© MB design - 2025 - www.mb-design.ch
Bourke‘s Parrot
Description
Bourke's Parrots reach a body length of up to 22 cm and weigh about 40-50 grams. Their relatively large eyes are striking. Gender differentiation in these birds is possible even without DNA testing; wild-colored males are brownish-pink and have blue to white wing and tail feathers. Particularly striking are the bluish forehead, also referred to as a blue headband, and the pink belly. The color of the hens is much duller and they lack the blue forehead. The females also usually have a smaller head and beak. However, various mutations now exist, such as opaline, edged, opaline blue, aqua, etc.Habitat
Bourke's Parrots originate from Australia. There, they inhabit the dry shrubland of the Australian interior, where acacia plants grow predominantly. These plants ensure their survival in the absence of grass seeds. Their native diet therefore consists of grasses and plant seeds. They live there in groups of up to 30 birds; during the dry season, they can form larger flocks comprising groups of up to 100 members of their own species.Reproduction
Bourke's Parrots reach sexual maturity at just under one year of age. These cavity-nesting parrots breed from August to December. After an incubation period of around 18 days, the young hatch from an average of 4-8 eggs and are raised in the nest for around 30 days. During this time, the male takes over feeding the female, allowing her to incubate the chicks without difficulty. Sometimes, however, the male also raises the young. Around five weeks later, the young Bourke's Parrots are independent and fly away. A second brood often follows. The young birds initially have a similar plumage color to that of hens and reach their final coloration after about six months. The life expectancy of the birds is around 10 to 12 years.
Breeding and keeping Bourke‘s Parrots
© MB design - 2025 - www.mb-design.ch
Bourke‘s Parrot
Description
Bourke's Parrots reach a body length of up to 22 cm and weigh about 40-50 grams. Their relatively large eyes are striking. Gender differentiation in these birds is possible even without DNA testing; wild-colored males are brownish-pink and have blue to white wing and tail feathers. Particularly striking are the bluish forehead, also referred to as a blue headband, and the pink belly. The color of the hens is much duller and they lack the blue forehead. The females also usually have a smaller head and beak. However, various mutations now exist, such as opaline, edged, opaline blue, aqua, etc.Habitat
Bourke's Parrots originate from Australia. There, they inhabit the dry shrubland of the Australian interior, where acacia plants grow predominantly. These plants ensure their survival in the absence of grass seeds. Their native diet therefore consists of grasses and plant seeds. They live there in groups of up to 30 birds; during the dry season, they can form larger flocks comprising groups of up to 100 members of their own species.Reproduction
Bourke's Parrots reach sexual maturity at just under one year of age. These cavity-nesting parrots breed from August to December. After an incubation period of around 18 days, the young hatch from an average of 4-8 eggs and are raised in the nest for around 30 days. During this time, the male takes over feeding the female, allowing her to incubate the chicks without difficulty. Sometimes, however, the male also raises the young. Around five weeks later, the young Bourke's Parrots are independent and fly away. A second brood often follows. The young birds initially have a similar plumage color to that of hens and reach their final coloration after about six months. The life expectancy of the birds is around 10 to 12 years.
