Passive collection of neighbor base station configuration information through handover messages is provided. In one embodiment, a base station comprises: a processor coupled to a memory, the base station coupled to a core network for a wireless network operator, the base station radiates downlink RF signals to at least one UE and receives uplink RF signals from the UE. The processor implements: a UE handover function that receives and processes a handover request message associated with a UE transferring to the cell from a neighboring cell; and a handover request parser that evaluates information elements in the handover request message to extract neighbor information. The handover request parser stores the extracted neighbor information as a set of neighbor information in the memory; and wherein the processor is configured to adjust operation of the base station based on the set of neighbor information stored in the memory.