Eastern Rosella

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Eastern Rosella - Bob Winters | Eastern Rosella - The State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries/McCann | Eastern Rosella - The State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries/McCann | Eastern Rosella - Bob Winters

Platycercus eximius

The male has a bright scarlet head and chest with white cheeks, yellow back with black markings, blue shoulders, yellow and pale green underparts and red under tail-coverts. The female is duller with a patchy green yellow head and nape. Size 29-34 cm.

Details
Type
Bird
Group
Animals
Parrot
Other Common Names
White-cheeked Rosella
Biology

Breeds August-February. Eggs are laid in a eucalypt hollow, stump or fence post. Pairs mate for life. The femaie incubates the eggs, being regularly fed by the male.

Distinctive Markings

This parrot may be distinguished by its red head and white cheek patches.

Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Psittaciformes
Family
Psittacidae
Genus
Platycercus
Species
eximius
South-eastern Australia and Tasmania.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

A very vividly colored parrot, however when feeding on the ground or in foliage the patterned plumage camouflages well.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Omnivore, feeds on the ground and in trees and shrubs. Eats seeds, fruits, flowers, buds, nectar and insects.

Habitat

Grasslands, open grassy forests, woodlands, timbered watercourses, farmland, roadsides, parks and gardens.

Native Status
Native to Australia
Audio
Audio samples
Sounds
A brisk "pink-pink", ringing "pee-p-peeee" and brisk chattering within groups.