Bourke's Parrot

About the species

A parrot that comes alive at dusk

Bourke's parrot is one of the few parrot species with a crepuscular rhythm - it's most lively in the early morning and evening hours, while during the day it prefers to rest. Owners who don't know this sometimes assume the bird is dull or unwell during the day, when in fact this is simply the species' natural daily activity pattern.

That means Bourke's parrot shows most of its energy and curiosity in the evening, when the household returns home or the light in the room dims - that's the best time to plan play and interaction.

One of the quietest parrots there is

Bourke's parrot isn't known as a talker and rarely mimics sounds or words - it communicates with soft chattering, and loud screeching is rare for this species. That makes it one of the quietest parrots around, suitable even for apartments with thin walls, where a noisier species would quickly cause problems with neighbors.

It also means that anyone hoping for a parrot that will learn to talk or whistle tunes won't find that in a Bourke's - its strength is calm, not expressiveness.

Gentle, but not a cuddly bird

By nature, Bourke's parrot is gentle and unobtrusive, but it isn't an especially cuddly bird. With trust and patient, consistent handling it becomes tame around its owner, but it's less likely to actively seek close physical contact the way a cockatoo or some conure species would.

For an owner, that means realistic expectations: a friendly, calm companion rather than a bird that climbs onto your shoulder on its own or demands petting.

Moderate exercise needs

Unlike more high-strung small parakeets, Bourke's parrot doesn't need an especially large aviary, though it still needs room to fly and some time out of the cage every day. A reasonably sized aviary or regular daily flight opportunities in a safely prepared room are enough.

Its calm nature doesn't mean it can go without exercise - its physical activity needs are simply less intense, though still regular.

Peaceful company - alone, in a pair, or with other birds

Bourke's parrot is considered one of the most peaceful small parrots, and in a sufficiently spacious aviary it can share space with other calm species such as finches, doves, or other small parakeets. That sets it apart from many other small parrots that become territorial in a shared aviary.

It's recommended to give it a partner of its own species, since in the wild it lives in pairs or small flocks and does best kept as a pair in captivity. With plenty of owner attention and daily interaction, though, it also manages well on its own.

Care and diet

Caring for a Bourke's parrot is considered undemanding - it's one of the easier small parrots to maintain, which, along with its quiet nature, is the main reason it's recommended even for less experienced keepers. Its diet should be based on a quality seed mix or pellets for small parrots, supplemented with fresh vegetables, leafy greens and a small amount of fruit.

Because the species is quieter and less demanding in terms of space, its enrichment doesn't need as intensive a daily program as more active relatives, though regular foraging and chew toys are still worthwhile to prevent boredom.

An ideal first parrot - but still a parrot

Bourke's parrot is considered one of the most beginner-friendly small parrots thanks to its calm, unobtrusive nature, quiet voice and simple care needs. Even so, like any parrot, it needs daily attention, room to fly and social contact - it isn't a bird that can be left alone in a cage for days at a time.

With good care in captivity it typically lives around 10 to 15 years, which is worth weighing just as seriously as with any other parrot before deciding to get one.

Pros & cons