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Crimson rosella

This striking Australian native parrot has bright crimson and blue plumage, a pale grey bill and dark brown eye, growing to about 35 centimetres. The youngster has a mix of green and red coloured feathers.

Crimson rosella.
Crimson rosella. Credit: JJ Harison

Where

Crimson rosellas are commonly found in Booderee’s woodland areas. You’ll often see them in groups foraging along the ground in the tall blackbutt forests around Green Patch. Look out for them also in the evening, roosting on tall trees.

Feeding

These birds feed mainly on tree seeds - though they also forage for berries, nuts and insects. In autumn and winter, look for youngsters noisily congregating in feeding parties.

Breeding

Crimson rosellas nest in deep tree hollows high above the ground. The female selects the nesting site and then it is lined by the mating pair who gnaw and shred the hollow with their beaks. The rosella pair guards ownership of the tree, chattering to repel other rosellas and guarding a buffer zone of several trees radius so no bird nests nearby. During the breeding season it is common for rosellas to fly to other nests and destroy the eggs.

Sounds

The crimson rosella has a range of calls, the commonest being a two-syllabled cussik-cussik. It also has a range of harsh screeches and metallic whistles. Listen for a musical psit-a-see.