Rosella Parrots have six species and nine subspecies.
These amazing parrots from Australia are included in the “Platy Cercus” group which
has been recognized as broad-tailed or flat-tailed with similar physiognomies of
Rosellas and other parrots of “Broad-tailed” family. Rosella Parrots eat generally
seeds and fruits.
Size
Rosella is a medium-sized parrot with a typical
long tail. The standard size may be among 10 to 14½ inches (26 to 37 cm).
Description
The feathers on the backs of Rosella show a perfect
scalloping appearance with coloring that differs among the breed types. All
species have distinctive cheek covers. They have a little or no sexual
dimorphism. Males and females frequently have linked plumage, distinctly from western
Rosella. The juveniles of Blue-cheeked species and Western-Rosella have a distinctive
green plumage, while young plumage of White-cheeked species is just a cloudier diversity
of the adults.
Distribution and Habitat
Rosellas are innate to Australia and adjacent
islands, where they live in woods, forests, woodlands, and residential parks
and gardens. They are limited to the seaside mountains and plains and are
absent from the wilds. The familiarized populations have also been recognized
in New Zealand (particularly in “North Island” and in “North Dunedin”) and on “Norfolk
Island”.
Behavior and Ecology
Rosellas feed mostly on seeds and fruits. They like
bathing in pools of water in wilds and in the captivity. Rosellas graze their
heads with their foot behind the wing. Common grooming is not shown by the species,
and the dating spectacle is simple. The male surfs his tail oblique and involves
in some head bobbing, and the female responds.
Similar to various other parrots, they are
cavity nesters, usually nesting high in big trees in forested zones. They normally
have a clutch size of numerous eggs which are hatched for around 21 days by the
female only without help. The male nourishes the female over this period and
for some time after incubation accomplishes. Rapidly covered in a white down,
chicks take about 5 weeks to fledge.
Aviculture
The added colorful Rosellas are very prevalent
as pet parrots and also as coop birds. They can live for more than 20 years,
and they are comparatively easy to breed. All have a reputation for being hostile
in imprisonment and are therefore suggested be kept detached from other captive
birds. Their food in aviculture contains seeds, fruit (like apple, pear, and
grapes), and vegetable substance (like lettuce, grass, and silverbeet).
Rosella Species
Western Rosella
Western Rosella is the tiniest parrot about 26
cm (10 inches) long. The male is mostly red with yellow cheek-covers, green-rump,
and a dark-green tail. The female is cloudier, with a mostly green-head, fuchsia
forehead, yellow-cheeks, and multi-colored green-red underparts. The colors of
scalloped back quills vary concerning two subspecies. The bill of Western
Rosella is of white color and the irises are dark-brown.
Range: Western Rosella usually found in South-west Australia.
Crimson Rosella
Crimson Rosella has a total of 7 subspecies out
of which 3 are actually crimson. Crimson Rosella is typically 36 cm long in
size. The red is swapped by yellow in “Var. Flaveolus” group and a combination
of colors such as red, orange, and yellow in “Adelaide Rosella”.
Range: East and Southeast Australia
Green Rosella
Green Rosella is the largest parrot which is
usually 37 cm (15 inches) long in size. Green Rosella has a yellow head and blue
cheeks underparts and a red forward posse over the bill. The quills on the back and
internal wings are black with narrow-green borders at their tips. The external
wing quills are blue and green. Irises are dark-brown and the bill is light-grey.
Range: The breed normally found in Tasmania.
Pale-Headed Rosella
Pale-Headed Rosella is usually 30 cm long
parrot which has two subspecies. Typically enclosed in blue excluding upper
breast and head which are cream yellow. The tail of Pale-Headed Rosella is
blue-black & green, whereas the area nearby the vent is red.
Range: Pale-Headed Rosella is found in eastern Australia.
Eastern Rosella
Eastern Rosella is typically 30 cm (12 inches)
long parrot with red-head and white-cheeks. The upper breast of Eastern Rosella
is red whereas the lower breast is yellow declining to pale-green above the stomach.
The back and shoulders’ feathers are black with yellow or green borders giving
rise to a scalloped presence which differs marginally between 3 subspecies. The
wings and side tail quills are bluish-white whereas the tail is dark-green.
Range: Eastern Rosella is found in Australia and Tasmania, also introduced
in New Zealand where the wild populace is seen in most of North Island and the mountains
around “Dunedin” in South Island.
Northern Rosella
Northern Rosella is typically a 28 cm long
sized parrot with black brow, crown, and nape as well as white-on-blue cheek spots.
The rear and wing feathers are darker with yellow edges, whereas the quills of belly,
chest, and hindquarters are pale-yellow with black edges giving rise to a
scalloped look. The tail of Northern Rosella is bluish-green and the bill is
pale-grey.
Range: Northern Rosella is usually found from the “Gulf of Carpentaria” to
the “Kimberleys” in open grassland country “Australia”.
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