what a giggle you've given me.
ReplyDeleteHaving just arrived back in the UK from Austalia I can only think of skinny little swimming trunks when I hear the word budgie now...they call 'trunks' Budie Smugglers which doesn't leave much to the imagination of why!
Maybe that's too much information on my first visit to you...sorry!
I enjoyed the Monty Python clip. I haven't seen it for years.
Have a great weekend :D
Classic piece of Monty Python. I'm not sure I've ever seen a budgie in real life.
ReplyDeleteBut I too have heard of budgie smugglers. :D
Never owned one, but we did have a cockatiel when I was young. Wonder if you put them down the same way... LOL
ReplyDeleteHi Debra! Wonderful Monty Python clip! I'm so sick of the politically correct pandemic that just about killed off irreverent fun! I adore budgies! I had to get used to using parakeet here in America though. I'd mention budgies, and no one would have a clue what I meant. I would love to have a budgie for a pet, but I love traveling more! Have a good one!
ReplyDeleteI had parakeets as a child in the 50's..They were "budgies"..Great clip..
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Canada and didn't even realize Americans didn't know what a budgie was. They don't exactly come up in every day conversation. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, I had never heard of "budgies" until I married my British husband. He wrote a great song about a budgie, if I can get him drunk enough, he will sing it for you!
ReplyDeleteOh! And our local PBS station advertised "Monty Python" with these words, "If your girlfriend laughs at this, MARRY HER!"
HA!
Got to love Monty Python ;o) LOL!
ReplyDeleteI thought "Budgie' was a member of Siouxie and the Banshees.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog: found you on Yellow Dog Granny's
ReplyDeletethe Ol'Buzzard
We call them budgies too.
ReplyDeletewww.thoughtsofpaps.com
Hi, I linked over from Riot Kitty's. We had a budgie when I was a kid. Never shut up. I knew they are budgies, but most people here call them parakeets. Native to Australia? Never knew!
ReplyDeleteI was reading your tattoo chronicles. Didja ever get one??
Hi Abby -- No, I never did get inked. But who knows? Maybe someday!
ReplyDeleteI had a budgie a few years ago, his name was Piper as he sang the most beautiful songs. Sadly, he bit too often too hard so he was re-homed. Remind me to tell you of the time I dressed as a Monty Python lumberjack....Grade 12 talent show.
ReplyDeleteOh My Debra!! EVERYONE in this house LOVES Monty Python, tasteless YES Hysterical MORE SO! We grew up with budgies (good Aussie pet) ours usually chatted, I think the boys are more apt to parrot speech patterns, good eating maybe LOL, but I don't eat birds (or eggs) but their wasn't too much food in the Aussie desert so don't blame the indigenous people for accessing the organic free range flocks when required :)
ReplyDeleteI had a little budgie as a child Pepe Pepe Pepe !! So sweet and smart!!
ReplyDeleteHi Debra,
ReplyDeleteAnd Americans don't know how to spell in proper English.
Anyway, it only makes sense to share your budgies posting on um Twitter.
As for Monty Python and that surreal sketch, what say we make Monty Python seem like serious drama. Or show some reruns of Second City Television.
I appreciated your thoughtful comment on my blog, thank you, Debra.
Gary
I didn't know that the name "budgie" wasn't used in the US - fascinating.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother always had one. When it would pass, she would replace it right away. Every one of them was called "Chico." As a kid, I thought that birds lived forever because Grandma's Chico was there for years and years...
We had parakeets and canaries the entire time I was growing up. I just loved them. We did call them budgies here and we're in Michigan, so... I guess that we must be close enough to the Canadian to use the name.? ;-)
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