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Lifespan, longevity, and ageing

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Maximum longevity: 12.6 years (captivity) Observations: One specimen lived 12.6 years in captivity (Brouwer et al. 2000).
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Trophic Strategy

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Bourke's parrots feed early in the morning and at dusk. They arrive at watering holes a few hours prior to sunrise and a few hours after sunset (Harper, 1986). However, these parrots are not considered to be truly crepuscular. All of the birds in Australia's interior behave in the same way in order to avoid feeding during the hottest part of the day (Immelmann, 1968).

Bourke's parrots eat grass seeds, herbaceous plant seeds, acacia tree seeds and green shoots.

Plant Foods: leaves; seeds, grains, and nuts

Primary Diet: herbivore (Granivore )

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Pappas, J. 2002. "Neopsephotus bourkii" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Neopsephotus_bourkii.html
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Associations

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Known predators of Bourke's parrots include foxes (Family Canidae) and feral cats (Felis silvestris).

Known Predators:

  • foxes (Canidae)
  • feral cats (Felis silvestris)
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Pappas, J. 2002. "Neopsephotus bourkii" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Neopsephotus_bourkii.html
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Morphology

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Bourke's Parrots are 18 cm (Simpson and Day, 1999) to as much as 23 cm long (Macdonald, 1973). Tail length is approximately 9 cm. They weigh approximately 42 to 49 g (Stuckey, 2000). The male parrot has a salmon pink throat and foreneck. The center of the breast and abdomen is a rosey-pink. Pale blue coloration is present under the wing coverts and on the marginal coverts around the bend of the wing. The wing primaries are dark blue, while the central tail feathers are blue with bluish-white to white outer edges and tips. The frontal band which extends over the eyes to the neck is blue. The crown and hind neck are brown with pink-colored highlights. The back, innermost wing secondaries, rump and upper tail coverts are dark brown. Under the tail and on the flanks the coloration is blue. Overall, males and females are similar in coloration with one exception. In males, the frontal band is pronounced, and in females it is reduced or absent (Harper, 1986; Simpson and Day, 1999). Females are slightly smaller than males (Harper, 1986).

Range mass: 42 to 49 g.

Range length: 18 to 23 cm.

Sexual Dimorphism: male larger; sexes colored or patterned differently

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry

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Life Expectancy

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The lifespan of Bourke's parrots is probably similar to the budgerigar, around five to eight years while in captivity. Their lifespan in the wild is shorter.

Average lifespan
Status: captivity:
12.6 years.

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Pappas, J. 2002. "Neopsephotus bourkii" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Neopsephotus_bourkii.html
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Habitat

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These parrots frequent small shrubby and sandy plains (Harper, 1986) as well as savannas of Australia. They may be found in clumps of mulga (Macdonald, 1973; Simpson and Day, 1999) and acacia scrub in dry spinifex plains (Eastman and Hunt, 1966).

Bourke's parrots may be found in gardens of Australian homes, looking for a drink of water (Immelmann, 1968).

Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; scrub forest

Other Habitat Features: urban ; suburban

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Pappas, J. 2002. "Neopsephotus bourkii" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Neopsephotus_bourkii.html
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Distribution

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Bourke's parrots are found in the interior regions of central and southern Australia (Harper, 1986). They range from southwestern Queensland to the very western edge of New South Wales to the northern part of South Australia and the eastern and central parts of Western Australia.

Biogeographic Regions: australian (Native )

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Pappas, J. 2002. "Neopsephotus bourkii" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Neopsephotus_bourkii.html
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Associations

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Because of their food habits, Bourke's parrots may contribute to seed dispersal. They may also contribute to the prevention of the growth of unwanted grass or other types of seeds.

Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds

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Pappas, J. 2002. "Neopsephotus bourkii" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Neopsephotus_bourkii.html
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Benefits

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These parrots are a welcome addition to aviaries because of their quiet demeanor. Also, because they are granivores they may prevent the growth of unwanted grass or other types of seeds.

Positive Impacts: pet trade

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Pappas, J. 2002. "Neopsephotus bourkii" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Neopsephotus_bourkii.html
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Benefits

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This quiet, unobtrusive bird does not cause problems for humans.

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Pappas, J. 2002. "Neopsephotus bourkii" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Neopsephotus_bourkii.html
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Conservation Status

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Historically, there have been reports that this parrot is uncommon in Australia. However, because these birds are found in sparsely populated areas, they are not easily observed (Harper, 1986). Bourke's parrot populations fluctuate with the degree of sheep farming and grazing in their habitat (Immelmann, 1968).

Bourke's parrots are listed under Appendix II by CITES but are not listed by the IUCN.

CITES: appendix ii

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

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Behavior

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Bourke's parrots utter a call that has been described as a soft twitter (Simpson and Day, 1986; Simpson and Day, 1999). They may utter a "chu-wee" while in flight or a warbling whistle (Macdonald, 1973) or "chirrup chirrup" call (Stuckey, 2000). When alarmed, Bourke's parrots may utter a "kik-kik kik-kik" call (Stuckey, 2000). These birds are generally quiet and docile (Immelmann, 1968).

Communication Channels: acoustic

Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical

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Untitled

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Throughout their taxonomic history, Bourke's parrots have been placed in the genus Neopsephotus (e.g., Immelmann, 1968; Simpson and Day, 1999) or in the genus Neophema (e.g, Barrett, 1947; Eastman and Hunt, 1966; Macdonald, 1973; Simpson and Day, 1986).

Bourke's parrots were named after Sir Richard Bourke, the governor of New South Wales, by Sir Thomas L. Mitchell, who first discovered the birds by the Bogan River, New South Wales. In 1841, John Gould first described and drew Bourke's parrots, sometimes called the Bourke's parakeet (Immelmann, 1968).

These parrots were first exhibited at the London Zoo in 1867. They were first bred in Belgium and Germany in the late 1800's (Stuckey, 2000).

These parrots are quiet and gentle. Bourke's parrots may be found in gardens of Australian homes, looking for a drink of water (Immelmann, 1968). They are very aggreeable birds, and have become popular birds for aviculturalists to breed. These birds may be housed with many other species of parrots, finches, doves, and soft-bills (Harper, 1986).

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Reproduction

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Bourke's parrots are monogamous. Males will guard their territories during the nesting period. They will also feed the female with regurgitated food when she is incubating the eggs (Eastman and Hunt, 1966).

In captivity, the male will display to the female by walking around her, curtsying, and drawing himself upward in a tall posture. Sometimes, the male will raise his wings over his back to show the blue coloration underneath (Hill, 1967).

Mating System: monogamous

The breeding season for Bourke's parrots is from August to October (Eastman and Hunt, 1966; Harper, 1986) and possibly to December (Macdonald, 1973), depending on rainfall (Macdonald, 1973; Harper, 1986).

The nest is usually in a hollow limb or hole in mulga or acacia trees (Eastman and Hunt, 1966) around one to three meters off the ground (Hill, 1976). There is no nest lining in the hole (Immelmann, 1968). The three to six eggs per clutch (Eastman and Hunt, 1966) are white and rounded (Harper, 1986). Incubation time is approximately 17 (Eastman and Hunt, 1966) to 20 days (Harper, 1986). The chicks fledge after about 4 weeks and become independent in 8 to 10 days after fledging.

Breeding season: August to October (sometimes to December)

Range eggs per season: 3 to 6.

Range time to hatching: 17 to 20 days.

Average fledging age: 4 weeks.

Range time to independence: 8 to 10 days.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (Internal ); oviparous

The female incubates the eggs (Eastman and Hunt, 1966). She leaves the nest only to drink water or defecate. The male feeds her with regurgitated food while she attends to the eggs. Both parents feed the altricial young (Immelmann, 1968).

The young leave the nest after approximately four weeks (Immelmann, 1968; Harper, 1986). After another eight to ten days of parental feeding, the chicks are independent (Immelmann, 1968). The chicks have smoky-colored down on blackish skin (Eastman and Hunt, 1966). Adult colored plumage is evident in four to six week old birds (Stuckey, 2000).

Parental Investment: no parental involvement; altricial ; pre-fertilization; pre-hatching/birth (Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Male, Female); pre-independence (Provisioning: Male, Female)

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Bourke's parrot

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Bourke's parrot (Neopsephotus bourkii, formerly known as Neophema bourkii), also known as the blue-vented parrot, sundown parrot, pink-bellied parrot, Bourke's parakeet, Bourke or "Bourkie", is a small parrot found in Australia and the only species in its genus, Neopsephotus. It is approximately 19 cm long and weighs around 45 grams.[3] It is named after General Sir Richard Bourke, Governor of New South Wales from 1831 to 1837.

Description

Pair of wild Bourke's parrots, SW Queensland, Australia.

The Bourke's parrot is a relatively small species. They tend to vary between 18 cm and 23 cm in length with a tail length of approximately 9 cm. The females of the species tend to be slightly smaller than the males: males of the species weigh between 47 g and 49 g whilst females weigh between 41 g and 49 g. Both sexes look very similar until the age of nine months, after which they come into full plumage colour. In the wild, Bourke's parakeets display an overall brown colouration with a pink abdomen, pinkish breast and a blue rump. The legs are dark-brown, with zygodactyl toes. The bill is yellowish-brown. The adult male has a blue forehead while the adult female has a little or no blue on the forehead. The Bourke's parrot's feathers help it blend in with the reddish soil of its arid home.[4]

The bird's call has been described as a "soft twitter".[5] Other sounds made by the Bourke's parrot go "chu-vee", "chirrup chirrup", or when alarmed, "kik-kik-kik".[6]

Taxonomy and naming

Pair of Bourke's parrots from John Gould's The Birds of Australia.

The name of the Bourke's parrot comes from Sir Thomas L. Mitchell, who spotted the bird in New South Wales in 1835.[7] Mitchell named the species after Sir Richard Bourke, the governor of the state at the time.

The ornithologist John Gould wrote the first scientific description of the Bourke's parrot in 1841.[8] Gould initially classified the species as Euphema bourkii, but it was later classified within the genus Neophema which fully consists of grass parakeets.

In the mid-90s, the Bourke's was reclassified into its own genus, Neopsephotus. This was done because of a lack of evidence that the parrot could hybridize with the rest of the Neophema genus; they are different in colouration and live a nomadic lifestyle throughout the arid regions of Australia.[9] The Bourke's parrot is still however referred to as a type of grass parakeet.

Distribution and habitat

The Bourke's parrot is native to Australia. As a nomadic species, following water and food sources, it has a vast range. The Bourke's parrot is mainly found in sparsely populated areas; however they have been known to dwell in urban areas as well. These parrots can be found from the South-western parts of Queensland deep into western New South Wales, throughout Central Australia to the far northern parts of South Australia and parts of Western Australia.[10] The Bourke's parrot's main habitat consists of areas dominated by Acacia species, particularly mulga, and spinifex plains.[5] The species can also be found in native cypress and open eucalypt woodlands.

Ecology and behaviour

The Bourke's parrot has been described as both arboreal and terrestrial; it perches and nests in trees, but also frequently lives on the ground where it can easily camouflage.[8] The flight pattern of the Bourke's parakeet is short but swift, interspersed with gliding motions.[6] It usually flies close to the ground in quick bursts, as it travels between trees. The bird's wing beat is minimal and produces an audible whirring sound.[6]

In the wild the Bourke's parrot tends to live in pairs or small groups, ranging from approximately four to six.[11] Larger flocks ranging in the hundreds are also made by the species, particularly during times of drought.[12][8]

Breeding

Eggs, Collection Museum Wiesbaden

During the nesting season, males are highly territorial, chasing away any potential intruders or threats. Breeding season for the Bourke's parrot usually occurs between the months of August and October, but can also draw out into December, depending on the season and availability of resources.

Bourke's parrots are monogamous, staying with a single partner.[13] Their nests tend to be situated from 1 metre to 3 metres above ground level in hollow limbs of the mulga tree or other acacia species. Eggs are generally laid on a bed of decayed wood at the bottom of the tree hollow. The Bourke's parrot has a clutch of 3 to 6 eggs, which are incubated by the female for 18–19 days. During this period, she is fed by the male parrot, only leaving the nest to find water or to defecate.

Once the chicks hatch, both parents feed their young. Offspring begin fledging at about 4 weeks of age, becoming fully independent around 8 to 10 days later.[14]

Diet

Bourke's parrots forage on the ground and in bushes for grasses and seeds, most active feeding at dusk and dawn.[4] Due to their diet the Bourke's parrot works as a known seed disperser.

Aviculture

The Bourke's parrot is a relatively popular aviary bird. It is particularly common among new bird owners, as it is known for its quiet and passive temperament. Due to their peaceful nature, Bourke's parrots may be kept in captivity with a number of other species including finches, doves and other small parakeets. Bourke's parrots rarely learn to talk.[15] Unlike many other species of parrots, the Bourke's parrot does not climb and instead relies on hopping or flying to reach higher perches.[16] This species typically lives for 10-15 years when kept in captivity, but some individuals do surpass this lifespan.[15]

There are few documented mutations found in captive Bourke's parrots; such as yellow, Isabel, fallow and pink or rosa.[17] The rosa mutation is particularly common in aviculture, lending to the popular name "Rosy Bourke." Additionally, while Bourke's parakeets lacking a color mutation can often be sexed visually, males and females with a color mutation cannot.[18]

There have been recorded instances of the Bourke's parrot producing hybrids with the scarlet-chested parrot (Neophema splendida).[19][20]

Threats

The Bourke's parrot is not listed as threatened by the IUCN. The main threat faced by this particular species is predation from red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) introduced from Europe and feral cats (Felis silvestris). Drought and clearing of watering holes can have significant impacts on the population. However, there have not been a noticeable decline in numbers; rather they are steadily increasing.[1] This is likely due to the reasoning that their habitat is so far spread and they have little contact with predators compared to other parakeet species.

Gallery

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Neopsephotus bourkii.
Wikispecies has information related to Neopsephotus bourkii.
  1. ^ a b BirdLife International (2016). "Neopsephotus bourkii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22685191A93062409. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22685191A93062409.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Neopsephotus bourkii". Avibase.
  3. ^ Bourke's Parrot or Neopsephotus bourkii
  4. ^ a b ""Bourke's Parrot Fact Sheet, Lincoln Park Zoo"". Archived from the original on 2020-03-23. Retrieved 2011-08-08.
  5. ^ a b Simpson; Nicolas Day (2010). Birds of Australia. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0691146928.
  6. ^ a b c Peter Stuckey. "Bourkes parakeet review". Archived from the original on 2002-08-06.
  7. ^ MacGillivray, W. (1927). "The Charming Bourke Parrot". Emu - Austral Ornithology. Informa UK Limited. 27 (2): 65–67. doi:10.1071/mu927065. ISSN 0158-4197.
  8. ^ a b c Immelmann, Klaus (1968). Australian Parakeets. Wittemberg/Belgium: A. Ziemsen Verlag/ A.O.B.
  9. ^ [1], "7 Things You Must Know About Grass Parakeets, Harter".
  10. ^ "Bourke’s Parrot: Neopsephotus bourkii, Birdlife Australia"
  11. ^ Eastman; Hunt (1966). The Parrots of Australia: A Guide to Field Identification and Habits. Sydney: Angus and Robertson Ltd.
  12. ^ Macdonald, James (1973). Birds of Australia: A Summary of Information. London, U.K.: H.F. & G. Witherby Ltd.
  13. ^ "Neopsephotus bourkii Bourke's parrot, Animal Diversity Web"
  14. ^ "Field Guide to Australian Birds", Morcombe, Michael, Steve Parish Publishing, Australia, 2000 ISBN 1-876282-10-X
  15. ^ a b "Bourke's Parrots aka Bourke Parakeets, Rosey Bourkes". Beauty of Birds. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  16. ^ "Bourke Parakeet Care Sheet" (PDF). Creature Comforts. Retrieved February 28, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ "The New Australian Parakeet Handbook", Vriends, Barron’s Educational Series, Inc., Hauppauge, NY, 1992 ISBN 0-8120-4739-7
  18. ^ "Meet the Bourke's Parakeet". Lafeber Company - Avian Expert Articles. August 20, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ Crosby, Joseph M. (1978). "The Splendid Bourke". AFA Watchbird. 5 (5): 31–33. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  20. ^ Smith, R. V.; Turquoisine Aviaries. "The gentle little bourke". AFA Watchbird.
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Bourke's parrot: Brief Summary

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Bourke's parrot (Neopsephotus bourkii, formerly known as Neophema bourkii), also known as the blue-vented parrot, sundown parrot, pink-bellied parrot, Bourke's parakeet, Bourke or "Bourkie", is a small parrot found in Australia and the only species in its genus, Neopsephotus. It is approximately 19 cm long and weighs around 45 grams. It is named after General Sir Richard Bourke, Governor of New South Wales from 1831 to 1837.

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