crimson rosella
Classification:Common name.
Crimson rosella
Scientific name.
Platycercus elegans
Kingdom.
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order.
Psittaciformes
Family.
Psittaculidae
Genus
Platycercus
Specie
P. elegans
Appearance:The form it is named for has mostly crimson (red) plumage and bright blue cheeks. 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 It has a red head, neck and breast, with yellowish to greenish upper parts,
Breeding behaviours
The Crimson Rosella’s nest is a tree hollow, located high in a tree, and lined with wood shavings
and dust. The female alone incubates the white eggs, but both sexes care for the young. The
chicks remain dependent on their parents for a further 35 days after leaving the nest. Crimson
rosellas will breed from early spring through til summer. Breeding should be discouraged during
particularly hot and cold weather Larger nest boxes—between 1.5 and 2 feet deep—are
generally preferred.
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.
Habitat
The crimson rosella is a parrot native to eastern and south eastern Australia which has been
introduced to New Zealand and Norfolk Island. It is commonly found in, but not restricted to,
mountain forests and gardens.
Conservative status
Least concern ( population decreasing)