AUSTRALIAN SPECIALISTS!

 
Eastern Rosella

    The rosellas all fall into the genus Platycercus; within this genus there are 9 species that fall into three groups which are easily distinguished by the color of their cheek patches.  The white cheek patches on the eastern rosella (above) are shared by two other species, the pale-headed rosella (often called blue rosella or mealy rosella) and the Northern rosella (sometimes called Brown's rosella).  The second group of rosellas includes 4 species, all of which have violet blue cheek patches: green rosella, yellow rosella, crimson rosella (also called penant rosella) and Adelaide rosella.  The last group has only one species, the Western (or Stanley) rosella, distinguished by yellow cheek patches.  The Western rosella is also unique in that it is sexually dimorphic, whereas all other rosellas are very difficult to sex without using DNA analysis.  The blue cheeked rosellas are the largest of the rosellas, followed by white-cheeked leaving the Western rosella as the smallest.

    Rosellas have relatively long legs that are an adaptation for feeding on the ground.  They are often seen feeding on grass seeds  in the wild, either on the ground or perched on a low fence, pulling the seed head down with one foot while stripping the seeds off with their beak.  Rosellas are seen in the wild in pairs, or sometimes small groups.  They're relatively quiet but are instantly recognized by they're warbling chatter when they do chirp up.  Unlike many parrots they often fly without making any calls.  Visitors to Sydney can be treated to a view of Eastern rosellas if they visit the surrounding area and listen for that chatter!

    Rosellas mature in their first or second year, but often take an additonal year or so to attain their brightest plumage.

Rosellas in the Aviary

   In general, rosellas are a fiesty and flighty birds that require lots of space.  Pairs should be kept separate from other birds and be careful putting pairs in adjoining flights because they will bite toes!  Rosellas will also go to battle with neighboring Barnards, Port Lincolns, and Cloncurrys, so be careful.  They are beautiful birds that make lovely chattering sounds and whistles.  Rosellas DO NOT MAKE GOOD PETS!  Please refrain from handfeeding these birds since they soon become very aggressive towards people and do not make good breeders once handfed.

More information on the species we breed can be found by clicking the links to the left.  If we do not have a species your looking for, contact us anyway because we can get them all (although greens are very tough to find).

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