Bourke's Parakeet
Neopsephotus bourkii
Also called Bourke's parrot, Bourke's grass parakeet, Pink-bellied parakeet, Sundown parrot, Rosy Bourke (rosa mutation)
From Inland Australia, across the west, south-centre and east-centre of the continent, from coastal Western Australia to western Queensland and western New South Wales, in dry scrub country.1
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
World Parrot Trust gives 40-50 g overall.
Looks how to spot one
Feathered; small, slim grass parakeet
A small, gently coloured parakeet. Wild-type birds are soft olive-brown above with a rose-pink belly, blue under the tail and a blue rump. Adult males have a blue band on the forehead, while hens are paler with little or no blue on the head.12
Personality what they are like
A calm, peaceful and quiet little parakeet that suits first-time bird keepers. It rarely talks. It is most lively around dawn and dusk.2
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Most active in the early morning and evening. It flies fast and low in the wild, so it needs space to fly: a walk-in aviary at least 2.1 m long, or an indoor aviary with climbing branches.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Low-maintenance. Give climbing branches and safe seeding grasses to pick at. Offer the dusk and dawn quiet time it naturally prefers for activity.12
Home where they are happiest
A walk-in enclosure at least 2.1 m long, or an indoor aviary, furnished with safe seeding grasses and climbing branches.1
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A grass-seed eater. In the wild it takes grass seeds and shoots, herb seeds and seeds of Acacia and similar plants, feeding on the ground and in bushes. In captivity a small-seed mix with seeding grasses and greens fits its natural diet.12
Company who they like around
A social, nomadic bird that forms flocks; at waterholes in dry times up to 1,000 may gather. Usually kept in pairs or small groups.1
The story where it all began
Explorer Thomas Mitchell saw the bird in New South Wales in 1835 and named it after Sir Richard Bourke, the colony's governor at the time. John Gould described it scientifically in 1841, and it later received a genus of its own. The pink Rosy Bourke is now one of the best-known aviary varieties.2
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It is sometimes called the 'sundown parrot' because it is most active at dusk and dawn.1
- 2
Up to 1,000 birds may gather at a single waterhole in dry periods.1
- 3
Its numbers seem to be rising, likely helped by water points built for livestock.1
- 4
The Rosy (rosa) mutation, with its pink plumage, is especially common in aviaries.2
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern; fairly common and apparently increasing.1
- CITES
- Appendix II.1
- Taxonomy
- Described by John Gould in 1841. Moved into its own genus, Neopsephotus, in the 1990s.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Bourke's Parakeet. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Fresh food and waterevery day
- Cage linerevery 2 days
- Full cleanevery week
- Bath offerA shallow dish or gentle mistevery 3 days
- Nails checkevery month
- Toy rotationevery 2 weeks
- Out-of-cage timeAbout an hour a day, if tameevery day
- Vet check-upevery year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Bourke's Parakeet?
Provide fresh food and water daily. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests refreshing food and water every day. Also offer seeding grasses and greens as part of its natural diet.21 Furry Diary plan
What does a Bourke's Parakeet eat, and what should it never eat?
A Bourke's Parakeet enjoys a small-seed mix, seeding grasses, and greens. For foods to avoid, it's best to ask your vet, as specific toxic foods are not listed here.21
How much space does a Bourke's Parakeet need?
It needs a walk-in aviary at least 2.1 meters long, or an indoor aviary with climbing branches, to fly safely. This matches its natural fast, low flight.21
What temperature, light or water does a Bourke's Parakeet need?
It enjoys quiet time at dawn and dusk. Offer a shallow dish or gentle mist for bathing every few days. For precise temperature and lighting, ask an avian vet.21 Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Bourke's Parakeet's home?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests changing the cage liner every two days and doing a full clean once a week. This keeps its home fresh and healthy. Furry Diary plan
Can a Bourke's Parakeet live with others?
Yes, it is a social bird that thrives in pairs or small groups. In the wild it forms flocks, so companionship is important.21
How long does a Bourke's Parakeet live?
With good care, a Bourke's Parakeet can live 10 to 15 years. Provide a loving home for this long-term companion.21
Can I handle a Bourke's Parakeet?
Its calm nature makes it suitable for gentle handling if it is tame. Furry Diary suggests about an hour of out-of-cage time daily if it is comfortable with you. Always go slowly and let it trust you.21 Furry Diary plan
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Bourke's Parrot - World Parrot Trust Parrot Encyclopedia parrots.orgused for size, weight, lifespan, range, status, diet, social behaviour, aviary size, fun facts
- Bourke's parrot - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for history, taxonomy, sexed weights, lifespan, temperament, mutations
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.