The Bourke Parakeet is a small but gorgeous bird that has a lot of personality.
It is also very colorful and makes for a great companion to have around the house. Parakeets in general make excellent pets, but this one is very special in a number of ways.
Appearance
These parakeets are mainly brown with a pink-hued breast and yellowish-brown bill. Their colors are fully developed by the time they reach nine months of age. They can grow up to 9.1 inches long with a weight of about 1.6 ounces.
Bourke Parakeet Lifespan
You can keep a Bourke parakeet for about 10 to 12 years with proper overall care. This means keeping it in an adequately sized cage and feeding it a nutritious diet every single day.
Personality
This bird is known for being very affectionate and gentle overall. It is important that you hand feed these birds to establish a deep connection with them. They are also incredibly intelligent and can be trained fairly easily.
While these birds can be somewhat chatty, they are not loud and can therefore be kept in apartments without much of an issue. If you are looking for a bird that can “speak” or do any tricks, this one is not a good choice.
The relaxed overall nature of these birds makes them well-suited for most people. You won’t have to deal with a lot of noise or crazy behavior like with so many other birds. This parakeet is very calm compared to most of their cousins.
Natural Habitat
The Bourke Parakeet can be found in the wilds of Australia, specifically in the dry plains and woodland areas. These birds also sometimes make their homes in urban areas where there are a lot of people around.
Bourke Parakeet Care Guide
1. Food
In the wild, these parakeets forage for food in the dry plains. They feed on grass, seeds, and any organic plant material they can find. If you want your pet parakeet to live as long as possible, you’ll want to give them a balanced diet. This should include a seed mix that is specifically formulated for parrots.
You should also make a point of giving your bird a good amount of fruits and vegetables to supplement their diet. This will go a long way towards keeping them in good health over the long term. These birds need a balanced and nutritious diet to live a full life. You can also give them the occasional small insects. Mealworms make for a great treat, and they are an excellent source of protein.
2. Environment
The cage that you keep your Bourke Parakeet in should be no smaller than 36 by 24 by 24 inches. It is also important that the bars are not more than 3/8 inches apart. This will keep your bird from getting out.
Make sure that you also put a variety of perches in your bird’s cage, including one that is made of rough wood. These birds need plenty of toys, swings, ladders and other things to keep themselves occupied. You want to make a point of ensuring that your bird remains mentally and physically stimulated. These things will provide them with physical exercise, which will keep them healthy.
Your bird will probably just sit around all day in its cage if you don’t put any toys or other things in it, which is the last thing you want. A sedentary lifestyle can have a hugely negative impact on your bird’s overall health.
3. Common Health Problems
The Bourke Parakeet is prone to developing Psittaci disease, which can be very serious. This disease can be spread to humans, which is why it is of particular concern. They can also contract many different viruses, which lead to issues with their digestive system and feathers.
Aspergillosis is another condition that can afflict these birds, and it is often fatal if left untreated. Parasites can also cause issues with your bird’s health, so you need to keep an eye out for strange behavior form your pet. The sooner you get them the necessary treatment, the more likely they will be to make a full recovery.
Mites can be a serious problem with these parakeets as well. If you notice your bird plucking out its feathers, there is a chance that it has mites.
4. Bourke Parakeet Grooming
It is very important that you keep your parakeet clean to avoid any problems with its health. This means spraying it every other day or providing it with a bowl for bathing. Nail and beak trimming is sometimes necessary if they don’t maintain these things themselves. Make sure that the bowl of water you put in their cage is lukewarm. This will help you keep your pet bird clean, looking good and very healthy as a whole.
Bourke Parakeet Price
Most of these parakeets cost around $150, though you could pay more depending on the color mutation. Some of these birds cost several hundred dollars, so the price can vary quite a bit. You should take the time to look into some of your options with these birds. It also depends on the breeder you buy from. There are a lot of places you can get these birds, but you don’t want to choose just any of them.
Conclusion
- The Bourke Parakeet can grow up to 9 inches with a maximum weight of about 1.6 ounces.
- These birds have a very gentle and relaxed nature that makes them a great choice for just about anyone.
- You won’t have to worry about this bird making a lot of noise, as it typically isn’t very talkative by itself.
- You’ll want to feed this bird a high quality parrot seed mix, as well as fruits and vegetables.
- You can also give this parakeet the occasional mealworm and other treats.
- It is very important that you keep this bird in a decent size cage with plenty of toys and other things to keep it from getting bored.
- Keep this bird and its enclosure clean on a daily basis so as to avoid unnecessary illness.
