Flight Of The Budgerigar: An Illustrated History
Australian History Natural History Illustrated Reference Wildlife Conservation Ornithology Animal Reference Pet & Aviculture History
Flight of the Budgerigar: An Illustrated History is the first book to trace the full, colourful story of Australia’s most famous small parrot, from its life in the outback to its domination of the global pet trade. Written by leading ornithologist Dr Penny Olsen and published in 2021, this 224-page reference blends rigorous science with rare archival images, maps and stunning new photographs to show how Melopsittacus undulatus went from desert nomad to the world’s third-most-popular companion bird. Young adult and adult readers alike will discover how budgies shaped everything from 19th-century field collecting to modern genetics, and why their natural greens and yellows still flash across Australian skies despite millions exported overseas.
What makes this softcover edition especially appealing is its gallery-quality illustration program: every spread pairs authoritative text with historical lithographs, indigenous artwork, avicultural ephemera and close-up portraits that reveal the bird’s surprising colour morphs and behaviour. Olsen’s lively biographical approach introduces the explorers, breeders and even spies who championed the budgerigar, turning what could have been a dry ornithological monograph into a page-turning true story of obsession, commerce and conservation. The book’s generous 210 × 260 mm page size showcases the art while remaining light enough to slip into a day-pack for field trips or bird-hut reading.
Collectors and natural-history enthusiasts prize Flight of the Budgerigar because it is the only single-volume work that synthesises museum records, export ledgers and DNA studies into one accessible narrative. As a 2021 Australian publication, it is already out of print in many outlets; securing a very-good, smoke-free copy now means owning the definitive illustrated history before it becomes a scarce reference. Whether you are a birder, a hobby breeder, or simply love beautifully produced animal books, this title delivers both scholarly depth and gift-quality visual appeal.
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