It was disputed over the years as to whether or not the Bourke's Parrot (formerly Neophema Bourkii) is a true Neophema hence the reclassification. It is the only member of this group that does not among other differences carry the basic green colour common to all members of the neophema family, also they will not hybridize as will the others. It does however carry the distinctive feather pattern of the neophema.
At first glance the bourke appears to be somewhat drab. On closer inspection the beautiful colours of these birds becomes evident with many shades ofpinks, blues, creams and browns.
I would highly recommend these birds for the beginner to aviculture, having an extremely quiet nature they can be housed in the company of other birds such as finches, other members of the neophema and Polytelis families, doves and quail. Being relatively easy to keep and breed they are readily available and inexpensive. The only thing that can be a disrupting factor to the tranquility of an aviary housing a mixed collection is that these birds are most active at dawn and dusk, they can at times be heard flying and calling late into the evening however once the other birds become accustomed to this activity it will become less of a problem.
The housing, feeding and care of these birds is the same as for other members of the family.
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Mutations
Rosa Bourke: These would be one of the prettiest of the neophema mutations. The colour can vary from a deep & rich salmon pink with a clear pink crown and almost white cheeks to a dirty washed out pink with a dark brown crown and face. In the clear crowned bird the rump is pink and the primary and secondary flight feathers remaining as normal while in the dark crowned bird the rump can vary from shades of blue to green with the secondary flight feathers showing more cream and even touches of blue and green.
Sexing of the dark crowned bird is relatively simple as the hen tends to show less intensity in the pink and more dark colouring on the head and face. I have been successful in breeding a clear headed rosa ( pink headed ) that requires surgical sexing as there is no noticeable difference between the sexes. The more experienced breeder should be able to determine the sex of the mature bird by behaviour in the aviary. The cock does not show the blue brow.
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Cinnamon Bourke: Referred to as the Isobella in some parts of the world. A very pretty bird having red eyes and displaying cinnamon coloured feathers edged with cream on the back and wings while the head and neck is what can be described as mushroom in colour becoming a deep pink on the belly then to a pale blue from the vent to the under side of the tail. They have very noticeable blue on the leading edge of the wings. In all a very nice little bird that I am proud to have in my collection.
Sexing of these is simple as the cock bird has a blue brow while the hen has a white brow.
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Cream Bourke: Similar to the cinnamon in appearance having the same red eyes. The back and wings tend to be more cream to yellow with the head being more pink, face almost white and the pink on the belly extending up onto the chest. This bird tends to be a little washed out in its colouring but still a very pretty bird.
Sexing is the same as for the Cinnamon posing no problem.
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Pink Bourke: This bird would be the most noticeable of the Bourke mutations in any collection. It also has red eyes. As in the Rosa there can be quite a variation in the colour from a deep salmon pink with dark flight feathers and a pink back to the more sought after soft pink with cream to yellow on the wings (normally refered to as the yellow-winged pink). All tend to have a white face.
must be taken in selecting breeding pairs to produce these birds as it can be difficult to produce strong offspring.
If you are able to master the breeding of a strong pink bourke I would appreciate the information as I am still having trouble in this regard myself.
Refer to section on genetics for breeding combinations.
Rosa Bourke: These would be one of the prettiest of the neophema mutations. The colour can vary from a deep & rich salmon pink with a clear pink crown and almost white cheeks to a dirty washed out pink with a dark brown crown and face. In the clear crowned bird the rump is pink and the primary and secondary flight feathers remaining as normal while in the dark crowned bird the rump can vary from shades of blue to green with the secondary flight feathers showing more cream and even touches of blue and green.
Cinnamon Bourke: Referred to as the Isobella in some parts of the world. A very pretty bird having red eyes and displaying cinnamon coloured feathers edged with cream on the back and wings while the head and neck is what can be described as mushroom in colour becoming a deep pink on the belly then to a pale blue from the vent to the under side of the tail. They have very noticeable blue on the leading edge of the wings. In all a very nice little bird that I am proud to have in my collection.
Pink Bourke: This bird would be the most noticeable of the Bourke mutations in any collection. It also has red eyes. As in the Rosa there can be quite a variation in the colour from a deep salmon pink with dark flight feathers and a pink back to the more sought after soft pink with cream to yellow on the wings (normally refered to as the yellow-winged pink). All tend to have a white face.
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