Grass parakeets
Grass
parakeets are native to the inland southern parts of Australia. They
are relatively
small parakeets, slightly bigger than a budgie at 18 to 21cm
There
are seven types of grass parakeet. Most common in aviculture
are
the Bourkes, Splendid, Turquoisine and Elegant. The other
three
types are the the Blue wing, Rock and Orange bellied. All are classed
neophema, although the bourkes parakeet has recently been reclassed as
neopsephotus.
I have kept Bourkes, Splendids and Turquoisines.
Grass
parakeets make excellent aviary birds, most are very friendly with each
other and
other bird species. Grass parakeets are also very quiet
birds, which for me is an essential requirement as I have a number of
neighbours within close proximity of my aviaries. The Bourkes, Splendid
and Turquoisine grass parakeets have now
become firmly established in aviculture, which has resulted in a number
of readily available colour mutations.
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Splendid
Neophema splendida
The
least hardy of the grass parakeets, particularly to damp.
Very friendly, inquisitive and lively.
Picture
shows a normal cock |
Turquoisine
Neophema
pulchella
Very
hardy.
Lively, fast flyers. Can be very aggresive with each other,
even pairs will squable. Ok to be housed with Bourkes.
Picture shows a red fronted cock |
Bourkes
Neopsephotus
bourkii
Very
hardy.
Placid and friendly. Most active at dusk and dawn.
Picture shows a Rosa cock |
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