Platycercus elegans  (Crimson Rosella)

Classification

Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Family:	Psittacidae

Geographic Range

Crimson Rosellas are can be found on the east coast and are widespread in southeastern
Australia. We will see them in southeastern Queensland at Lamington National Park.

Physical Characteristics

Length:

32 to 37 cm

The Crimson Rosella is a colorful broad-tailed parrot with distinctive blue cheek patches. Its body
is a deep red with a back that is speckled black. Its wings are a mixture of black and blue streaks with mottled black and red shoulders. The Crimson Rosella's long tail is deep blue and its beak is grayish white. Immature Crimson Rosellas are a dull olive green with a red cap and throat and the species' characteristic blue cheek patch, and could be confused with the King Parrot whose range is quite similar.

The Crimson Rosella's contact-call is a mellow ringing 'trip-klee' or slow bell-like 'klee
kleekeee'; in flight, raucous brassy clanging 'klee klee klee'.

There are two primary forms of the "blue-cheeked rosella" which interbreed: the one pictured here which occurs primarily along the south-east coast of Australia, and a yellow rosella whose range includes areas in South Australia.

Natural History

Food Habits

The Crimson Rosella feeds in foliage and edges of clearings on seeds and fruits. At O'Reilly's Guest House at Lamington National Park, you will be able to hand-feed them with bird seed and fruit.

Reproduction

Crimson Rosellas nest in tree hollows (usually high off the ground) and lay five to eight white, rounded eggs.

Behavior

Crimson Rosellas, especially the immatures, can be seen in large flocks of up to twenty individuals.

Habitat

Crimson Rosellas live in rainforests and other wet areas in spring and summer. In autumn and
winter they migrate to more open areas and can sometimes be seen in gardens.

Conservation/Biodiversity

Protected in New South Wales.

Economic Benefits for Humans

Positive

The major economic benefit is as an attraction to tourists who enjoy seeing these colorful birds in
a natural setting.

Comments

Feeding tips while at Lamington National Park: To avoid scratches and clawing, we suggest
wearing a long sleeved shirt and a hat while hand feeding these birds. We noticed an increase in their level of aggression as their population at Lamington rose from 1994 to 1996. They are greedy while being fed and can be aggressive to other "intruding" rosellas, but back off when the >King Parrots arrive.

Other rosellas that you may see while in Queensland are the Eastern Rosella and the Pale-headed
Rosella, both of which we saw on campus at Uni. Their yellow feathers make them easy to distinguish from the Crimson Rosella.

Image Source

Reference:	Brett Wood (H' 97)
Reference URL:	http://people.hws.edu/mitchell/oz/images96/WoodRosella.gif

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Entry Author:

Dianne and Dorothy Mitchell

William Smith College

2005