Green Rosella.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka © Bird Explorers
Green Rosella.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka © Bird Explorers
Green Rosella.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka © Bird Explorers
Distribution map of Platycercus caledonicus
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
Green Rosella
Scientific name: Platycercus caledonicus
Family: Psittacidae
Order: Psittaciformes
- Featured Bird Groups
- Parrots
What does it look like?
Description
The Green Rosella is Australia's largest rosella. It is a medium-sized parrot with a broad tail. The upperparts are dark, mottled green and black, in contrast with the yellow head, neck and underbody. When flying the bright yellow body is very obvious. There are distinct blue cheek patches, a red band across the forehead, and blue shoulder patches. Females are slightly duller, while juveniles are mainly green. Their flight is strong and swift with only slight undulations. Also called the Tasmanian Rosella, or Yellow-bellied, Mountain or Green Parrot.
Similar species
The similar but smaller Eastern Rosella, P. eximius, is the only other rosella in Tasmania and it has a mostly red head, neck and breast and a white cheek patch.
Where does it live?
Distribution
The Green Rosella is restricted to Tasmania and the Bass Straight islands.
Habitat
The Green Rosella prefers dense moist forests and savanna woodlands, but can be found in most Tasmanian habitats except treeless moorlands and cleared farmlands.Seasonal movements
Green Rosellas are mainly sedentary but may wander looking for food and water. Juveniles may gather in large flocks and wander over large areas.What does it do?
Feeding
The Green Rosella eats mainly the seeds of grasses, shrubs and trees; fruits, buds and flowers; nectar; insects and larvae. It feeds both on the ground and in trees. It is inconspicuous when feeding on the ground, but noisy and prominent when disturbed.Breeding
Breeding of the Green Rosella is not well known. They lay their eggs in a hollow of a trunk, limb or spout (broken dead limb) of a tree, usually an eucalypt. They may compete with Common Starlings for hollows. The nest hollow is lined with wood dust and the birds chew at the entrance to the hollow to widen it. The female may spend several weeks in the hollow before laying and she alone incubates, leaving the nest only to be fed by the male.Living with us
Living with humans
The Green Rosella may cause damage to apple orchards and, though protected, may be controlled under a licence system.
References
Crome, F. and Shields, J. 1992. Parrots and Pigeons of Australia. Angus and Robertson/National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife, Sydney.
Higgins, P.J. (ed) 1999. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 4 (Parrots to Dollarbird). Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
Morcombe, M. 2000. Field guide to Australian Birds. Steve Parish Publishing.
Beruldsen, G 2003. Australian Birds: Their Nests and Eggs. Self-published, Queensland.