What is the difference between a budgie and a parakeet? There is no difference. The budgerigar is a native bird from the arid Australian central desert regions, and in most parts of the world it is referred to, or called, a budgie. The term parakeet or keet is mainly used in America and can refer to many different species of small, long tailed parrots, such as Budgies, Ringnecks, Alexandrines, Plum Heads, Quaker or Princess of Wales parrots.