How to Care for a Rosella Parakeet

Native to Australia, Rosella parakeets can be taken care of easily. As pets, they don't require any more maintenance than the average pet bird. Although they can be very aggressive to other birds, including their own young, these small birds can be tamed with gentle touches and quality time spent with their owners. Caring for these type of birds requires patience when it comes to their temperament, but the beauty and joy they can add to your living environment may be worth it in the long run.

Things You'll Need

  • Class 1 Bird Keeper License or Companion Bird License
  • Long flight or medium-sized acrylic bird cage
  • Mix of canary and cockatiel bird seed or regular parakeet food
  • Fresh water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Obtain a Class 1 Bird Keeper License or Companion Bird License from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. You must have this license prior to purchasing or trading the following Rosella parakeets: Green Rosella, Tasmanian Rosella, Crimson Rosella, Mountain Lowrie, Northern Rosella and Smutty Rosella. Visit the NPWS Office of Environment and Heritage website and download the Bird License Application Form. Complete the form and submit it online or by mail.

    • 2

      Provide the parakeet with comfortable housing. According to Singing Wings Aviary, long flight cages and aviary settings are the best type of habitat for Rosella parakeets. If neither of these is available, a medium-sized acrylic bird cage that allows for food, water, urine and fecal matter to be easily cleaned up and removed, and ample time for the parakeet to fly around outside of its cage (in a secure setting), is ideal.

    • 3

      Supply a mix of canary and cockatiel bird seed or regular parakeet food along with a bowl of fresh drinking water on a daily basis. Rosella parakeets can also be fed fruit and vegetables such as diced apples, orange slices, sweet potatoes and cucumber chunks.

    • 4

      Physically handle the parakeet daily. Hold the Rosella in your hands and allow it to perch on your shoulder often, to help reduce the level of aggression the bird naturally has towards others.