In the wild, Bourke's parakeets display an overall brown colouration with a pink abdomen, pinkish breast and a blue rump.

[6] The name of the Bourke's parrot comes from Sir Thomas L. Mitchell, who spotted the bird in New South Wales in 1835.

[7] Mitchell named the species after Sir Richard Bourke, the governor of the state at the time.

This was done because of a lack of evidence that the parrot could hybridize with the rest of the Neophema genus; they are different in colouration and live a nomadic lifestyle throughout the arid regions of Australia.

[10] The Bourke's parrot's main habitat consists of areas dominated by Acacia species, particularly mulga, and spinifex plains.

The Bourke's parrot has been described as both arboreal and terrestrial; it perches and nests in trees, but also frequently lives on the ground where it can easily camouflage.

[6] In the wild the Bourke's parrot tends to live in pairs or small groups, ranging from approximately four to six.

[14] Bourke's parrots forage on the ground and in bushes for grasses and seeds, most active feeding at dusk and dawn.

Due to their peaceful nature, Bourke's parrots may be kept in captivity with a number of other species including finches, doves and other small parakeets.

[15] There are few documented mutations found in captive Bourke's parrots; such as yellow, Isabel, fallow and pink or rosa.

[17] The rosa mutation is particularly common in aviculture, lending to the popular name "Rosy Bourke".