The Five Popular trilling notes. The flight is fast with birds like to bathe regularly. short wing beats, that are interspersed Bourke's Parrots should be given a Australian Grass with short rest pauses, making a some­ choice of two or three nestboxes. You what fluctuating flight path. should place a layer of damp sawdust Parakeets The birds nest in the hollow limbs of or peatmoss in the base. When the (An Overview) shortish trees. The hen lays 4-5 white, young hatch, you must inspect the nest by Matthew M. Vriends, PhD. roundish eggs, one approximately at weekly intervals and remove excess -- Rocky Point, New York every 48 hours. The eggs usually rest on droppings as the hen is not particularly a bed of wood pulp. The incubation "houseproud." In general, Bourke's Bourke's Parrot period is 19 days and the young leave Parrots make good parents and can also Neophema bourkii the nest four weeks after hatching. They be used to foster the young of other Natural Range: The inland of are fed by the parent birds for a further species. There are a few mutations, southern and central Australia. two weeks after fledging. Breeding sea­ including isabel, cinnamon, yellow, red Synonyms: Neopsepbotus bourkii sons vary, depending on favorable rain­ varieties, and a sex-linked lutino. pallida, Eupbema bourkii. (Neophema: fall and the resulting flush of food The first breeding results reported Neos = new, pheme = voice; bourkii = plants. During the breeding period, the were in 1875 by the Dutchman de after Sir Richard Bourke, a former cock stays close to the nest and feeds Comely; a year later by Kessels in Governor of New South Wales.) the hen regularly. The hen leaves the Uccle in Belgium, then by Russ in Genera 1: After their discovery in nest only for occasional short periods to Germany and Gedney in England. 1835, and observations in New South eat and drink. Today, they are bred regularly and in Wales at the beginning of 1900, it The species first arrived in Europe such color varieties that they can be became apparent that this species was in 1867 at the London Zoo, .but speci­ regarded as almost domesticated. gradually becoming scarcer, and after mens were soon to be seen in other It is strange that to date no cross the second world war it was consid­ parts of the continent. Newly arrived breeding with a Bourke's Parrot has ered by some that the species had birds were somewhat tender, but they occurred. The crossing mentioned by become extinct in the wild. Although soon became acclimatized to the Annie P. Gray in her book Bird there were fairly large numbers of the extent that they could be kept in out­ Hybrids (between a cock Budgerigar birds in the aviaries of fanciers in side aviaries with a night shelter. and a hen Bourke's) is highly unlikely. Europe and Australia, the wild birds The Bourke's Parrot is one of the Bourke's Parrot is actually so differ­ had become really endangered and most endearing and attractive aviary ent in color pattern from other mem­ the relatively few remaining lived only birds that will live quite amicably bers of the genus Neophema, that is in the dry, almost uninhabited regions together with other species. However, would perhaps be better to give it its of the interior. During the lengthier dry if you wish to breed numbers of them, own genus - perhaps Neopsepbotus, as spells in various parts, the birds would it is best to house each pair separate- it was formerly called. disappear, only to tum up again when ly. They are very mobile birds that Splendid Grass Parakeet conditions improved. During the last need plenty of flying space. It is good Neophema splendida few decades the status of wild to have grass and other plants grow­ Bourke's Parrots has improved greatly ing on the floor of out-side aviaries, so Natural Range: The interior of and they have extended their range that the birds can forage naturally. It South Australia west-wards, almost to the coast. will be necessary to cultivate the earth Synonyms: Eupbema splendida, During the day, the birds rest in the floor at regular intervals. To provide Neopbema splendida balll. (splendida sparsely foliaged trees, foraging only in the necessary shade, a Polygonum or = splendid). the mornings and evenings, sometimes similar climbing plant can be grown General: Splendid Grass Parakeets among the acacias, sometimes on the over the aviary. inhabit areas where spinifex grass and ground, searching for the seeds, buds The seed mixture should consist of Eucalyptus trees grow among other and leaves of grasses and broad-leaved two parts canary and millet seeds, and thick scrub. After the discovery of plants. Scarcely before the sun has set, one part rolled oats, plus a small these birds by John Gould in 1840, no they fly to their drinking places and amount of sunflower seeds and hemp. more was heard about them until their may not go to roost until 10 P.M. Long In the breeding season, seeding grass­ sudden rediscovery in 1941 in Western before the sun rises they may also go es, germinating millet sprays, and ade­ Australia, where they had previously to water. On the ground they walk quate green food must be given. Soft not been seen. Later, large numbers of quickly and easily, for seemingly long food consisting of soaked bread and these beautiful birds were seen in distances. They are not particularly shy hard-boiled egg should also be given, southeastern Western Australia, and and can be approached fairly closely. but apples are not always accepted. they soon colonized gardens and When they finally take to the wing, Some birds show a preference for par­ parks in the towns and settlements. they land again after a short distance ticular food items, while others will The birds -live a fairly nomadic exis­ either on the ground or in a tree or ignore them. River sand, grit, cuttlefish, tence which is indicated by their sud­ shrub. During the flight they utter and minerals must be available. The den appearances and disappearances. the afa WATeHBIRD 45 The birds spend the greater part of 8 N the day on the ground, where they .~~...... g, Q) seek the seeds of grasses and other (5 C <1l plants. When alarmed, they creep off (J) Q) through the brush before making for a £ '0 tree or shrub from where they can ~ Q) 1:: appraise the situation. When they final­ ::::lo () o ly fly off, the flight is rapid, with short "0 ..c wing beats, and turning and gliding at 0... regular intervals. During the flight they utter a loud, trilling call. They use hollow limbs in which to rear their families, the hen laying 3-5 white, roundish eggs. The hen incu­ 'bates for 20 days and the young stay in the nest for four weeks. It seems that the frrst Splendids came to England in 1872. Successful captive breeding results, however, were first reported by Harvey in Adelaide in 1932. Year in year out, he reared 2-3 clutches per season and in 1934 the King of England received a pair. At the Keston Bird Farm, in 1934 a number of young were reared by Bourke's Parrots, Turquoisines, and even lovebirds. It was strange that the birds started to breed and then suddenly altogether quit their responsibilities. A pair of Splendids should be housed in a separate aviary with a choice of two nest boxes. It is recommended that a part of the aviary floor is planted with grass and that a regular ration of willow Beautiful Australian Grass Parakeets. A mak Turquoisine above and a pair of Scarkt-chested Parakeets below.

46 Marchi April 2000 twigs is given, to keep the birds busy. It present century the Turquoisine Grass fanciers for a breeding project. seems that the hen may use a few wil­ Parakeet was scarcely seen in its par­ Practically all of taday's aviary popula­ low leaves to line the nest. A mixture of ticular habitat and was soon added to tions of this species have arisen from canary seed, millets, sunflower seeds, the list of endangered or already those birds. and rolled oats will form the staple diet, extinct species. Today, they are Newly imported birds were rather which should be supplemented with observed much more often, either in tender, but were carefully acclima­ seeding grasses and green food. During single pairs or in small groups. They tized. Later on they became quite the breeding period they should be prefer to stay in open woodland, grass­ hardy and could be kept in outdoor given milk-soaked bread, mixed with land, and among riverine trees. They aviaries all year, provided they had hardboiled egg. Germinated seeds can forage for food only in the early morn­ access to a well insulated night shelter. be good but pose a danger in that they ing and late afternoon, spending the A layer of moist peat, covered with soon go moldy. rest of the day in a shady spot in a tree some wood pulp should be placed in In Australia, Jean Delacour discov­ or shrub. They also never go to the the floor of the nestboxes. As the cock ered a blue mutation in the Adelaide waterholes during the day but, like the bird is very aggressive, single pairs of Zoo. Other fanciers also bred them Bourke's Parrot, they drink early in the this species should be kept alone. The and in 1960 some were sent to morning or late in the evening. hen begins to incubate after the third England. The green parts of these birds They seek their food (seeds of grass egg and sits very tightly, sometimes stay­ have been replaced with bluish-gray and herbaceous plants plus buds and ing put even during a nest inspection. and the yellow with pale cream. The leaves) on the ground. They keep out of Toward fledging time, it is wise to red breast patch of the cock has the bright sun as much as they can. place some nylon mesh or some leafy become more orange red. This variety They are shy and difficult to approach. twigs in front of the aviary wire, as the is now common in aviaries throughout As they fly off they utter a soft, repeat­ young tend to fly around wildly and Europe. Although Splendid Grass ed, fluting call. The flight is rapid, and could possibly injure themselves. Once Parakeets cannot tolerate damp, cold undulating due to tht; short glides they are used to the aviary, after a few weather, they will do well in an out­ between the spells of rapid wing-beat­ days, the mesh and/or twigs can be door aviary all year round as long as ing. During recent years, Turquoisine removed. they have access to a dry, draft-proof Grass Parakeets have been seen more As the hen often likes to start a new shelter. It is strongly recommended frequently close to settlements, where brood as soon as the last young have that the birds are shut into the night they forage for food in agricultural areas. fledged, the nestbox should be shelter at night and that a little warmth They breed in thick hollow limbs of promptly cleaned. The aggressive cock is provided during very cold periods. Eucalyptus trees, at varying heights, parent will worry his sons and they Occasionally there are puzzling sometimes just above the ground in a must be removed before he injures or reports that perfectly healthy looking fallen tree. The 4-6 eggs are laid on a even kills them. He does not worry the birds drop dead, or that a fancier bed of damp wood-pulp and are incu­ hens, so this is one good way of dis­ breeding his birds indoors has done all bated for 18 days. The hen alone feeds tinguishing the sexes. The young the right things and finds that the the hatchlings for the first four days, males can be placed in a wire cage in fledglings drop dead one after another. after which the cock helps to feed the night shelter so that the parent In my opinion, it is not good to them. The young fledge after four cock can continue to feed them. keep Australian Parakeets indoors weeks but are fed for a further few You should ensure that the young exclusively; they have better chance of days by the parents before becoming are getting plenty to eat and as soon as acclimatizing when, for most of the fully independent. you are sure they can feed themselves year, they have access to a grassed Older cocks sometimes develop an independently, they can be removed outdoor aviary where they can forage orange red marking on the belly and to another aviary. Sometimes a third around in the fresh air and fmd all sorts thus resemble a Splendid Grass clutch will be attempted but as this is of greens, grit, and minerals which Parakeet. usually late in the year there is a they would not find indoors. Turquoisine Grass Parakeets were chance that the young will find it diffi­ to be found in English collections cult to survive the winter and will, in Turquoisine Grass Parakeet already by 1850, and they soon made any case, need to be coddled indoors Neopbema pulcbella their way onto the continent of until at least the following April. Europe. Breeding successes became so Like the Splendids, Turquoisines Natural Range: Sparsely distrib­ common that they were no longer a become quite tame and will hang on uted along and adjacent to the ranges novelty. In spite of these successes, the aviary wire begging for a piece of throughout southeastern Australia from however, wild birds in Australia apple or similar treat. In the wild they Maryborough (Queensland) to northern became increasingly scarce and even eat the seeds of chickweed (Stellarla Victoria. aviary specimens were hard to come media), stinging nettles (Urlica urens), Synonyms: Psittacus pu/Chelius, by in that country. In 1925 a number and saffron thistles (Carthamus Euphema pulche//a (pulchella =pretty) were collected from the wild and species). Such plants can thus be culti­ General: At the beginnings of the shared out among a number of vated in a comer of the aviary.

the afa WATCHBIRD 47 Elegant Grass Parakeet ered with a layer of wood pulp. The ing the cock stays nearby; she leaves Neophema elegans hen may accept this but in some cases the nest at regular intervals to be fed will throw it all out before beginning by him. The incubation time is 19-20 Natural Range: Southeastern and to lay! The birds are very hardy and days. The cock helps to feed the southern Australia. can be kept in an outdoor aviary sum­ young when they are a few days old. Synonyms: Nanodes elegans, mer and winter, but are best locked They leave the nest about four weeks Euphema elegans. (elegans = elegant). into the shelter during excessively after hatching and soon become inde­ General: On the grassy plains, in frosty periods. pendent. open woodland, along wooded water Canary seed mixed with millet, sun­ The fact that the cocks sometimes courses, and in the high heathland, flower seeds, and a little hemp forms have an orange patch on the lower these parakeets occur in pairs or in the main part of the diet. This should breast led Forshaw to think that this small groups. They spend much of their be supplemented with seeding grasses occurs only in older birds, but time foraging on the ground, searching and greenfood (which mayor may not Immelmann believes it to be a form of for seeds among the grass and broad­ be accepted). "breeding dress" that disappears again leaved plants. They are shy and cau­ after the breeding season. The birds tious, and fly off at the slightest distur­ Blue-winged Grass Parakeet migrate into the interior after breeding bance, only to settle in a tree, or on a Neophema chrystostomus and may sometimes be found in the fence post or telegraph pole some dis­ company of Orange-bellied Parakeets, tance away. The flight is rapid and Natural Range: Southeastern Neophema chrysogaster. It is difficult to undulating with much swerving and Australia, King Island, and Tasmania. make accurate observations when the turning. During the flight the birds utter Synonyms: Psittacus chrysostomus, birds are in flight, and further research a soft, somewhat lamenting, fluting Neonanodes chrysostomus tasmanica, will be required before we can reach a tone. The birds are nomadic in habit Euphema venusta. (chrysostomus: concrete conclusion. and follow the supplies of food. chrysos = golden, stoma = mouth.) Unlike many other parakeet Thanks to the wholesale deforesta­ General: As with the Elegant Grass species, these docile birds, remark­ tion of many areas, the habitat of this Parakeet, this species has benefited ably, rarely squabble among them­ species has been enlarged (they do not from the deforestation of vast areas of selves, even when in large groups. occur in thickly wooded areas) and its Australia and the installation of agri­ The migratory movements occur at status seems to have improved (it is culture, which has resulted in a popu­ night. Neunzig reported that Blue­ only a shame that the status of other lation explosion that makes this one of winged Grass Parakeets were to be species has declined for similar rea­ the most abundant parakeets, espe­ seen in the Berlin Zoo in 1874 and, in sons). Today the birds are quite abun­ cially in Tasmania. They have quickly 1879, they were bred in France. For a dant among the agricultural lands acclimated to the environment and time thereafter they were rarely within their range, especially where only avoid thickly wooded areas. At imported but breeding has become clover crops are grown. In addition to one time, these birds spent only the quite commonplace during the last 60 native. grass seeds, the seeds of many summer months in Tasmania and years. introduced and cultivated plants are southern Australia, but today many One remarkable breeding result eaten. While foraging for food among birds overwinter in these parts. occurred when, in 1922, a fancier in the tall grass and weeds, they keep in However, many of the birds still Tasmania sent 32 eggs to his friend, a touch with a frequent, soft contact call. migrate into the interior of the conti­ Russian professor, in the city of Tomsk The Elegant Grass Parakeet nests in nent for the winter. Like the other (Siberia). The eggs took seven weeks a hollow limb or trunk. The hen lays 4- Neophema species, these birds forage to reach their destination, when they 5 white, roundish eggs which hatch for food mainly on the ground and were placed in an incubator. Twenty after about 18 days. In 1862, the first they eat a wide range of grass and one of the eggs hatched and the young specimens arrived at the London Zoo, herbaceous plant seeds both native were hand reared. These youngsters and breeding results were recorded and introduced. They are more fond were bred in the following years and shortly afterwards. Soon they were to of fruit than is the Elegant Grass there were reports of four broods per be seen in aviaries all over Europe and Parakeet and are thus frequently seen annum with eight eggs per clutch. today they are bred in large numbers. in orchards and plantations when the Moreover, eight different color muta­ One characteristic of this species is that fruit is ripe. They also feed on cultivat­ tions were developed over a period of only three, rarely four young are usual­ ed grains and can cause serious da~­ 10 years. One may tend to take this ly raised from the four or five eggs laid. age to crops in some areas. report (from the Avicultural Magazine Infertile eggs are also not uncommon. The flight is rapid, undulating and in 1938) with a pinch of salt when one With good weather conditions, two erratic. Nesting takes place in a hol­ considers the much poorer results nor­ broods per season are not unusual. low trunk or limb at varying heights, mally attained with these birds. But It is important that the bottom of the sometimes near the ground in a fallen such results may not be entirely out of nest box remains moist and this can be log. The 4-6 eggs are laid on a layer of the question as aviculture becomes done with a layer of damp peat, cov- wood pulp. While the hen is incubat- more scientifically oriented. ~

48 MarchiApril 2000