Eastern Rosella

The Eastern Rosella, Platycercus eximius, is a striking bird with a vivid array of colours. It measures approximately 30 cm (12 inches) in length and is adorned with a red head and white cheeks. The beak is a pristine white, and the eyes are a deep brown. The bird's upper breast is a radiant red, transitioning to a yellow on the lower breast and fading into a pale green across the abdomen. The back and shoulders are covered in black feathers, each edged with yellowish or greenish margins, creating a scalloped effect. The wings and lateral tail feathers boast a bluish hue, while the tail itself is a dark green. The legs are a subtle grey. Sexual dimorphism is subtle, with the female being slightly duller and possessing an underwing stripe, which the adult male lacks. Juvenile Eastern Rosellas are more muted in colour and also display the underwing stripe.

Identification Tips

To identify the Eastern Rosella, look for the distinctive red head, white cheeks, and scalloped black feathers on the back. The male's vibrant plumage and absence of an underwing stripe can help differentiate it from the female. Juveniles can be recognized by their duller coloration and the presence of the underwing stripe.

Habitat

The Eastern Rosella favours lightly wooded areas, open forests, woodlands, as well as gardens, bushlands, and parks. It thrives in environments where trees and open spaces intermingle.

Distribution

This species is native to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. It has also been introduced to New Zealand, where it has established feral populations in the North Island and around Dunedin in the South Island.

Breeding

During the breeding season, a sign that Eastern Rosellas are ready to mate is the exchange of food between potential partners. Their nesting hollows are quite deep and located high up in trees, providing safety for their young. Eastern Rosellas are known to breed primarily in the spring, although they may also breed in the summer if conditions permit. They are capable of laying a clutch of two to nine eggs.

Similar Species

The Eastern Rosella can be confused with the Pale-headed Rosella, especially where their ranges overlap and hybridization occurs. However, the Eastern Rosella can be distinguished by its specific coloration and the larger white cheek patches of the Tasmanian subspecies.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Eastern Rosella is varied, consisting mainly of fruits, seeds, flowers, and insects, which they forage from the ground or among foliage.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List categorizes the Eastern Rosella as Least Concern, indicating that the species does not currently face a significant risk of extinction in the wild.