Bourkes

CenTex Grasskeets

Bourkes

(Neophema bourkii)

Names:

Bourke’s Parakeet, Bourke Parakeet or Bourke Parrot

Origin:

Southern Australia

Description:

Normal form of the species you will find head and back are a scaled grey with abdomen and chest being a shade of pink, with blue etching on the tail and wings. The males will have a blue crown on the forehead while the hens and young (juveniles) will have a full grey head.

Size:

Average size will be 7.5” to 8.0”

Sexing:

Sexing of the Bourkes parakeet is extremely difficult, best suggestions is left up to an experienced breeder or DNA sexing at a facility of your choice.

General Care:

A hardy breed just as the scarlet chested grasskeets, with the dislike of prolonged damp conditions.

Diet:

We use the following mixture: seeds—a 50/50 mix of parakeet and cockatiel seeds; greens– broccoli, spinach, kale (any of your dark green, leafy veggies), carrots; treats-fruits such as apples, please note: do not leave fresh vegetables and fruits in your bird’s dish for more than thirty-minutes due to risk of the food spoiling.

Housing:

A typical cage approximately 16” x 16” x24” will house a single bird comfortably. Should you wish to keep a pair or more, remember, the larger the cage the better. (See breeding section) These are peaceful birds and can be kept in a mixed aviary with other peaceful birds.

Breeding:

We use a 10” x 12” nest box, these birds are very prolific and may breed through out the year given the right conditions. The hen will make small chirping noises when ready to breed. The average clutch is four to six eggs. And after the third egg is laid the hen will incubate for 18 to 20 days. The male keeps close watch over the hen, who is a tight sitter and very reluctant to move from the eggs. The babies normally fledge at four weeks of age. At approximately eight weeks of age, the young can be removed from the parents.

Mutations:

There are many mutations of the bourke. We currently raise normal, rosey, rainbow, red opaline (pink), cream and yellow pastel. See photos below.