Thinking of getting a bourkes

[Aries]

Are these guys good hands on pets? I know they are not high energy which I don't mind. I have a lazy english budgie. LOL I am the quiet bird type and thought that a bourke might meet that expectation. I read they were sweet. I know a lady who hand feeds them and all. Would her and my budgie get along well while out of the cage together? Thanks for any help you can give. Of course I have read about them but it helps to get info from those who have hands on experience with these guys. Also, which sex is preferable?

[Monica]

Generally speaking, bourkes are aviary pets, however, if tamed, can make sweet pets! They don't tend to be very demanding, they have a lovely voice, fly beautifully, and they are gorgeous! I haven't found bourkes to enjoy the company of budgies, cause well, budgies are little pests! But it's possible that they can.

As for sex, well I couldn't tell ya. I had a female that was always on alert when she was with me and the male was more relaxed... although the male enjoyed getting headscritches, something I haven't seen any other bourke enjoy...

[amanda143]

Bourkes make great little pets. They aren't as high energy as the budgies but they aren't demanding either. The males in our aviary tend to be more vocal and they are more brightly colored also.

[Aries]

Hmmm okay thank you guys. Budgies are pest. LOL My budgie is pretty lazy so it would be better off there than with an American I think. :) I also was offered a lutino cockatiel which I was seriously considering but the dust is an issue for me. Thanks for the info on bourkes.

[Kiwipi]

Personally, I wouldn't put the Budgies in the same cage with the Bourke. I made that mistake when I got a canary...put it in the same cage as the Budgie. Went to work the next day and when I returned, the ENTIRE top of the canary's head was bloody and bald. Poor thing. The Budgie pestered it almost to death. I felt terrible. The canary made a full recovery once I put him/her in his/her own cage. :)

[Aries]

Oh I would never make them share the same cage :) I would like them to get along though for out of cage play :)

[amanda143]

It could happen, just make sure you keep a close eye on them. Your budgie sounds docile enough. We keep one bourke with 4 cockatiels and have no issues.

[TheFrantom]

Here is some info on keeping bourkes: Bourkes make lovely pets!

Either a male or a female bourke make a great pet --but in their own cage. There are all sorts of color mutuations, but the easiest to find are the normals (brown with pink breasts) and the roseys (mostly pink with brown wing tips). I think they are the best well kept secret in birddom! They can be kept with canaries and finches usually, but not with budgies. The budgie will be the trouble-maker in the bunch. Bourkes make little boinky twittery sounds, are not noisey, don't talk but can pick up whistles like a cockatiel (both males and females). They can live for around 15 years too. A very hardy bird. Feed them: l/3 each - cockatiel seed, canary seed, finch seed, & throw in a handful of flax and oil sunflower seed. They will eat pellets too. The only thing bad about them is that they are not too smart when it comes to finding their water bowls. Make sure you do not move their water container around the cage. I feed mine in heavy planters on the floor of their flight and I use tube waters or water bottles.

PS: If you ever see them sitting quiet with their eyes closed, RUN and check that they have enough seed and water. They must eat and drink continuously and need to have filled bowls at all times.

[birdymomma]

i just got some last week and i am completely taken by them...they are supposed to be breeders so not tame but i can pet them without them freaking out and i can stick my hand in the cage and they will land on me. I LOVE having them and the chirps are so sweet sounding

[amanda143]

Aww, so glad you like them! They are my favorite also :D