Rosa Bourke's Parakeet

This species of grass parakeet from southwest/central Australia is known by several names: Bourke Parakeet, Bourke's Parrot, Bourke Grass Keet and (see below) Rosa Bourkes and Rosey Bourkes Parakeet. It's taxonomic (Latin/Greek/scientific) name has been changed from the previous Neophema bourkii to Neopsephotus (new pebbled) bourkii, since it has been determined to be a species on its own and cannot produce hybrids with other Neophema species.

The male, above left, has a blue brow and dark bill; the female a grey/white brow and light bill. Both have grey-brown plumage with a pinky breast and blue rump.



Critically endangered in the wild, the Bourke Parakeet is common in captivity, both in its natural plumage and, more often, in a variety of colour mutations.		The most usual of these is a pink mutation, known as the Rosa Bourke(s) or the Rosey Bourke(s).