Bourke’s Parakeet

by Angela Vuckovic

Published: June 29th, 2018

About Bourke’s Parakeet

Size

7 to 9 inches

Lifespan

30+ years

Bird Species

Parakeet

Colors

Rosy pink, brown & blue details

Sounds

Quiet, Natural calls, Whistles, Chirps

Interaction

Social, Affectionate, Calm, Fun, Cuddly

Comparable Breeds

Budgerigar Parakeet, Cockatiel

Bourke’s Parakeet General Info

These beautiful little birds are a rare breed of parakeets that are prized for their lovely looks and cuddly personality. The Bourke’s Parakeet gentle, cute looks reflect their equally temperate behavior which is perfect if you want a minimum hassle, affectionate pet bird. They are an excellent choice for beginner owners and share a lot of similarities with Budgerigars and other closely related parakeets. All in all, the Bourke’s parrot is a wonderful pet and will enrich your home with its looks and lovely personality!

Bourke’s Parakeet is rarely seen but still a very popular and loved pet. They are a great choice for single owners and beginners.

Native Region/Natural Habitat

Sir Thomas Mitchell first discovered these parrots in New South Wales in 1830’s and named them after General Richard Bourke, the governor of that province. Their native habitat is found in several of Australia’s remote regions. These birds are nomadic and often change their nesting grounds. They can be seen in areas of southern Queensland, New South Wales, and Central Australia. They prefer dry and arid regions and grasslands with a sparse growth of eucalyptus, acacia, cypress and mulga trees. Although not directly a threatened species, their main dangers are the natural predators like feral cats and red foxes.

Overall Description

These small birds are full of interesting features energy that reflects their small stature. The adults reach an average length of just 7 to 9 inches (19 to 23 centimeters), with imposing tail feathers of up to 4 inches (9 centimeters) in size. Due to their small size, they have a lot of energy and really like to fly about. Provide a lot of free flying time, securing your doors and windows beforehand. Bourke’s Parakeet has a lot of similarities with other small Australian parakeets, like the distinct small beaks and zygodactylous feet. Females are slightly smaller than the males.

Speech and Sounds

Bourkies, as they are also called, are really not that noisy. This will be appreciated by owners who live in apartments or those who like quieter parrots more than the talkative breeds. They do have their unique natural calls that are quite similar to the Budgies’. These are gentle chirps and tweets that have a pleasing sound and won’t be a bother at all. They are often heard when flying – the favorite activity of Bourkies.

Colors

So many different, unique colors and patterns on such a tiny bird result in a beautiful look filled with details. In their natural coloration, they have a light brown back and head, with even lighter brown on the chest which gradually turns to rosy pink on the belly and legs. The rump and lower back are light blue with dark edges, while the wings are dark brown with yellow tips on the feathers and blue-tinged flight feathers. Males have a light blue band just above the beak – a feature that distinguishes them from the females. This variety of details and colors is a dazzling and pretty sight. In captivity, several new color mutations appeared. These are yellow, light rosy pink, and others.

Bourke’s Parakeet boasts many interesting details in their appearance, but they’re best known for their rosy pink plumage.

Care and Feeding

These are the so-called grass parakeets, meaning they naturally forage in tall grasses, eating a variety of seeds. If you have a Bourke’s Parakeet as a pet, you should feed them a commercial seed mix that is designed for small birds or parakeets especially. This should be supplemented with small nuts, fresh fruits, and vegetables. A cuttlebone is a recommended addition as well, for some vital calcium intake.

Health and Common Conditions

While their health is commendable, and they are quite hardy for their size, there are few major threats to look after. One of the potential issues is their size and fragility, which means that they can be easily and accidentally hurt. The other is their love of flying – they won’t hesitate to escape if you forget to close a window or the door. Always keep an eye out.

Their love of flying can lead them to escape if you’re not careful. Make sure they get a lot of space to fly freely if you want to keep them happy!

Personality & Behavior

There’s a lot to love about these cuddly little parakeets. They are temperate and docile, friendly birds who love to snuggle, play and perch on your shoulder. Bourke’s Parakeet is a perfect choice for people who prefer quieter, calmer surroundings and peaceful birds. With a bit of familiarizing, they will love to be handled and scratched, as they develop a bond with their owner. With a lifespan of 30 years and up, you’ll be developing a valuable friendship with this loveable, cute bird.

Photo credit: Jan Tick/Wikimedia Commons; Cora Unk Photo/Shutterstock

Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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Socializing with other pet parents over a cold one, just got easier!

What Are the Benefits of Dog Massage?

Everyone likes a nice, relaxing massage – no doubt about it. It helps us unwind, soothes sore muscles, and can promote the release of “happy hormones” such as endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. So why shouldn’t our four-legged friends enjoy the same perks as we do? That’s right, dogs can enjoy getting a massage as well, and can also provide a range of benefits for our four-legged besties, the same as it does for us.What Are the Benefits of Dog Massage?Canine massage can offer several benefits to dogs, both physically and emotionally. Just like us, our dogs can be tired, sore, grumpy, or sad. And a good massage can really help them shake it off and feel more at ease and relaxed. But people often wonder if there are any additional benefits for dogs who enjoy a massage – apart from it feeling nice, that is. And the answer is yes! Here are just some of the advantages they get from a massage:Stress and Tension Relief:A nice soothing massage can help relax tense muscles and reduce stress in dogs. This is especially beneficial for dogs that may be anxious or nervous.Better Circulation:Massage can enhance blood circulation, promoting better oxygen and nutrient delivery to cells and tissues. Improved circulation can aid in the healing process and contribute to overall well-being.Pain Relief:Massaging sore or tight muscles can help alleviate pain and discomfort. This is particularly relevant for dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, or other musculoskeletal issues.Better Flexibility and Range of Motion:Regular massage may enhance a dog's flexibility and improve their range of motion. If you have a senior dog or a dog recovering from injuries, a massage can be of great help with improving their overall mobility.Better Joint Health:Massage can contribute to the health of joints by promoting synovial fluid production, which lubricates and nourishes the joints. Senior dogs can benefit from regular massages either to treat existing joint issues or to prevent them in the first place.  Pet-Owner Bonding:Massage provides an opportunity for bonding between the dog and their owner and can improve and strengthen your relationship. It can also help with socialization, especially for dogs that may be timid or have trust issues as it will help them relax when petted.A Stronger Immune System:Some experts suggest that massage may stimulate the lymphatic system, potentially boosting the immune system's function in dogs. While there aren’t any extensive studies done that could confirm this, it would be great if a “side effect” of canine massage is better overall health!Spotting Health Issues:Through massage, you may identify lumps, bumps, or other abnormalities that may require veterinary attention. Regular massage can help in the early detection of potential health issues on time to provide the right treatment.Postoperative Recovery:Dogs recovering from surgery may benefit from gentle massage to reduce swelling, alleviate pain, and aid in the healing process. Just don’t apply too much pressure or any pressure on the incision site – and be sure to get your vet’s approval (and possible instructions) before doing anything on your own,It's important to note that while a dog massage can be beneficial, it should not be used as a substitute for veterinary care or, in some cases, without the go-ahead from your pet’s vet. Before starting any massage regimen, it's advisable to consult with a veterinarian or a professional canine massage therapist, especially if your dog has pre-existing health conditions. Additionally, learning proper massage techniques is crucial to ensure that you are providing a safe and effective experience for your dog.

Humans Are Getting Their Pets Sick – Here's What You Need To Know

Zoonosis are diseases that can be transmitted from other vertebrate animals to humans, such as rabies or Lyme disease, and has been around ever since we started domesticating animals. However, recent studies reveal that a new and lesser-known form of zoonose is becoming increasingly common: the reverse zoonose. This is the latest phenomenon, where disease can be transmitted from humans to their pets. Dr. Benjamin Anderson from the University of Florida was amongst the first to warn about the increase of reverse zoonoses. He said that more attention should be paid to disease transmission “in the opposite direction”, and that both pets and their owners can be threatened by it, especially when sharing close quarters with one another.“We’re starting to see a lot of examples of reverse zoonosis. Pets are more susceptible than, maybe, we previously thought,” he said. “Typically, the viruses that I will have as a human are not going to fit into the receptors that a dog or cat has.”This means that reverse zoonoses typically appear when a pathogen in humans mutates and then adapts to a new animal host. In the past, however, it was much rarer for this to happen, because humans and animals have a totally different biology.But now, the viruses like  coronavirus or influenza have a much higher chance of cross-species transmission. This is mainly due to their RNA-based genetic material, which is more likely to mutate or have replication errors. According to Dr. Anderson, there are several diseases that have been documented to transmit from humans to their pets. These include COVID-19, tuberculosis, swine flu, dengue, human-norovirus, and other viral, fungal, parasitic, and bacterial infections.To make matters worse, the highest chances for this to happen is with pets such as dogs, cats, horses, and ferrets, as they have the most genetic similarity to humans, being mammals. “We have to first ask how the pathogen gets into those animals in the first place,” said Dr. Anderson for  Phys.org. “The pathogen doesn’t develop out of thin air in animals before suddenly spilling over into humans. While pathogens certainly can move from animals to other animals and can be picked up from the environment, exposure to humans also plays an important role. It’s this constant back and forth exchange that happens over time, increasing the probability of a mutation taking place that allows the pathogen to infect a new host.”Dr. Anderson also noted the difficulty in tracking reverse zoonoses, as it is a big challenge to link the transmission of diseases between humans and animals. Because of this, Dr. Anderson advises pet owners to be cautious around pets, particularly if they are sick with communicable diseases, like COVID-19 or the flu. Maintain good hygiene around your pets, and avoid direct contact.

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