Couple of Bourkie Questions

[FreddyCheeks]

I recently got two young male Bourke parakeets and there is a few things that I'm not 100% on.

1- Can two males be housed together? These guys are siblings and were housed together at the store.

2- I was under the impression that these little guys were one of the quietest birds, but these lil buggers go off every morning at 630 (and now 745). Is there a way to curb that?

3- Only one of the two sits on the perches. Could this be that it's too young or going back to question one, could it be the ones not letting it up there?

Any help is appreciated, as is any added info.

 

[MonicaMc]

1- Yes

2- In terms of volume, they are pretty quiet! Females do tend to be quieter, though.

3- Any number of reasons. Bourkes are ground foragers, so they can, and will, go to the bottom of a cage and run around or forage. If the bird is sick, that might cause them to be on the ground as well. If they are clipped - another possible reason. Bourkes don't really "climb" like other parrots do - they tend to fly from place to place more like finches.

 

[FreddyCheeks]

Thanks.
They were clipped from the store. I thought they could climb.
I did just downsize the cage though. Maybe this might help.

 

[reeb]

I agree with everything Monica has said! All parrots make noise, but Bourkes are noticeably quieter. I think people often expect them to be close to silent, but they are still parrots - just think of how quiet your little boys are compared to a sun conure! ❤️ hope you enjoy your new babies.


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[MonicaMc]

Bourke parakeets are not natural climbers. They don't climb around cage bars like budgies, cockatiels, conures or many other parrot species do... they fly. They fly from spot to spot. This doesn't mean that they can't learn to climb, but basically, it's like taking a finch and clipping it's wings.... only bourkes are better able to grasp onto cage bars as compared to finches are.


Considering how charming bourke parakeets are, I would *LOVE* to see more of them being kept as pets, but not at the detriment of having their wings clipped...

 

[FreddyCheeks]

I agree with everything Monica has said! All parrots make noise, but Bourkes are noticeably quieter. I think people often expect them to be close to silent, but they are still parrots - just think of how quiet your little boys are compared to a sun conure! ❤️ hope you enjoy your new babies.


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Yeah, I thought quiet. It is a pretty chirp and I don't mind it, it's more the time of day that they chirp. LOL.

Considering how charming bourke parakeets are, I would *LOVE* to see more of them being kept as pets, but not at the detriment of having their wings clipped...

Yeah, I'm going to let there wings grow out.

It's funny how they have such different personalities. The one is fine sitting on you, as long as you don't touch it, but the other one does kisses, snuggle in the hair, and doesn't mind being touched.

 

[Nerine]

I keep my bourke's cage mostly covered at night....they seem to be super sensitive to the smallest amount of light, and then they are up, ready to party! lol

Bourkes do best if their wings are not clipped. Mine was heavily clipped when I first got her, and she would crash to the ground like a stone. Although not as nimble as a budgie, she was quite adept at climbing around her cage. My advice would be to keep your bourkes caged until the flight feathers grow back-about 5 or 6 months-before letting them out for some practice flights.