Eastern Rosella, female at nest hole.
Photo: Purnell Collection © Australian Museum
Eastern Rosella.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka / Bird Explorers © K Vang and W Dabrowka / Bird Explorers
Eastern Rosella, male, at nest hole.
Photo: Purnell Collection © Australian Museum
Eastern Rosella female with nestling at nest.
Photo: SG Lane Collection © Australian Museum
Eastern Rosella.
Photo: K Vang and W Dabrowka / Bird Explorers © K Vang and W Dabrowka / Bird Explorers
Distribution map of Platycercus eximius
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
Eastern Rosella
Scientific name: Platycercus eximius
Family: Psittacidae
Order: Psittaciformes
- Featured Bird Groups
- Parrots
What does it look like?
Description
Eastern Rosellas are medium-sized colourful parrots with distinctive white cheek patches. It has a red head, neck and breast, with yellowish to greenish upper parts, a yellow underbody and a yellow-green to blue-green rump, with a red undertail. The shoulders are bright blue. Females are usually similar to males, but sometimes duller and young birds are even duller and can be aged by their bill colour, which is yellow or orange, changing to off-white when mature.
Similar species
The Eastern Rosella can be distinguished by its red head combined with white cheek patches. The similarly sized Pale-headed Rosella Platycercus adscitus has white cheek patches but has a pale yellow head.
Where does it live?
Distribution
The Eastern Rosella is found throughout south-eastern Australia, from Queensland to Victoria and south-eastern South Australia. Also found in eastern Tasmania. Has been introduced to New Zealand.
Habitat
The Eastern Rosella is found in open woodlands, grasslands, farmlands and remnant bushland. Often found in urban habitats such as parks, gardens and golf courses.
Seasonal movements
Sedentary.
What does it do?
Feeding
The Eastern Rosella mainly feeds on the ground, especially amongst grasses in lawns, pastures and other clearings. Also feeds in trees and bushes. Main dietary items include: seeds, fruits, buds, flowers, nectar and insects.
Breeding
Eastern Rosellas mate for life. The female chooses and prepares the nesting site, usually a hollow in a eucalypt tree (but will sometimes use a nest-box or other artificial site). Eggs are laid on a decayed wood bed and the female incubates the eggs while the male regularly feeds her. The young may be fed for a while after they fledge.
Living with us
Living with humans
Eastern Rosellas may damage fruit and other crops, and have been trapped for the aviculture trade in large numbers. Compete with introduced birds, e.g. Common Starlings, for suitable nest hollows, and are sometimes caught by domestic pets.
References
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.