Bourke’s Parakeet Care Guide: Diet, Lifespan, Housing & Health
A vet-informed care guide for the Bourke's Parakeet — a beginner-level companion bird that can live 10-15 typical in captivity years. Housing, diet (and toxic foods to avoid), temperament, health and enrichment.
The Bourke's Parakeet (Neopsephotus bourkii) is a beginner-level companion bird that can live around 10-15 typical in captivity years — a long commitment. Here is how to care for one properly: housing, diet, health, temperament and enrichment, based on avian-veterinary guidance.
Quick facts
| Care level | Beginner |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | 10-15 typical in captivity (up to ~25 with excellent care) years |
| Adult size | 18-23 cm (~7-9 in) |
| Noise level | Quiet |
| Talking ability | Limited |
| Best for | First-time keepers, noise-sensitive homes and apartments, and aviarists wanting a calm, peaceful grass parakeet. |
Housing a Bourke's Parakeet
Minimum recommended cage: ~90 x 46 x 46 cm (36 x 18 x 18 in) as a practical minimum, with horizontal length prioritised for flight; a longer flight cage or aviary is strongly preferred; bar spacing ~1.3 cm. Bigger is always better — birds fly horizontally, so width matters more than height. Provide varied natural-wood perches of different diameters, and place the cage in a social, draught-free part of the home away from the kitchen (cooking fumes, especially from non-stick cookware, are deadly to birds).
What to feed a Bourke's Parakeet
Staple: Quality small-parrot/grass-parakeet seed mix supplemented with formulated pellets; sprouted/soaked seeds; grasses and seeding heads reflect the natural diet.
Fresh foods: Fresh vegetables and leafy greens plus occasional fruit; millet spray in moderation.
Foods that are toxic to your Bourke's Parakeet — never feed these
Avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, onion, garlic, fruit pits/apple seeds, and excessively salty or sugary foods.
Temperament & social needs
Gentle, calm, peaceful and somewhat timid; soft chirping/warbling voice, most active and vocal at dawn and dusk. Rarely talks or does tricks.
Peaceful and social; does well in pairs or in a mixed grass-parakeet/finch aviary. Needs daily interaction or a companion if kept singly indoors.
Enrichment
Space for long horizontal flight is the main need, plus foraging with seeding grasses and gentle toys; enjoys bathing.
Common health problems in Bourke's Parakeet
Psittacosis, respiratory infections, aspergillosis, canker (trichomoniasis), and intestinal parasites (particularly in outdoor aviaries); otherwise a fairly hardy species.
Birds hide illness until they are seriously unwell — a bird that looks "off" is an emergency. Establish care with an avian vet before you need one, and schedule an annual well-bird check.
Setup essentials
Birbs.com may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
In the wild
The Bourke's Parakeet is also a wild bird — see the Bourke's Parakeet species profile for its natural range, behaviour and conservation status.
Frequently asked questions
How long do Bourke's Parakeet live?
With good care a Bourke's Parakeet typically lives 10-15 typical in captivity years — a long-term commitment.
Is a Bourke's Parakeet a good pet for beginners?
It is rated Beginner-level. Bourke's Parakeets suit first-time keepers, noise-sensitive homes and apartments, and aviarists wanting a calm, peaceful grass parakeet.
What can Bourke's Parakeet not eat?
Never feed a Bourke's Parakeet: Avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, onion, garlic, fruit pits/apple seeds, and excessively salty or sugary foods.. These are toxic to birds.
Sources & further reading
- Psittacology — Bourke's Parakeet Care & Diet (opens in a new tab)
- Northern Parrots — Bourke's Parakeet Fact Sheet (opens in a new tab)
- Hepper Pet Resources — Bourke Parakeet Care Guide (opens in a new tab)
- World Parrot Trust — Bourke's Parrot encyclopedia (opens in a new tab)
- AnAge / genomics.senescence.info — Neopsephotus bourkii longevity (opens in a new tab)
