Bourke's Parrot
(Neophema bourkii)

Classification and Range
Family:Psittacidae, and a member of the sub-family Psittacinae. The Bourke's parrot is one of seven small “grass parrots” in the genus Neophema.

Range: interior regions of southern and central Australia

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Habitat
arid scrublands with woodlands of acacia 		Size:about 7.5 inches (19 cm) in length and weighs about 1.6 ounces (45 g) Description: N. bourkii is a small parrot with very few differences in coloration between the males and females. The only distinction is in the forehead, which is blue in males and whitish in females. Bourke’s parrots have a mottled brown or light-brown crown, nape, cheeks and upperparts. Their breast is brown and edged with pink. The abdomen is rose-pink, and the flanks and rump are pale blue. The tail and wings are brown with blue, rust and white accents. Life Span
between 8 - 15 years

Diet
eats seeds of grasses and herbs, also grass shoots

Status: fairly common and increasing

Fascinating Facts

  • Bourke's parrots may visit water sources in the pre-dawn darkness or hours after sunset, an unusual parrot behavior leading to one of its names, “night parrot!”
  • These birds are also called the Bourke's grass parakeet, pink-bellied parakeet, blue-vented parakeet and sundown parrot!

* Woodland Park Zoo identifies an animal or plant endangered if it is listed as endangered (in any part of its range) on the federal list of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants, or if it is listed on Appendix I to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

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