Breeding Neophemas

These Australian grass parakeets are ideal choices for a communal aviary.

By Bill Naylor

The 300 or so members of the parrot family have a uniformity that is unmistakable. But there is also sufficient diversity within the family to suit every bird keeper's individual preferences. At one end of the spectrum we have the big, loud extroverted macaws and cockatoos; at the other end we have the gentle-natured, soft-voiced grass parakeets.

B. Everett Webb

Splendid parakeets are the most colorful of the Neophemas. A nest box size suitable for all Neophemas is ideally 12 inches deep by 8 inches wide.

Many bird keepers who keep a communal aviary housing finches or canaries and would like to include some small parrots into that group are often unsure which birds to choose. Budgerigars or lovebirds are often thought to be the obvious choice, but their aggressive behaviors would make them unsuitable aviary companions. Single parakeets are sometimes housed with finches, and although probably frowned upon by the purist bird keeper, it is very often a success.

The rule of thumb to remember with all parrots is that individuals can often be housed in a communal aviary with other parrot-like birds or finches. But if pairs are housed in a mixed aviary, aggression will erupt and fighting will break out. A good example of this can be found with golden-mantled rosellas. Individuals can be kept singly with finches or with other single individual parakeets. When paired up however, they become so aggressive to other birds, that they will even attack and inflict injuries to birds in adjoining aviaries. This is so common that double wiring is the accepted precaution when housing pairs of these birds.

A group of parrots that can be housed in pairs safely with finches or small softbills are the Australian grass parakeets of the genus Neophema. To the owner of a mixed aviary of finches, these birds can offer the diversity of color and character, that only parrots possess, and as a bonus they will also breed readily.

Bourke's Parakeets

Probably the best known of the Neophemas is the Bourke's parakeet N. bourkii). With its gentle nature, this is the traditional choice highly recommended for inclusion in a communal aviary. Bourke's will breed usually at the beginning of the year in a nest box, ideally 12 inches deep by 8 inches wide (a nest box size suitable for all Neophemas).

The female sits extremely tight when she is incubating for 18 days. When immature Bourke's leave the nest, like all grass parakeets, they are nervous and will fly about wildly, taking them some time to comprehend the confines of the aviary. As a precaution, small fir branches can be lodged in the wire of the ceiling and either side of the flight to emphasize the aviary's shape and thus avoid injury.

Bourke's are crepuscular by nature, so their favorite time is when the sun goes down. The males can often be heard singing a soft musical song in the dark. One of the attractions of Neophemas is their pleasant and often tuneful vocal sounds. None of them are intrusive to the ear.

Unlike other parrots, they are also not as destructive to shrubs and other aviary plants. They will, as they do in the wild, spend a great deal of time on the ground feeding. Seed sowed in the aviary and allowed to germinate will be much appreciated.

Elegant Grass Parakeet The elegant grass parakeet (N. elegans) is another placid species in the group that is perhaps not quite as active as other members of the genus. But it is an amiable and attractive aviary companion with a predominantly grass-green coloration. Elegant parents care for their young long after they have left the nest.

Turquoisine Grass Parakeet

Turquoisine Grass parakeets (N. pulchella) are attractive birds predominantly light blue on the head and wings with a bright yellow coloration underneath on the chest and undertail flights. The male has a prominent red wing band. Turquoisines are probably the most excitable of the grass parakeets. The adult male will not tolerate his male offspring when they molt into adult plumage, which occurs when they are a few months old. Consequently, it is advisable to house them elsewhere.

Splendid/Scarlet Chest

The splendid, or scarlet-chested, grass parakeet (N. splendida) is the most colorful of the Neophemas. They are described by some authors as one of the most beautiful bird species in the world. It has many similarities to the turquoisine, except the male has blood red on the crop and chest area. The song is also very similar.

Blue Wing

The blue-winged grass parakeet (N. chrysostoma) is similar to the elegant grass parakeet but has blue on the butt of the wings, and yellow and blue above the cere. It is not as widely kept as the preceding species, but is a friendly, easily cared for species that is highly recommended for a communal aviary.

Neophema Diet

The recommended diet for Neophemas is mixed canary seed, millet, hemp and a lesser amount of sunflower seed. Some birds will eat more sunflower than others and the mixture will have to modified accordingly. A vitamin and mineral supplement should also be included.

Millet sprays are appreciated, but they are fattening, so they should only be offered infrequently. Sprouted seed, apple and greenstuff are all appreciated. Some individuals will eat mealworms, which should be encouraged because of their protein content.

Breeding Behavior

Neophemas have no problems coming into breeding condition, and some species are easily excited. For this reason, I prefer not feed too much hemp, because of its stimulative properties.

As mentioned, all Neophemas are eager to breed, often producing two clutches, which should be the absolute maximum. Fertile eggs can be fostered under lovebirds. Females will sometimes breed when they are a year old, but I think this is too much of a strain. I prefer to wait until the second year.

The males will sometimes harass the hens during the breeding season, and care should be taken to see that she is not bullied.

Grass parakeets have been bred for successive generations in this country and are hardy. However, aviary shelters should be damp-proofed, and in really cold areas a little heat could be given in winter.

Potential Ailment

Neophemas sometimes develop conjunctivitis. But this is often the result of birds being confined in cages, or in transit, where there are dirty perches. The birds wipe their eyes on the perch, which is covered in hardened droppings. An abrasion then develops into an infection. Bathing regularly with boracic acid will usually clear this up, but it needs swift attention. Consult an avian veterinarian for specific instructions.

All species within the genus will interbreed with each other. Because of the varied coloration within the group, there is much scope for breeding color variations. Many have already been achieved. Rosa Bourke's are one example. However, because of the commitment to conservation that all bird keepers should have, the natural species should be preserved first and foremost.

I like to think that Neophema parakeets are desirable aviary inhabitants, because of the qualities that first endeared them to early Australian naturalists. Their gentle nature, flashes of color and sweet voices are the same qualities that will be appreciated by any bird keeper who includes them in his or her collection.

Bill Naylor has worked with birds professionally for 30 years in the United Kingdom and Australia. He also contributes to journals and magazines on birds and natural history in the United Kingdom.