While photographing Red-headed woodpeckers yesterday morning at Lake Betz in Morrisville NC, I spotted something unusual up in one of the trees.
It’s bright yellow and green plumage made for an unmistakable ID, a Budgerigar (Budgie/Parakeet)!
![](https://birdwatchingnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Lake-Betz-birding-Birdwatching-NC-August-2020-154Birding-tour-north-caolina-1015x1024.jpg)
As you might expect, Budgerigars aren’t native to North Carolina. My best guess is that this is an escaped pet from somewhere within the Cary or Morrisville area.
![](https://birdwatchingnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Lake-Betz-birding-Birdwatching-NC-August-2020-27Birding-tour-north-caolina-1024x835.jpg)
He appeared healthy and seemed quite content to hang out with the Purple Martins and Woodpeckers.
At least until one of the juvenile Red-headed Woodpeckers pulled his long tail.
Check out the photo below to see that moment, lol!
![](https://birdwatchingnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Lake-Betz-birding-Birdwatching-NC-August-2020-223Birding-tour-north-caolina-999x1024.jpg)
Budgies are native to Australia. Since its introduction into captivity, these gorgeous little birds have been bred into a variety of color forms, including pure white, blue, yellow, mauve, olive and grey. In the wild, Budgerigars are small green and yellow parrots, with black barring above, and a small patch of blue on the cheek.
We’ve got hurricane Isaias/ tropical storm moving into the area tonight so I hope that this little guy makes it through ok.
Perhaps one of the abandoned Woodpecker holes would serve as a safe place for him to weather the storm.
Photos by @sally_siko of @birdwatching_nc on the fabulous full frame SLR, the @canonusa
#5Ds