Rosa Bourke Parakeet

[shylock73]

Does anyone have a Rosa Bourke? If so, could you let me know whether they are susceptible to any particular ailments to be avoided, and any other useful thing to know about them. They are a very lovely quiet little bird with a endearing `Cheep` not a noisy `squawk` like a budgie. Mine is pink and loves to fly around the room every day. She was found 3 years ago in a tree outside my house during the winter, quite exhausted, so I`ve been very lucky so far in looking after her. She lives mainly on `Trill` and Millet and loves a piece of walnut but won`t touch `groundsel, green food, or fruit`.

[wildwood]

They are the same as a wild type bourke, just a colour mutation.
Being a neophema species, they sometimes get eye problems but you'll soon notice that. Human anti-biotic eye drops work wonders.
Other than the worm problem that afflicts all parrots, they are an extremely robust bird and, I agree, a joy to have around.
One thing you need to watch with an inside bird is the weight. As long as it has a good fly around the room as often as possible it should be ok. The biggest problem with all companion parrots is obesity, even on their normal diet they fly less as they get older so you may eventually have to consider feeding it daily or a (shudder) pellet diet.
Have you tried chickweed as a greenfood? there are not many birds that will refuse that.
A very little bit of hardboiled egg may be appreciated or a mealworm or two. In the wild they will eat some termites so will do better if a little bit of animal protein is included in their diet.
If looked after properly it can easily live for 20 years so I hope you enjoy a long relationship.

[shylock73]

A brilliant response wildwood, thankyou very much indeed.