Is it possible my budgies an English mix?

[Ashana]

This is budgie, Pihu. She’s around 50g, despite most budgies being 30-40, but the vet said she’s not overweight, just big. She doesn’t have the signature head floof I’ve seen on English budgies, and she doesn’t have any of the issues I’ve seen with them like limited flight, she’s actually a very fast flyer. We don’t know her history since we got her from an SPCA shelter, besides the fact she 5 years old. She’s very sweet and settled in very quickly, and was actually eating from my hand on the first day. Is there any way to know for sure? And would it affect her health in the long term? I’ve heard English budgies have a shorter lifespan. Our other budgie, Aaira, in the 4th pic is also on the bigger side, at around 40g

 

[Finchbreed]

They are both Female Yellowface Opalines - the newer one is also Pied.
I see nothing to indicate English blood.

 

[Karearea]

While there are some budgies that are naturally larger than others, in my opinion her blotchy cheek markings combined with her size make me think she has some English in her ancestry.
English budgies do have shorter lifespans as a result of their size putting strain on their heart, but hybrids tend to be healthier and experience fewer issues.

 

[AussieBird]

Cause you don't know her history, yes, she could very much have English blood. No, there's no way to know, she shows no signs besides size really.
Even the "common" pet budgies are actually quite hefty compared to a wild budgie, I'd say it's very possibly to have a large non English if they come from a line of naturally large birds.

Health wise there's no way of knowing unfortunately. I lost one of my EB's very suddenly at 3 or 4 yrs old, while my other EB turned 5 this year and seems very healthy still. Meanwhile I lost two of my non English budgies at 5 yrs old, heart failure and suspected tumor. Unfortunately, especially when it comes to budgies, any bird can end up with bad genetics, whether they're English or not.

 

[Finchbreed]

What Aussiebird says about genetics is so so true. Ditto the comment about "wild budges" versus "pet budgies" versus "English Show Budgies" - each is bigger than the one before.
It is true that the bigger type Budgies are a little more prone to shorter lives than the smaller type. (Sometimes this is the case with people too) But genetics is a very big factor.
English Show Budgies are bred for size and show points - one very important show point is a line of large even spots (many are over spotted till the breeders cut or pull excess) - these birds do not have these. So maybe not show blood was my thinking. Only a family history would tell you for certain but.

 

[Ashana]

Thank you all for the replies! Shes 5 and a half now and healthy and active- she usually flies a few laps around the room every day, and is very energetic and excited during training sessions, so I’m not too worried.
my vet did say that most budgies don’t live over ten which is pretty sad, likely due to genetic issues from pet stores mass breeding them for quantity over quality.

 

[Lady Jane]

Not English

 

[Finchbreed]

Wild budgies most definately do not live over 10yrs normally here in Australia.
Pet budgies can but seldom do. There is always the exception like the 17yr old one who I believe holds the age record.
Like people really - most live to their 80s - but a few go to 100 or more.
So a 20% variation is a happy thing to hope for.
Quite a high proportion of mums show budgies go 7/9yrs. The ex show bird mum gave my kid sister as a pet when he was 5 is 9 now.