Factsheets: Crimson Rosella (original) (raw)

Crimson Rosella
Image from: John Gould (1804-81) The birds of Australia 1840-48. 7 vols. 600 plates Artists: J. Gould and E. Gould; Lithographer: E. Gould.
Crimson Rosella
Crimson Rosella. Photo: R Major © Australian Museum

Platycercus elegans

Description

There are several colour forms of the Crimson Rosella. The mostly crimson plumage and bright blue cheeks easily identify the one from which it receives its name. The feathers of the back and wing coverts are black broadly edged with red. The flight feathers of the wings have broad blue edges and the tail is blue above and pale blue below and on the outer feathers. The birds measure about 32cm - 36cm, with individuals from northern Queensland smaller and darker than southern birds. The 'Yellow Rosella' has the crimson areas replaced with light yellow and the tail more greenish. The 'Adelaide Rosella' is intermediate in colour, ranging from yellow with a reddish wash to dark orange. Otherwise, the forms are similar in pattern.

The Crimson Rosella has a range of calls, the commonest being a two-syllabled "cussik-cussik". It also has a range of harsh screeches and metallic whistles.

Young Crimson Rosellas have the characteristic blue cheeks, but the remainder of the body plumage is green-olive to yellowish olive (occasionally red in some areas). The young bird gradually attains the adult plumage over a period of 15 months.

Distribution and Habitat

There are several populations of the Crimson Rosella. Red (crimson) birds occur in northern Queensland, in southern Queensland to south-eastern South Australia and on Kangaroo Island. Orange birds are restricted to the Flinders Ranges region of South Australia, while yellow ones are found along the Murray, Murrumbidgee and neighbouring rivers (where yellow birds meet red birds they hybridise, producing orange offspring). Red birds have been introduced to Norfolk Island and New Zealand.

Common MynaCommon Myna head
Feathers (tail) of Crimson Rosella © Australian Museum

Throughout its range, the Crimson Rosella is commonly associated with tall eucalypt and wetter forests.

Food and Feeding

Crimson Rosellas are normally encountered in small flocks and are easily attracted to garden seed trays. Once familiar with humans, they will accept hand held food. Natural foods include seeds of eucalypts, grasses and shrubs, as well as insects and some tree blossoms.

Breeding

Crimson Rosellas breed mostly between September and January. The nest is a tree hollow, located high in a tree, and lined with wood shavings and dust. The female alone incubates the four to eight, normally five, white eggs, but both sexes care for the young. The chicks hatch after about 20 days, and, although they leave the nest after about 35 days, they remain dependent on their parents for a further 35 days. [egg link]

References