Hand Tamed Bourkes Parakeet

Johnson City TN

Description

I am looking to place a young, hand-fed and tamed Opaline/Rosie Bourke's Parakeet. She is 5 months old and is very typical of a bird of her species--she is affectionate, social, and curious, but Bourke's are not "cuddly" birds. They like to hang out on you and near you but don't want to be handled excessively or petted. They don't even preen one another in the wild, so it is part of their DNA. But they love to be in on the action and your lap top and phone will never be your own again as they help you keyboard and make sure you are getting your work done. They are fabulous flyers and need large cages with good horizontal space for same. Even if they get lots of free flight they like their cages and a proper habitat is a must. They are ground feeders so cannot exist on grates and must have a diet consisting of fresh, high quality seed with some pellets and vegetables to stay healthy. They like a lot of variety in their diet and also appreciate hand fed treats like pumpkin seed, spray millet, popcorn, and rice Chex cereal. They are very gentle and quiet birds with a very sweet voice that is more like a song bird than a parrot. They are a distinct species that evolved in very harsh, arid conditions in Australia. They have very little "jaw strength" and are somewhat defenseless. They absolutely cannot be housed with birds of other species, and other parrots (including budgies) have been known to kill them. They can be OK with non aggressive birds in a supervised flight room, but should never be left alone with certain species of birds. They are most active in the morning and evening and like to hang out in the evening with their people and buddies. I am placing her because she was sold to me as a male but it has become clear that is not the case. I have her brother from an earlier clutch and they are trying to form a bonded pair and I can't let them do that. I will be super sad to see her go and will only place her in a home that I personally feel comfortable can meet all her needs, which includes high quality food, properly sized cage, and lots of company. I won't send her to a home that clips wings as that is a crippling procedure that affects birds health and well being. Her breeder and I worked hard to give her a good start in the world and I want to ensure her continued happiness. A properly fed and housed Bourke can live up to 20 years of age. There are some great groups and forums dedicated to these birds and I recommend joining one to gain insight on this lovely species of bird. I also have books I can lend a new owner. If you are interested please send me an email. If you don't have the right habitat, I can make you a great deal on her current cage which is the minimum size I would recommend.