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Eastern Rosella  (Platycercus eximius)

Also Known As: Rosella, Rosella Parrot or Parakeet, Red Rosella, Common Rosella, White-cheeked Rosella, Red-headed Rosella, Golden-mantled Rosella or Parakeet, (P.e. elecica)
 
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Wild Eastern Rosella, Australia

Credit: © Mehd Halaouate | http://www.indonesien.nu/indonesieneng/index.shtml
 
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Did You Know?
Rosellas are unique in the parrot world because of the black scalloping on the feathers of the mantle and back, and a prominent patch of colour on the cheeks, extending to the throat.

Status in the Wild
World Population:
Above 500,000

Range:
P.e. eximus: NE New South Wales south to SE South Australia.
P.e. elecica: NE New South Wales north to SE Queensland.
P.e. diemenensis: E Tasmania.


Habitat:
Are found up to 1250m (4100 ft) in a variety of habitats such as open forest, woodland, riverine forest, eucalypt copses, forest margins, grasslands, paddocks, agricultural lands and suburbs.

Threat Summary:
P.e. diemenensis is declining in Tasmania. May be shot as crop pest under license.

IUCN Rating:
Least concern

Wild Diet:
Feeds on seeds, berries, grain, fruit, blossoms, nectar and insects.

CITES Rating:
Appendix II

Ecology:
Feeds both in the trees and on the ground, usually in pairs or small groups. Large flocks are sometimes seen from the end of the breeding season until spring. Birds feed early in the day, rest during the hottest hours of the day, then feed before roosting at night.

Clutch and Egg Size:
6-7 rounded eggs, 27.0 x 21.5mm (1 x 0.8 in)

Breeding Season:
July-March

Links to Other Project(s):
http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/Content/backyard_buddies_rosellas

More Info Sites:
http://animal-world.com/encyclo/birds/parakeets_australian/Rosellas/goldenmantle_eastern.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Rosella

http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/finder/display.cfm?id=98

http://www.nzbirds.com/birds/easternrosella.html