Most people avoid getting a pet bird because they feel these creatures are demanding and could be noisy.
Some birds can make all the noise that would upset your neighbors, and these birds would also be attention-demanding.
Nevertheless, that shouldn’t kill your dream of being a pet bird owner, as other birds can make life easier and are wonderful for first-timers.
If you are growing interested in the hookbill pet bird species, Bourke’s parakeets are the perfect birds to start with for some good reasons.
Bourke’s parakeets can entertain themselves without bothering you, and they have a naturally call demeanor, making them perfect for an apartment building.
Because they are quiet, you do not have to worry about the noise if you consider getting more than one Bourke parakeet.
If you have finches and cockatiels, you can still get a Bourke’s parakeet as they make good birdie buddies but do not put your Bourke’s parakeets in the same cage with larger aggressive birds to avoid violence.
Bourke’s parakeets are a parrot species sometimes called Bourke’s parrot.
This bird species was named after the governor of Australia’s New South Wales territory between 1831 and 1837, Sir Richard Bourke.
Other common names for this bird are sundown parrot and the blue-vented parrot.
Common Names
The Bourke’s parakeets have many other familiar names, including Bourke, Bourke’s parrot, Pink-billed parrot, blue-vented parrot, and the sundown parrot.
Scientific Name
The taxonomical or scientific name for the sundown parrot is Neopsephotus bourkii.
The Bourke’s parakeets were initially classified as a member of the Neophema genus, but in the 1990’s it was assigned to its genus.
Origin and History
The Bourke’s parakeet is a nomadic bird species native to Australia, the only place in the world where these birds can be found in the wild.
Their habitat covers many parts of Australia, including Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, and central and southern Australia.
The primary habitats for the Bourke’s parakeet are dry plains, but they can be found in eucalyptus woodlands and native cypress. Birds can be seen sometimes in urban areas.
The success of breeding these birds in captivity has made the Bourke’s parakeet a popular pet bird species in homes around the globe.
Interestingly, this bird species is not threatened as its population in the wild appears to be growing.
Size
Bourke’s parakeets are little birds. Mostly small and medium in size, measuring just about 7 to 8 inches in length from the beak to the tail feather.
When fully grown, a healthy, well-cared-for Bourke’s parakeet could weigh about two ounces.
Average Lifespan
Like other Australian parrots, the Bourke’s parakeet can live very long in captivity.
Some Bourke’s parakeets have reportedly lived as long as 25 years as a pet bird.
Temperament
The sundown parrot is famous because it is a gentle, sweet, and rare-nurtured species.
They can bond quickly with their owners, especially when they are babies.
Like other parrots, the Bourke’s parakeet is very intelligent, but they stand out because of their calm and quiet nature, which is rare for a parrot.
They are playful and active just after sunrise and sunset, which is when they get to make some sounds, but not annoying.
Unlike other species of parrots, the Bourke’s parakeet does not perform tricks or talk.
Makings and Colors
While the sundown parrot does not have vivid coloring like other parrot species, it is still beautiful.
To their plumage, the Bourke’s parakeets are dusty brown, with their abdomen and chests covered with pink feathers and their tail having blue feathers.
The back of a sundown parrot’s wings has a darker brownish-grey hue, with each feather having a lighter-colored outline.
Both sexes can easily be differentiated as the adult male usually appears more significant than the female and has a blue forehead that the adult female does not have.
Several court mutations are also possible with the sundown parrot.
One of the most famous color mutations is that of Rosy Bourke’s parakeet, which has a beautiful bright shade of pink.
Caring for a Bourke’s Parakeet
You often have to find a breeder to get a Bourke’s parakeet because they are hardly found in pet stores.
These birds are hardly ever given away by their owners because they are not as complicated and demanding as other birds.
Still, it doesn’t stop you from contacting animal shelters and rescue organizations to find out if anyone is available for adoption.
Bourke’s parakeets are enthusiastic figures, so instead of keeping them in a cage, it is better to keep them in roomy aviaries.
The best size of aviaries should be around 6 feet long, and souls house several tree branches that the bird can climb.
If getting aviaries for your Bourke’s parakeet is practically impossible, go for the largest birdcage you can find.
Make sure that the dimension of the pen is wider than it is tall because parakeets fly horizontally.
A bare minimum in size is a cage about 3 feet long, 1 1/2 feet tall, and 1 1/2 feet wide.
Although parakeets can do just fine on their own, it is best to have and house them in pairs.
If you must cage them separately or have only one bird, ensure you have time to play and interact with them.
Providing a swing in the cage or aviary is a great way to add more fun to the life of your pet.
Bourke’s parakeets are water lovers who make sure they have a pool to bathe in.
Please ensure the bath pool water is cool and clean, and also try to wash them with warm water from a spray bottle at least once weekly.
Bourke’s parakeet is very sociable, likes other parrots, and is less demanding, but you still need to spend about an hour or two of your time interacting with them daily so they do not become bored.
Feeding
Bourke’s parakeets are in the category of grass parakeets. In the wild, they mostly hunt for food in the fields and eat grass, seeds, berries, insects, plant matter, and fruits.
To feed your Bourke’s parakeet well, get a fruit or seed mix specially formulated for parakeets or birds of similar size.
You can include fresh fruits and vegetables daily to help supplement the diet.
Exercise
The Bourke’s parakeets are less active than other parakeets but also need time outside the cage.
At least two or three hours a day is enough time for your bird to exercise.
Bourke’s parakeets are toy lovers but do not mind paying for egg cartons and other household items that are easy to gnaw on.
Common Health Issues
Like other parrot species, the Bourke’s parakeet is vulnerable to Psittaci diseases that are transferable to both man and other birds.
This disease causes obvious respiratory problems in birds but is easily treated with antibiotics.
Several viruses can infect parakeets and cause them to experience weight loss, depression, and scratching.