ROSELLA SPECIES

EASTERN ROSELLA\ COMMON ROSELLA

DESCRIPTION

12.2 inches (32cm). Bright red head, neck, shoulders and breast; not as brilliant in female. White cheek marks, in female dirty white. Yellow belly, greenish-yellow rump, green back edged in greenish-black. Tail green in centre, then blue, edged in white. Also white cheek and tail marks. Red feathers under the tail. Eyes brown, beak grey, legs dark brown. Im-matures achieve adult colouring 10 to 15 months after fledging.

NATURAL DISTRIBUTION

Eastern Rosella lives is Southeastern Australia and Tasmania; introduced to New Zealand.

HABITAT

Open grassy terrain spotted with trees and bushes, often near rivers. In large groups or pairs, follows civilization. Partial to ground, can damage cornfields and orchards.

DIET

Grass and weed seeds, wheat kernels, grain for large parrots, apples, carrots, green food.

SPECIAL NEEDS

Keep in pairs. Aviary at least 13 feet (4m) long. Provide bathing facilities. Tolerates frost.

CAGE LIFE

The Eastern Rosella has a loud voice, aggressive towards other birds. Excellent breeders and foster parents. Nests in tree hollows and rabbit burrows. Larvae of a moth species live in the nests and eat the faeces of the young. Lays 4 to 8 white eggs, incubation 20 to 22 days by female, male feeds young, fledging 33 to 35 days. Once independent, young should be separated from parents. Breeding possible after pair a year old.