Bird Guide

BOURKE'S

Bourke Parakeet (Neopsephotus bourkii formerly known as Neophema bourkii) are also referred to as grass parakeets. They live in the arid to semi-arid regions of Australia. They are seen in groups of 10-30 individuals. Listed on CITES II.

They are sometimes called pink-bellied parakeets, blue-vented parakeets, sundown parrots, or Bourke's grass parakeets. When they were once part of the Neophemas they were the only member of Neophema that did not have green in their coloring. This among other reasons is why they have been reclassified.

They are named after the governor of Australia from 1831-1837, Sir Richard Bourke. In the 1940's they were facing extinction, but today they are fairly common in the wild. This is probably because are protected in the wild today. This is why conservation programs work.

Bourke's are not good talkers but they enjoy whistling. Some people have reported that Bourke's can imitate noises such as microwave ovens and doors squeaking.

Bourke's parakeets are considered to be one of the gentlest of all the Psittacines. They very rarely bite and may only do so in extreme situations. They do not tolerate a lot of handling very well. This is mainly due to the fact that they are considered to be a high stress bird and can be very flighty.

They are a small bird, around the size of a budgie, about 7 1/2- 8 1/2 inches in length, with 4-4 1/2 inches of this length as their tail. They weigh around 40-50 grams.

The size of their head is small for their bodies. With large eyes, they are one of the very few Psittacines who are most active at dusk and again at dawn. They tend to be more nocturnal than any other Psittacines commonly kept as a pet.

They are a very sweet and gentle bird. Their voices are probably the softest and sweetest of all the other Psittacines. Their chatter is easily tolerated. Those who are fortunate to have them as pets say this is just one of their endearing qualities.

During the late 30's the Bourke was regarded as extinct.