Such a mutation should, of course, be sex-linked. In 1977 the German aviculturist and well known breeder of mutations, Siegfried Bischoff, suggested that the Rosy Bourke is really a cinnamon mutation in which the yellow pigments are replaced by reddish pigments. Prices averaged about $1,900 for the Rosies and nearly$1,500 for the splits. For years they were thought to be a recessive mutation and males and females were sold as splits. The genetic inheritance of the Rosy Bourke became the subject of great controversy among European aviculturists. These offsprings formed the nucleus of a beautiful new mutation: the Rosy Bourke. This pair produced four normal looking males and three hens which were covered with rosy feathers over their entire back. He had paired a newly acquired normal male with a hen which originated from his cinnamon stock. The first Rosy Bourkes appeared in the Dutch aviaries of Mr. Some blue remains on the rump and on the secondaries, but the blue frontal band on males as well as the intense blue of the underside of wings are missing. Only the tail, the primaries, and a few of the secondary wing feathers remain dark. Most color photos can't do justice to the soft rosy reds which cover almost the entire body. One of the newest mutations is the stunningly beautiful Rosy Bourke. May, 1977) and Erhart elaborated on the differences between the genetic inheritance of the sexlinked Cinnamon and the recessive-breeding Yellow Bourke (AFA Watch bird, Oct. Smith has already reported on the Yellow Bourke (AFA Watchbird, Apr. One other reason for the Bourke's continued popularity is the emergence of several attractive mutations. All Bourkes become very active when darkness approaches and they may still be feeding on the aviary floors when other birds have already retired for the night. It is also a very friendly and relaxed bird often acting more like birds which have been hand raised. Like other grass parakeets, the Bourke is a quiet and gentle bird, never destroying any part of your aviary. The males in particular are very showy specimens. It's colors may not rival those of many other parrots but the soft shades of blue, brown and red are indeed very attractive. The Bourke Parakeet still remains a very popular bird in our aviaries.