Here is a Bourke?s Parakeet fact sheet for you.

The Bourke?s Parakeet (Neopsephotus bourkii) is a gentle, quiet, and intelligent Australian parrot species known for its calm temperament and suitability as a pet, especially when hand?raised. Typically 18?20 cm long and around 56 g in weight, they show clear sexual dimorphism, with males displaying blue?brown crowns and females white. Young birds have fully grey heads and fledge at about four weeks. In the wild, Bourke?s are common and inhabit dry plains, forests, and occasional urban areas.

As pets, they thrive in roomy cages with space for long horizontal flights, enjoy bathing, prefer chewable toys, and live 10?15 years in captivity (up to 25). Their diet should include pellets, seeds, fresh produce, and millet as a treat. Social and happiest in pairs, Bourke?s make excellent companions for keepers seeking a quiet, low?maintenance parakeet.

Adult length:

18-20cm from beak to tail feathers.

Adult weight:

56g

Neopsephotus Bourkii.

Originally classified as part of the Neophema genus but was assigned its own genus in the 1990?s. Named after Sir Richard Bourke, the governor of New South Wales between 1831 and 1837.

Sexing

Males usually have blue brown crowns whereas females have white crowns.

Young Birds

Have a full grey head. Usually 3 to 6 are born at a time and they fledge when they are 4 weeks old.

Suitability as a pet

Excellent, when raised from a chick. They are fairly quiet compared with other Parrots and also extremely intelligent, although they don?t talk or perform tricks. Bourke?s are gentle and non-aggressive and can live in a variety of conditions.

They are usually noisier at sunrise and sunset.

Bourke?s Parakeets like long horizontal flights so need at least two hours of exercise a day.

Potential lifespan

Up to 25 years, but usually between 10-15 in captivity.

Availability

Fairly common as pets although often not found in pet shops, you will need to find an experienced breeder.

Origin

Mainland Australia. They mostly reside in dry plains, but are also found in cypress and eucalyptus forests. A few flocks have been spotted in urban areas too.

Status in wild

Very common, some reports suggest their populations are growing in the wild.

As aviary birds

Will need a roomy cage with plenty of space to fly and lots of branches and swings. They are happiest when paired with another bird.

They love to bathe in cool water. Toys they can chew on are preferred.

Diet

Work best on a pelleted and seed based diet, supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables. Millet is a great treat.

Find millet here.

For everything you need for your Bourke?s Parakeet please click here.

Photos courtesy of Lafeber.