About Rosella Parrots

Rosella parrots are a group of colorful birds native to Australia. They are large birds that are commonly kept as pets and are sometimes illegally trapped in the wild for sale. In some areas these birds are considered to be an agricultural pest, and they used to be shot. In the early 21st century, however, they are a legally protected species.

  1. Description

    • Rosellas tend to be large birds of just over one foot in length, but size varies by species. Their coloration covers a wide range, but is generally bright and vibrant. The pale-headed rosella, for example, has shades of blue with patches of green and a red patch at the rump. Shades of bright yellow, red, blue and green are included in the plumage of most species. Their beaks are short and chunky and their bodies are generally robust.

    Habitat and Range

    • These colorful birds make their homes around the coastal regions of Australia rather than the arid interior of the country. Their ranges differ by species with some found in limited locales such as Tasmania, while others are widespread across large sections of the country. Rosellas live in a variety of forest habitats including rain forests and savanna woodlands. As a rule, the birds are never far from some form of open woodland area near a stream or river.

    Diet

    • Rosellas find their food either on the ground or directly from trees. A wide variety of seeds, fruits, buds and flowers make up the Rosella diet, including agricultural crops. To a lesser degree, some species also feed on small insects and larvae. Unlike some birds, most rosella parrot species tend to stay in one place and not follow food seasonally.

    Nesting Habits

    • Rosella parrots sometimes make nests in large hollows within trees that have wood dust at the bottom. Some species widen the hollow's opening by chewing the wood. Females generally choose the nesting site and are the sole incubator for the eggs. The male brings the female food as she nests and will also help to feed the chicks, once hatched. Clutch sizes tend to be more than 4 and sometimes up to 8 eggs depending on species.