Margaret Tierney, age 11, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for her question:

WHY ARE BUDGIES SO POPULAR?

Budgies, or more properly called Budgerigars, are perhaps the most widely owned of the parrots. From Australia, they are about seven inches long and have graceful, tapering tails. They are usually green with bright yellow on the head and bright blue tails. They have yellow scalloping and barring on the upper parts, royal blue patches on the cheek and three black spots on each side of the throat.

Budgies are so popular because they are friendly. They also put on interesting shows on miniature trapeze perches and enjoy fencing in front of mirrors installed in their cages.