Northern Rosella

The Northern Rosella, known scientifically as Platycercus venustus, is a parrot of striking appearance native to the northern regions of Australia. It is characterized by a dark head and neck, with contrasting pale cheeks—white in the Northern Territory subspecies and blue in the Western Australian subspecies hillii. The bird's mantle and scapulars are adorned with black and fine yellow scallops, while the back, rump, and underparts are a soft pale yellow with delicate black scallops. The tail is a blue-green hue, and the wings are a combination of black and blue-violet. Both sexes exhibit similar plumage, though females and younger birds may appear somewhat duller and occasionally display spots of red.

Identification Tips

To identify the Northern Rosella, look for its unique coloration: a dark head and neck with pale cheeks, a black mantle with yellow scallops, and pale yellow underparts with black scallops. The long blue-green tail and black and blue-violet wings are also distinctive. The bird's beak is off-white with a grey cere, and the legs and feet are grey. The iris is dark brown.

Habitat

The Northern Rosella inhabits grassy open forests and woodlands, including deciduous eucalypt savanna woodlands. It is often found near small creeks, gorges, sandstone outcrops, escarpments, and forested offshore islands. It occasionally ventures into mangroves or urban green spaces.

Distribution

This species ranges from the Gulf of Carpentaria and Arnhem Land to the Kimberley. Its presence spans across the Kimberley, Northern Territory, and into western Queensland as far as the Nicholson River.

Behaviour

The Northern Rosella is typically seen alone or in pairs, though it may form small groups. It is a shy bird that retreats to the upper canopy when disturbed. Its calls include a sharp chit-chut in flight and a three-note whistle while perched.

Song & Calls

The Northern Rosella's vocalizations are less studied than other rosellas. It emits a sharp chit-chut contact call in flight and a three-note ascending whistle when perched. Soft chattering may be heard while feeding or during early breeding season squabbles.

Breeding

Breeding takes place in tree hollows during the Southern Hemisphere winter. Clutches consist of two to five white eggs, incubated by the female for about 19 to 20 days. Chicks are nidicolous and remain in the nest for seven weeks post-hatching, with both parents providing care.

Diet and Feeding

The Northern Rosella is predominantly herbivorous, feeding on seeds of grasses, eucalypts, wattles, and cypress, as well as nectar, flowers, and fruit. It also consumes larval and adult insects.

Conservation status

The Northern Rosella is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population and no significant decline observed. However, it is an uncommon species, and its numbers may be affected by livestock grazing and frequent burning of grassy woodlands.

Aviculture

In captivity, the Northern Rosella is appreciated for its attractive plumage. Breeding in captivity has been successful, with some adjustments for climate differences in the Northern Hemisphere.