Crimson rosella

Platycercus elegans

(Photo from Flickr)

Common name:

crimson rosella (en); rosela-carmim (pt); perruche de Pennant (fr); rosella roja (es); Pennantsittich (de)

Taxonomy:

Order Psittaciformes

Family Psittacidae

Range:

This species is native to eastern and south-eastern Australia and has been introduced to Norfolk Island and New Zealand.

Size:

The crimson rosella is 32-36 cm long and weighs 110-170 g.

Habitat:

This species is commonly associated with tall eucalypt and wetter forests, but also occurs in rainforests and suburban areas near forest.

Diet:

The crimson rosella forages in trees, bushes, and on the ground for the fruit, seeds, nectar, berries, and nuts of a wide variety of plants, namely Myrtaceae, Asteraceae and Rosaceae.

Breeding:

These birds breed in September-January. They nest is a tree hollow, located high in a tree, and lined with wood shavings and dust. There the female lays 4-8 white eggs which she incubates alone for about 20 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 35 days after hatching. They remain with the parents for another 5 weeks after fledging.

Conservation:

IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)

This species has a relatively large breeding range and is generally described as common to abundant. The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction.