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Green Rosella

Did you know?

The Green Rosella is Australia's largest rosella and occurs only in Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands.

Calls
Often call in flight with a distinctive 'kzink' or 'krissk'. They also have a very high ringing call, with the second note highest, and harsh, typical rosella chattering.
Facts and Figures
Research Species: 
No
Minimum Size: 
29cm
Maximum Size: 
36cm
Average size: 
32cm
Average weight: 
140g
Breeding season: 
September to February
Clutch Size: 
4 to 8
Incubation: 
22 days
Nestling Period: 
35 days
Conservation Status
Federal: 
Secure
NSW: 
Not present
NT: 
Not present
QLD: 
Not present
SA: 
Not present
TAS: 
Secure
VIC: 
Secure
WA: 
Secure
Basic Information
Scientific Name: 
Platycercus caledonicus
Featured bird groups: 
Parrots
Atlas Number: 
285
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

The Green Rosella may cause damage to apple orchards and, though protected, may be controlled under a licence system.

References: 
Australian Birds: Their Nests and Eggs.
Field guide to Australian Birds.
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 4 {(Parrots} to Dollarbird)
Parrots and Pigeons of Australia
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