Rosellas: Beautiful Royalty

Many people are intrigued and enchanted with the gorgeous plumage and sweet personality of the Lory clan. That is, until they realize what a lot of work is required to clean up after these fruit and nectar eaters! The sugary liquid squirts can be a haven for bacteria and fungal growth, as can old nectar and dropped bits of fruit.

Despair no more, lovers of brilliant plumage! Here come the Rosellas! These brightly colored seed eaters are confined to Australia and surrounding islands. ( Australasia ) Ranging from 12 inches to 15 inches, these medium sized birds are gaining in popularity.

The Rosella Name

Rosellas belong to the genus Platycercus, which means ‘broad tailed.’ Indeed, it is one of the field characteristics which set them apart from other brightly colored Australian parrots. As for the name, ‘Rosella,’ the source is buried in myth. Some say Rosella comes from the slang term, ‘Rose Hiller,’ birds found by early settlers on Rose Hill, a Sydney suburb.
Others claim it was named by a man who didn’t cross his T’s when he named them after his wife, Rosetta. The truth is lost in the mists of time, but the name stuck, whatever its source. Rosellas are becoming more available, as they reproduce readily in captivity.
“Rosella” is the brand name of an Australian company that deals in food products, which selected the bird as an icon of Australia and the company’s Australian roots.
It is also a somewhat popular girl’s name, if online genealogy lists are anything to go by.

Watch Out for Smuggled Rosellas

Like most Australian birds, breeding pairs outside of that country or their ancestors) were likely smuggled out at some point in time. Australia is ferociously possessive of its wildlife, imposing strict laws against export. So, every now and then we read about someone caught leaving the country with eggs in their armpits, or pants filled with sedated parrots. However, there are plenty of aviculturists in Australia who are willing to share their knowledge about keeping and breeding Australian psittacines, and a global network of information, thanks to the internet and its series of tubes.
Rosella Species
There are five to eight species of Rosella. Like some of the Lories, a few Rosella subspecies may or may not be considered as separate species. This is for geneticists to decide; at some point, a subspecies may diverge so dramatically that it is clearly a new species which can no longer interbreed with the nominate bird. The most questionable birds are the Yellow, Crimson and Adelaide Rosellas, which have been classified as separate species and a single population. This has not been resolved but, unless you’re breeding them, isn’t much of an issue for companion bird owners.
Habitat

Rosellas can be found in forests as well as farmland and suburban backyards and parks.
They feed primarily on grass, fruit and seeds, foraging in treetops as well as on the ground. They readily visit bird feeders, to the delight of bird fanciers. Notably absent from the outback, they’re mostly confined to coastal regions and mountains. Several species have been introduced to other regions, where they have become well established.
As a group, the Rosellas are doing fairly well, adapting to urban and suburban areas. With a few exceptions, they breed fairly well in captivity. Most are aggressive and territorial around other birds and companion animals, with the exception of the Golden mantled Rosella, which enjoys popularity as a pet and is readily available.
Personality

Rosellas have a reputation for hardiness that surpasses that of the Lories. Their plumage is a bright shout of colors, a prerequisite for some prospective parrot owners. However, they also have a reputation for aggression around other pets, and a need for constant attention to keep them socialized and friendly to their human companions. They are similar to the African lovebirds in this trait. A neglected Rosella will become standoffish, and unwilling to interact with people.
When properly attended to, Rosellas are active, noisy, impish birds, which love to play and whistle to their owners. They aren’t known for their talking abilities, but their beauty makes up for that deficiency. Think Anna Nichole Smith in bird form -- beautiful, but about as talented as a stump. It’s only a superficial comparison. A Rosella won’t marry your 80-year-old billionaire father and try to hijack your inheritance!
Although the Golden mantled has a very suitable personality for a companion bird, people who keep them still recommend they be kept as “only birds.” Most of the other Rosellas really do seem more suited to an aviary than in the home, but the Golden mantled is a bird of stunning beauty, and the people who have them hold them in very high esteem.

Cage Requirements for Companion Rosellas

Due to their active nature, Rosellas need a lot of cage space for their size. Some websites recommend them as aviary birds only, stating they don’t thrive in pet situations. I wouldn’t rely too much on that advice. I know a couple of Rosellas in households that do very well, and enjoy the activity and attention a single bird can often expect from caring, attentive owners. Out on the street, their brilliant plumage attracts many admirers. They are pretty, and they know it, expecting to be treated as royalty.
Interesting Facts
A Rosella was the subject of the second painting done of an Australian bird, by William Ellisin in 1777, during Captain Cook’s third voyage to the continent. Depicting the Tasmanian Rosella, it hangs in the British Museum .
Early naturalists were easily confused by the Rosella’s bright colors, assuming them to be Lorys. In 1781, Dr. John Latham acquired specimens of the Crimson Rosella, which he referred to as “the beautiful Lory.”
A web search for Rosellas gives some interesting results. One woman posted a video of her Rosella stealing her ring and playing with it. A breeder claims to have “breaded” Rosellas. One wonders if frying is the next step. Another Rosella owner posted a video of her bird playing with, and opening, the door to its cage. Uh-oh!

One interesting item came up in a search for Rosella care. In Australia , at least, it is recommended that the birds be wormed regularly, which may have something to do with their tendency for feeding on the ground and digging up grass corms and insects.

There is a lot of contradictory information about the Rosella personality. Aviary birds, cage birds, lousy companion birds, excellent companion birds...it would appear that there’s a wide spectrum of behavior that can’t be quantified. What is agreed upon is the fact that Rosellas don't like to share their humans with others. Jealousy leads to aggression and screaming. They like to climb and are very active. Your best bet, if you want a Rosella, is to acquire a weaned bird from a breeder. A bird from a pet store probably hasn’t had the amount of socialization needed for it to become an ideal companion bird.

Rosella Subspecies

The Western Rosella , Platycercus icterotis, is the smallest member of the Rosella group, measuring 11” in length. Confined to the southwest portion of Australia , it is often seen in back yards. There are two subspecies with varying color patterns. Also called the Yellow-cheeked Rosella, this is the only Rosella with yellow cheek patches. Other Rosellas have blue or white cheeks. The head and chest are red, with bright blues and greens on the back. Once killed as crop pests, they are now protected by law. They can do serious damage to orchards in fruit, so permits can be issued to kill them.

The Western Rosella is listed as a bird of ‘least concern,’ as it is fairly common in its habitat. Populations appear to be declining around Australia ’s “wheat belt;” due to lack of habitat and the destruction of trees it requires for nesting sites. They can be seen foraging in parks, woodlands, backyards and golf courses in close proximity to man. They have also been introduced to New Zealand and Norfolk Island . Many Australian birds, Lorys and Corellas, for example, have been successfully established in other regions of the continent.

The Crimson Rosella, Platycercus elegans, is sometimes confused with the Australian King Parrot, but this predominantly red parrot has bright blue cheeks and a grey, rather than red bill. The mantle feathers are black with red lacing in the nominate color phase.
Found in Southeast Australia , the Crimson has three different color phases; yellow, orange and red. When a red meets a yellow, orange babies result. They’re like a psittacine color wheel!

There are five subspecies of Platycercus elegans, the members of which can interbreed.
The Yellow Rosella, Platycercus elegans flaveolus, was recently determined to be a subspecies of Crimson. This bird has yellow where the nominate has red.

The Adelaide Rosella is also a subspecies, Platycercus elegans adelaidae. This bird has orange replacing the red. The shade of orange can vary greatly, and is a result of interbreeding between the red and yellow subspecies. Color can vary from deep red-orange to pale yellow.

The Green Rosella, Platycercus caledonicus, is the largest member of the Rosella clan. This fifteen-inch bird is only found on Tasmania and the Bass Strait Islands .

The Green Rosella favors forests, and is not found around cleared areas. Once considered a subspecies of the Yellow Rosella, it’s now classified as a separate species. This bird is predominantly yellow green on the head and front, with a red forehead stripe and blue cheeks. Some birds have a scattering of red feathers on the breast. Bright blue stripes outline the leading edge of the wing. The back is black with green lacing.

These birds are associated with old growth Eucalyptus, and are considered vulnerable due to their limited distribution and habitat degradation.

Breeders have found that the Green, or Tasmanian Rosella, requires higher humidity than other Rosellas. These birds are not commonly found in the pet trade, as Tasmania imposed a prohibition on export, limiting access to aviculturists. When available, they are expensive, around $1200.00 AU. Breeding is regularly achieved, so the numbers in captivity are increasing slowly. People who want a Green Rosella will have to be patient!

The Pale-headed Rosella, Platycercus adscitus, is an attractive bird found in Eastern Australia . There are two subspecies, and this bird can interbreed with the Crimson and Eastern Rosella in the wild. It is still a matter of controversy, is it a subspecies or not? The bird is an elegant combination of colors. The pale blue belly shades into a light yellow breast with a brighter yellow head, with white cheeks. The wing coverts and tail are a brilliant blue, with red vent feathers. The back is black, with bright yellow lacing. It’s about 12.5” long, average size for a Rosella. This is a common bird, often seen foraging on the ground and trees, often in parks or back yards. It prefers more open areas, and so may benefit from tree thinning and other development.

Often seen in mixed groups of Crimson and Eastern Rosellas , in aviculture the species is often hybridized. They are under some pressure from illegal trapping, particularly the blue-cheeked color variation.

The Eastern Rosella , Platycercus eximius, is found in Eastern Australia , as the name suggests. It has also become established in New Zealand . Fairly common within its range, it favors lightly wooded areas and open spaces, often seen on the ground in urban areas. This pretty Rosella has a red head, upper breast and undertail coverts. It has bright white cheek patches, a greenish belly and rump, and brilliant blue wing coverts. The back is dark, with yellow lacing. Closely related to the Golden Mantled Rosella, P. a. cecilae, it is sometimes considered a separate species, but can interbreed.

The Golden Mantled Rosella closely resembles the Eastern, but the red is darker, and the gold lacing on the back is much more pronounced. These are probably the most commonly found Rosellas in captivity. They have a sweeter personality than some of the other Rosellas, more confiding and less aggressive.

Although not considered threatened in the wild, they compete with imported starlings for nesting sites, and have been subjected to trapping for the pet trade. These 12” birds are also preyed upon by domestic cats, but since they seem to thrive in urban settings, they are holding their own.

The Northern, or Brown’s Rosella, Platycercus venustus venustus, is a strikingly colored bird, with a black head, white cheek patch, and golden breast and belly feathers lightly laced in black, giving it a scaly appearance. Brilliant blue accents the throat and upper wing. The mantle is the opposite of the belly, black with golden lacing. It has red vent feathers.

Unfortunately, this uncommon bird appears to be declining in number, and is difficult to breed in captivity.

The Rufous Owl, Ninox rufa, has been reported to prey upon Northern Rosellas , whose remains were recovered from owl pellets in the Kakadu region.

The northern region of Australia is subject to monsoonal flow, resulting in periods of heavy rain. Northern Rosellas have been observed feeding on nectar during certain times of the year, primarily from the blossoms of Darwin ’s Woolybutt, a eucalypt. Stop that snickering! This is serious scientific research here!

The Northern Rosella is sometimes referred to as the “Smutty Rosella.” Probably because it feeds on…oh, never mind.

Here in Tasmania the Green Rosellas has been Banned From Export outside of the State.

Tasmania also has its own Sub Spiecies of the Eastern Rosella
very much the same size as the Green Rosella