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12

Eastern Rosella (Platycercus eximius) Alternate name(s): "White-cheeked Rosella", "Rosehill Parakeet", "Nonpareil Parrot" Aboriginal name(s): "kuitj kuitj"/"kut kut" [tjapwurrung, western djadjawurrung] Size: 28-33 cm; wing span 38-47 cm Weight: 90-125 g

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Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Eastern Rosellas are medium-sized parrots. Apart from white cheeks, they have an all-red head and chest. The belly is yellow, the vent again red. The nape of the neck is scalloped yellow-and-red, while the mantle and upperwings are scalloped yellow-and-black. The flight feathers are dark-blue. The rump is yellow, the uppertail green. Female Eastern Rosellas have somewhat duller colours than males, especially around the head and neck. The bill of both sexes is light-grey, the irises are dark and the legs and feet are grey. Juvenile Eastern Rosellas resemble females, but with duller colours. In-flight, both juveniles and females show a white underwing bar that the males lack. Twitcher's tip Compared to Western Rosellas, Eastern Rosellas have white cheeks and a yellow belly, rather than yellow cheeks and an all-red front.

Taxonomy, classification See Eastern Rosella at Wikipedia . Click here for classification information Eastern Rosellas and Pale-headed Rosellas are now considered by most to be separate species.

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Eastern Rosella is available HERE . Eastern Rosellas are endemic to Australia. They populate VIC and about the eastern half of NSW, in a strip that is about 300-500 km wide, including the Great Dividing Range and the Australian Alps. They are also found in the Murray River catchment, up to about Adelaide, SA, in the West. After substantial inland rainfall they can extend their range westward, out into the semi-arid interior of northern NSW and central QLD. They are also found in the eastern half of Tasmania. Of the three races of Eastern Rosella, nominate race "eximius" is found from about the Hunter River estuary to South-West SA. In northern NSW race "elecica" is found, whereas Tasmania is populated by race "diemenensis". At the borderline of their ranges, the population densities of both Pale-headed RosellaPale-headed Rosellas at least 10:1, while at Moree, NSW, just 100 km further North, it is the other way round. There is also an introduced population in New Zealand, most on the North Island. Eastern Rosellas are usually found in open forest, often with grassy undergrowth. They adapt well to the presence of humans and are also found on farms or in urban parks and gardens.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "eximius" R. Plumtree reports spotting Eastern Rosellas, nominate race "eximius", regularly in the area of Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC. M. Eaton found Eastern Rosellas, nominate race "eximius", at the Botanical Gardens, Adelaide, SA, in April 2022. Race "elecica" Eastern Rosellas, race "elecica", can be seen in the Narrabri area on a regular basis. However, they are more common in the hill ranges East of Narrabri than out in the plains. In April 2006 we saw hundreds of Eastern Rosellas, race "elecica", on a trip through the Nandewar Range, in the area from roughly Barraba, NSW, to the Upper Horton Valley. Eastern Rosellas, race "elecica", were also sighted by us on trips to the East of the Great Dividing Range, in the area from Armidale to Dorrigo and Urunga, NSW, regularly. M. Eaton reports finding a pure-bred Eastern Rosella, race "elecica", at Brunswick Heads, NSW, in January 2019. This location is close to the northern boundary of the species' range. Eastern Rosellas are usually found around humans more frequently in the winter months, when they tend to forage in gardens; during the summer they are seen much less frequently, even in times of water shortage in nature. In 2007 the first fledglings were seen in late August, at roughly the same time as those of various ducks. Race "diemenensis" B. Hensen reports finding an Eastern Rosella, race "diemenensis", at the Botanical Garden, Hobart, TAS, in March 2016. M. Eaton spotted an Eastern Rosella, race "diemenensis", at Goulds Lagoon, Hobart, TAS, in April 2021. C. Pears spotted an Eastern Rosella, race "diemenensis", at the Hobart Botanical Garden, TAS, in December 2022. !-- Don't forget to end the div here!!! -->

Photos

Race "eximius"

ADULT

MALE

Close-up frontal view of a male Eastern Rosella feeding on nectar (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Gardens, Adelaide, SA, April 2022]

Close-up frontal view of a male Eastern Rosella feeding on seeds (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Gardens, Adelaide, SA, April 2022]

Near-frontal view of a male Eastern Rosella (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Gardens, Adelaide, SA, April 2022]

Near-lateral view of a male Eastern Rosella feeding on seeds (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Gardens, Adelaide, SA, April 2022]

Lateral view of a male Eastern Rosella feeding on nectar (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Gardens, Adelaide, SA, April 2022]

Lateral view of a male Eastern Rosella feeding on nectar (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Gardens, Adelaide, SA, April 2022]

Dorsal view of a male Eastern Rosella (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Botanical Gardens, Adelaide, SA, April 2022]

Dorsal view of a male Eastern Rosella (photo courtesy of C. Lawrence)
[Canberra, ACT, August 2005]

FEMALE

Lateral portrait of a female(?) Eastern Rosella (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay, East Gippsland, VIC, January 2020]

Lateral view of a female Eastern Rosella (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Ensay Doctors Flat Road, East Gippsland, VIC, February 2014]

Race "elecica"

This race is also called the "Golden-mantled Rosella".

Not the photos you want? Or are you after even better quality? Have a look here .

ADULT

MALE

Frontal view of a male Eastern Rosella
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2022]

Near-frontal view of a male Eastern Rosella (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Brunswick Heads, NSW, January 2019]

Male Eastern Rosella looking at the observer; one can see clearly its white cheeks, which gave the species its alternate name
[Eulah Creek, NSW, July 2012]

Near-lateral view of a male Eastern Rosella (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Brunswick Heads, NSW, January 2019]

Near-lateral view of a male Eastern Rosella
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2006]

Lateral view of a male Eastern Rosella with its head turned
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2007]

Lateral view of a male Eastern Rosella
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2007]

Dorsal view of a male Eastern Rosella, here seen inspecting a nesting box
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2013]

Dorsal view of a male Eastern Rosella (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Port Macquarie, NSW, January 2021]

Lateral/ventral view of a male Eastern Rosella in flight
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2019]

FEMALE

Frontal view of a female Eastern Rosella
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2015]

Frontal view from below of a female Eastern Rosella with its tail fanned
[Eulah Creek, NSW, June 2012]

Dorsal view of a female Eastern Rosella
[Narrabri, NSW, November 2010]

PAIR

Lateral view of a pair of Eastern Rosellas feeding on greens, male on the left
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2021]

Lateral/dorsal view of a soaking wet pair of Eastern Rosellas in the bathtub; male on the left
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2021]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Lateral view of a juvenile Eastern Rosella
[Near Narrabri, NSW, January 2006]

Juvenile bird feasting on the seeds of a weed growing in our lawn
[Eulah Creek, NSW, February 2012]

Race "diemenensis"

ADULT

MALE

Frontal view of a male Eastern Rosella (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Botanic Garden, Hobart, TAS, March 2016]

Lateral view of a male Eastern Rosella (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Goulds Lagoon, Hobart, TAS, April 2021]

Breeding information

Breeding season: Sep - Dec

Eggs: 4 - 5

Incubation period: 19 - 20 days

Fledging age: ca. 35 days

In some cases a brood can be up to 8 eggs. In November 2012 we found the first chick of a clutch of four hatched after 19 days.

Nest building: ?

Incubation: Female

Dependent care: Female & male

The male feeds the female near the nest during the time she is incubating the eggs.

Nest

"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Tree hollow

Material: Wood

Height above ground: 3 - 10(?) m

Female Eastern Rosella in the entrance of a nesting box in our garden
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2012]

Female Eastern Rosella entering a nesting box in our garden
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2012]

Female Eastern Rosella re-entering the nest after a short absence
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2012]

Eggs

"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size: 27 x 22 mm

Colour: White

Shape: Rounded

Four Eastern Rosella eggs in a nesting box in our garden
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2012]

The first tiny Eastern Rosella chick has hatched, three eggs are still intact; the female has not removed all fragments of the first broken eggshell yet
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2012]

Hybrids

Eastern Rosellas are known to hybridise with Pale-headed Rosellas and with Crimson Rosellas.

Pale-headed Rosella hybrids

Frontal view of a hybrid Eastern/Pale-headed Rosella (click on image to see the bird with its head turned the other way)
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2011]

Near-frontal view of a hybrid Eastern/Pale-headed Rosella
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2022]

Lateral view of a hybrid Pale-headed Rosella checking whether all is clear before approaching a waterhole
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2011]

View from behind of a hybrid Eastern/Pale-headed Rosella
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2007]

Slightly different stance
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2007]

Here a very young Rosella of mixed parentage, 25 km west of Narrabri, NSW. It is a mix between an Eastern Rosella and a Pale-headed Rosella
[Near Narrabri, NSW, 2006]

A portrait of the little chick is available here.

Crimson Rosella hybrids

Lateral view of an Eastern Rosella x Crimson Rosella hybrid (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
[Near Barraba, NSW, April 2014]

Although not 100% sure, because unable to obtain a photo for identification at the time, we think that we have also spotted a hybrid between a Crimson Rosella and an Eastern Rosella at Girraween NP (southern QLD) in July 2009.

P. & M. Juers report spotting a hybrid between a Crimson Rosella and an Eastern Rosella at Drouin, VIC (see photo below).

Male hybrid Crimson Rosella/Eastern Rosella with a female Eastern Rosella (photo courtesy of P. & M. Juers)

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial

Mobility: Sedentary/dispersive

Elementary unit: Pair

 

Since, as is the case for many other parrot species, female Eastern Rosellas take on the incubation duties, they rely on the males to feed them. Therefore, males prove their mettle in a bonding ritual, by feeding their partners to earn the right to mate.

Male Eastern Rosella, left, feeding the female, right
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2020]

In the region where their habitats overlap, i.e. northern NSW and southern QLD, Eastern Rosellas and Pale-headed Rosellas can interbreed (see above). The hybrids have intermediate colours (the size and colour of the yellow and red patches on their heads and breasts vary).

Pair of Eastern Rosella (bottom) and Pale-headed Rosella (top) in a White Cedar tree
[20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, 2005]

Like most other parrots, Eastern Rosellas love taking a bath...

Eastern Rosella/Pale-headed Rosella getting into the "shower" (under a garden sprinkler)
[Eulah Creek, NSW, January 2016]

After a veeeery long soak the result can look like this...
[Eulah Creek, NSW, January 2016]

Here a direct comparison between the two, showing that he did not just "fudge" the colours!
[Eulah Creek, NSW, January 2016]

The photos below show that Eastern Rosellas can become very tame.

This is "Christmas", a female Eastern Rosella who decided, on Christmas Day 2009, to live with a human - by landing on his head at 4 am in complete darkness (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, Feburary 2010]

"Christmas" in the bathtub (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Highland Park, Gold Coast, QLD, October 2010]

Food, Diet

Like many parrots, Eastern Rosellas feed primarily on seeds and fruit.

Male Eastern Rosella nibbling on grass seeds (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Brunswick Heads, NSW, January 2019]

Eastern Rosella reaching for seeds
[Gunnedah, NSW, August 2011]

This explains why there were hardly any seeds left on the tree...
[Gunnedah, NSW, August 2011]

Female Eastern Rosella taking seeds of an Acacia salicina
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2013]

Male Eastern Rosella nibbling on a prickly seed
[Narrabri, NSW, June 2018]

Eastern Rosellas have also been found to be taking nectar from the flowers of Emubushes and we have seen them nibble on flowers of various types of eucalypt, including e.g. lemon-scented gumtrees.

This Eastern Rosella was observed by us in a eucalypt infested with psyllids/lerps
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2021]

Male Eastern Rosella having a drink of water from a bird bath
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2022]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

eastros_20140311.mp3	elecica (NW NSW)	Contact call	© MD
eastros_20140313_2.mp3	elecica (NW NSW)	Contact calls	© MD
eastros_20140110.mp3	elecica (NW NSW)	(Partial) contact call	© MD
eastros_20170520.m4a	elecica (NW NSW)	Calling mate(?)	© MD
eastros_20140313_3.mp3	elecica (NW NSW)	Calling mate(?)	© MD
eastros_20220827.mp3	elecica (NW NSW)	Arrival	© MD
eastros_20160202.m4a	elecica (NW NSW)	Warning/departure	© MD
eastros_20151016.m4a	elecica (NW NSW)	Alarm/departure	© MD
eastros_20181008.m4a	elecica (NW NSW)	? (pair)	© MD
eastros_20191014.m4a	elecica (NW NSW)	? (pair)	© MD
eastros_20191014_2.m4a	elecica (NW NSW)	? (pair)	© MD
eastros_20191014_3.m4a	elecica (NW NSW)	? (pair)	© MD
eastros_20200329.m4a	elecica (NW NSW)	? (arrival)	© MD
eastros_20221105.mp3	elecica (NW NSW)	?	© MD
eastros_20221228.mp3	elecica (NW NSW)	?	© MD
eastros_20180304.m4a	elecica (NW NSW)	Begging calls (juvenile)	© MD
eastros_20210205.m4a	elecica (NW NSW)	Begging/feeding calls (juvenile)	© MD

More Eastern Rosella sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site? If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.

Disclaimer: Comments are always welcome. We give no guarantee that the information presented on these pages is always correct or up-to-date. External links are marked as such and we take no responsibility for the contents of external pages. All images on this site are protected by copyright & used by permission of the respective owners. If you wish to reproduce them or any of the material presented on this web site, please contact us: We hereby acknowledge the original custodians of the land which is described on these pages, including the Gomeroi/Gamilaraay people of the North-west Slopes and Plains of NSW, and the traditional owners of other lands and nations within this country. We acknowledge elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.          Last updated: Thu, 4 May 2023, 3:38 +00:00