Identifying the Six Most Notable Color Variations in Bourke Parakeets

Curious about what color to call your Bourke? As we hand feed some of our sweet youngsters, we identify each color variety as they're fed. Showing Lutino, Normal, Opaline Fallow, Cream, Rosy and Rubino.

[@annadavide2776]

A beautiful bunch of babies💙 The love and commitment you show them is really impressive.

[@RosieBirds]

Thank you. We love them.

[@su2471]

My Bourkes just go crazy singing along with yours when I watch your videos. Thanks for sharing.

[@RosieBirds]

I always recommend two Bourkes (or more) ... they are happiest in the company of their own kind. They love us, but still like a companion of their own.

[@su2471]

I have two Bourkes, and your book, which I'm hoping will help me breed them when they come of age!

[@RosieBirds]

Thanks for getting it. A review on Amazon.com will be highly appreciated!

[@su2471]

I reviewed it on Amazon.ca because I'm in Canada!!!

[@claudiarottner8804]

So did mine 🥰 My birds started singing as well when I watched this lovely video

[@MrTr3D]

Gorgeous birds. I love the bright pink one.

[@jonigarbauskas9146]

They are so beautiful it would be so hard to choose just one favorite!!!!!!

[@berglettemom6045]

Thank you, Gail. Your videos are so helpful! I’m waiting for my pair to hatch their first clutch. It’s so exciting but I’m nervous, too, because I’ve never done this before.

[@RosieBirds]

Did you order a copy of my book? Good info. in it. Smile. www.amazon.com/Rosie-Guide-Small-Exotic-Birds/dp/198676348X/

[@maryhabeger2519]

So fun to watch this video as I’m looking at the Rubino and opaline fallow hens I’m getting! Can hardly wait to come get them along with a normal and a Rosie male. I’ve been wanting them for a long time! I love your videos!

[@RosieBirds]

Looking forward to meeting you. I'm certain you're going to love these little beauties.

[@mohammadquasim3667]

Wow so cute 💞💞💞💞💞👌

[@floydy22]

Keep your videos coming please. I play them to my Rosa Bourke and he goes nuts for the noises. I play them daily. He even goes nuts at the starting music he knows it thats much. I must take a video sometime of him for you!!! Love the vids keep them coming!!!

[@MrTr3D]

Hi Rosie, I got your book today. Ordered on Wed and arrived on Sat. Amazon said it would come next week, but it came quickly.

[@RosieBirds]

Happy to hear that. Thank you for buying it ... I look forward to reading your review on Amazon. Smile.

[@MrTr3D]

Hi Gail, you're very welcome. Thank you for writing it and sharing your valuable knowledge with others and people like me who don't know much about birds, but love them. My niece told me about the different forums and social media, but in the past when I asked people on youtube, only 3 people replied. Nowadays, people care more about their stupid selfie and their phones than to talk or help people. Just like one girl on youtube (flock talk). I subscribed to her channel and asked her several questions, but I never got any replied. I unsubscribed her. What's the point to subscribe to people when they have no intention of replying/helping me out. It's like you say hi to people on the streets when you pass them, and they just ignore you as if you're a ghost to them. I'm sure forums are helpful, yah if people are willing to help one another. I read a few beginning pages and certain chapters that related to me. However, the weather here in Californa is too damn hot and so I can't do much. I don't even cook on hot days and I feel sleepy & tired. I'll read more when I have time. If I have any feedbacks, I'll let you know.

[@user-np5vy4ds5o]

Very helpful. Thanks 🥰

[@RosieBirds]

Glad to help. There's more on my blog, "The Splendid Bourke Bird Blog," and especially in my book, "Rosie Bird's Guide to Small Exotic Birds." www.amazon.com/Rosie-Birds-Guide-Small-Exotic/dp/198676348X/

[@tmy4361]

👍💝

[@cherylwagner17]

My bourke loves watching your birds I will need to find friend I’m not interested in having babies I’m want him to have company Or they next best thing is watching your video The longer the better Thanks 🙏

[@RosieBirds]

Thank you. Another Bourke of the same sex is probably good idea. ;-) Birds are flock animals and people can't be present 24/7 like another bird can be.

[@arthuroctavionebias9908]

I HAVE ONE THIS BOOK. IS VERY GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@garaasanGOD]

AAAWWW, THIS IS SO AWESOME!

[@RosieBirds]

Thank you! We love our birds.

[@jessicaabukhamsin5048]

Omg im i love with the yellow and pink one.

[@RosieBirds]

The Lutino Bourkes are beautiful, and ours are very sweet.

[@rsameer6964]

beauty

[@MrTr3D]

Great video. How much do bourke parakeets cost? Hand raised?

[@gailhusbandlewis9202]

Hello MrT -- Prices vary according to color and rarity ... A few start at $125 and can go up to $300. I typically add an extra $25 per bird for those that are hand fed. That may cover the extra cost involved, but does not begin to cover the extra time it takes. However, I love them and want people who get them to love them too. Tame birds help insure they are sweet and lovable.

[@MrTr3D]

Thank you Gail for the reply. I appreciate it. What country and city do you live? I just hate shipping birds. It's so stressful for animals and people when it comes to traveling. My niece loves bourke parakeet. I didn't know about them until I watched a video from Love of Pets and she gave an overview of this bird. I wish this bird could talk like a budgie, but I know it can't or not much. The rose, white and yellow color is really beautiful. I just got a parrotlet, and I don't think he was hand raised. He's afraid of everything. I can't even pet him. I'm trying to feed him other foods besides seeds only, but it's so hard. He didn't like hard boiled egg, strawberry. He threw them out. I think I saw him eating lettuce today when I wasn't too far from him. I couldn't sit too close to him to watch what he ate/didn't eat. This Sat he'll be 17 wks old. I can't even play with him. He's so shy. I roll ball at him and he runs away. New toys/food, nope. He doesn't even play with the toys/hangings and so I don't know what to do. He sits mostly on his perch and that's why I try to get him out several times/day and hold him. Sometimes let him lose on the ground and let him run to have exercise. How many years of experience with birds do you have? I know you have a book and I might buy it to learn more. Some day I probably want to breed. I tried rescuing 3 baby birds in June, but due to lack of knowledge of feeding them and caring them, they all died on the 2nd day. I was sad for 2 wks and then my sisters decided to buy me a parrotlet.

[@gailhusbandlewis9202]

We are near Coos Bay in Oregon, USA. About taming your parrotlet ... please get my book, it will help. They are very different from a Bourke Parakeet ... Bourkes are quieter, and easier to tame. Bourkes may not talk, but their natural songs are lovely, not loud like Budgies.

[@MrTr3D]

Thank you for the reply and tips. I will definitely consider in getting your book. Not sure when, but I'm sure it will be a very helpful book. Thanks.

[@MrTr3D]

Hi Gail, I just ordered your book. It should come next week.

[@lindajennings4566]

Love your video💕💝how often do the need feeding when you start hand feeding to this age ?

[@RosieBirds]

Five times a day. At four weeks they can be fed less often, maybe 4 times a day. Newly hatched chicks will need a feeding or two in the middle of the night, but by two weeks of age they don't have to be fed at night.

[@MegaGANOEXCEL]

Love your videos

[@MrTr3D]

Hi Gail, is it safe to use polypropylene or nylon ropes from home depot? I wanted to create a cargo net for my bird to climb on. I wasn't sure if these types of ropes are safe for any birds (small/large). The ones that are used for tying down cargo.

[@RosieBirds]

For the benefit of other readers, MrT has a parrotlet, not a Bourke. Parrotlets are different than Bourkes in that they climb a lot and Bourkes do not. Bourkes are flyers, not climbers. My experience with Parrotlets is very limited, however, I recommend avoiding hemp or sisal rope as it is plant based and would encourage chewing and possible ingestion. A Parrotlet might still chew on the polypropylene or nylon rope ... I can't really give you a decisive answer and I don't know any breeders of Parrotlets. I would avoid colored items, especially from China as birds that have ingested paint from Chinese bird toys have been poisoned from the dyes that they use.

[@MrTr3D]

Thank you for the tips about ropes and toys. I just wanted professional advice. Thanks

[@MichelineRemillard-sm7uh]

Comme sont beaux ces oiseaux

[@soozannah4555]

I need some advice on my female bourke. She's been broody for at least 3 mos. She lays eggs but does not sit on them. She just sits in the corner of the cage. Is there anything I can or should be doing for her? She won't let the male get close to her at all.

[@RosieBirds]

Sitting in the corner of the cage or nest box? If she's on floor of the cage, that's not a good sign. Write to me at [e-mail] and we can message back and forth.

[@oscarlandicho3828]

Hi just want to ask you. normally what month do Bourke parakeets breeds thanks

[@RosieBirds]

With all birds it is long hours of light (day length) that affects their circadian rhythm and makes them want to mate and raise young. Our indoor lighting affects them too. So, they can breed at any time of year if they get long hours of light. I think in Australia (If I remember correctly), they breed in November there. I allow ours to breed in Spring and Summer, but remove nest boxes and limit lighting to ten hours per day in Fall and Winter to allow them to rest for 8 months every year.

[@oscarlandicho3828]

@@RosieBirds right now i covered the nest box to thinking of having them mate by April. Or should i just leave it open for when they feel like using the nest? Thanks again

[@RosieBirds]

@@oscarlandicho3828 I don't know where you are, Oscar, or what your weather is like there. In southern Oregon on the coast Spring comes early, so I put our nest boxes up in late Feb. They still have to mate and lay eggs which then take 18 to 21 days to hatch, then another six weeks to fledge and 8 weeks to be fully weaned.

[@oscarlandicho3828]

@@RosieBirds I am on the east coast still a bit cold New Jersey to be exact.

[@oscarlandicho3828]

@@RosieBirds ok thanks a lot I will put them where the sun shines in the morning.

[@squaretriangle9208]

Into the tissuebox😂😂

[@RosieBirds]

Similar to a nest box, but easier to keep clean. :-)

[@squaretriangle9208]

@@RosieBirds 👍

[@alexandriajanosik899]

Hi Gail! Can you tell me what exact food you use to mix with water and heat up a little to feed the baby Bourkies in the pipette? My 3 month old male is just having a really hard time with taming. He won’t step up. He loves my other Bourkies but he just is so afraid of us even though we are so so gentle with our Bourkies. I have very tame Bourkies but he just maybe needs some one on one food time? Would you suggest that?

[@RosieBirds]

Hi Alexandria, Hand feeding a 3 month old bird is unlikely to change him. At 3 weeks of age and older they resist hand feeding. My adult birds that like the hand feeding formula were hand fed from about 2 weeks of age. My birds that were NOT hand fed don't eat the formula, they ignore it. I think your youngster will too. But, if you want to try it, we use Kaytee Exact Hand Feeding Formula. Be sure to buy it for small birds and not for large parrots. Follow package directions. I mix ours into boiling water and let it cool. It mixes better that way. Have you tried offering your bird treats in the hand while your other Bourkes are eating that way? Ours love rice cereal squares (like Rice Chex) crumbled in the hand. He isn't likely to take it right away. Offer a little bit in a dish so he learns how good it is, then offer it in the hand while your others are also eating it in your hand. He should eventually copy them. Good Luck!

[@kysarahgsd]

What's the formula you use when you are hand feeding?

[@RosieBirds]

We use Kaytee Exact Hand Feeding Formula. Package gives directions. The first few days of hatch it has to be very thin, after that we mix 4 teaspoons of hot, boiled water to 2 teaspoons of formula and mix. Let cool and feed very warm.

[@violetarakelian2850]

What type of nesting they like to lay there eggs in ?

[@RosieBirds]

Violet, Please see my most recent video. It shows you the pine shavings we use. Here's a link to it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5KqfWWqpJudjtE

[@MichelineRemillard-sm7uh]

Il a de belle couleurs

[@sinned2080]

Can you please make a video of what you feed your bourkes and what supplements/ vitamins/ treatments you use? 🙏

[@RosieBirds]

I can try, but for now, here's something: I don't add supplements or vitamins because they are provided in the enriched Budgie seed mix we buy from Hagen. We also provide frequent veggie assortments. Fresh kale and broccoli are favorites, or cooked corn, peas, green beans, lima beans, carrots, etc. Bourkes don't care for fruit. When breeding and raising young, we also offer a conditioning and nestling food we buy from MyParrotFood.com in Monroe, Oregon. Golden Spray Millet is also offered to parents and young birds. Cuttlebone is essential for calcium year round, and we also add mineral blocks. Brown rabbit salt blocks are also beneficial for the iodine and minerals they contain. Egg food is good for parents raising young. There is a recipe in my book, "Rosie Bird's Guide to Small Exotic Birds," along with much more information. Be sure the author is Gail A. Lewis and not the pirated title someone else stole.

[@sinned2080]

@@RosieBirds thank you 🙏

[@vladkilmer]

Can a Bourke be kept as a single pet bird, or are they best kept in pairs? I recently lost my female lovebird of 10 years whom I loved very dearly, and am looking into other species.

[@RosieBirds]

I'm sorry for your loss. Like many other birds, Bourkes are flock animals. They can live alone, but it's sad to do that to them because humans cannot be present for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Another companion bird can be. So, having two is kinder to them. Toys are recommended, but toys don't make up for companionship.

[@vladkilmer]

@@RosieBirds that makes sense- thank you for your reply. Very special and beautiful birds you have!

[@RosieBirds]

@@vladkilmer Thank you!

[@gailwalker6872]

Would a Rosy Bourke be ok as a cage mate with a Green Cheek Conure?

[@GingerLadyBoffin]

I would not recommend housing a bourke with a conure. I housed my tiel and budgie with my bourkes for a time in a larger flight cage, but I keep my GCCs separately. They all get outside time together, but I supervise them closely. GCCs are just so much bigger and bourkes are such docile birds.

[@MichelineRemillard-sm7uh]

J’ai 2 femelles bourques et elle s’aiment et c’est mes bébé

[@274174226]

Hi can you tell me what is the cost of these birds

[@RosieBirds]

Do you mean mine, or Bourke's in general? Prices vary from place to place. Mine in the past have ranged from $125 to $350 per bird, depending if hand fed and how rare the color is. Average price is $175 for a tame Rosy Bourke.

[@yvonnebraunwalder9728]

Hello, I love your vidéos.. can you Tell me where I can find that Kind of pipette to feed the babys ? ❤

[@RosieBirds]

Thanks! They come in a package of two and say: "ezy dose Eye/Ear Droppers bent and straight tips." I like the bent tip dropper best. I find them at our local Bi-Mart. However, they keep them in the pharmacy and I have to ask for them. For some reason they aren't out on shelves. I have not searched for them online and don't know where else they might be available.

[@user-qm2uj5gt2b]

In the rosy pink ones how can you tell male from female?

[@RosieBirds]

With a Rosy you can't tell by looking. It requires a DNA test. However, in adults sometimes their behavior gives them away. I have a video on Bourke male displays that females don't do.

[@MichelineRemillard-sm7uh]

What you give to hit

[@RosieBirds]

For newly hatched babies we use Kaytee Exact Hand Feeding Formula. As they grow toward weaning, they are offered spray millet, fresh veggies and a budgie seed mix.

[@kticram6894]

Hello, sorry this isn't about the video but I have a couple of bourkes and their baby just hatched but they stopped going in their nest. Idk what to do bc it's only a few days old but the baby is getting colder and isn't fed. I want to try to help it survive but I don't have to adequate tools to do that, I don't have anything to warm it or the right food to give it. Please anyone answer quickly bc i feel sorry for it and I don't know what to do 😰😰😰😰😰. HELP

[@RosieBirds]

Am just now seeing this on several videos. If I've not answered before, sorry. I answer when KZbin sends me an email that there is a comment on one of my videos. If they don't send a notice, I'm unlikely to see it. You can always write directly to me via email. I see those daily: [e-mail]

[@MichelineRemillard-sm7uh]

Moi elle sont rose je les ai acheter comme ça mais je n’arrive pas à les faire monter sur ma main le matin elle sorte de la cage j’ai essayer de les prendre elle me mord avec le temps je vais y arriver elle sont toujours ensemble une ne va pas pas sans autre merci