Eastern Rosella
Platycercus eximius· 长尾鹦鹉科(7 photos)
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Eastern Rosella
29-34 cm. Trademark 'rosella': bright scarlet head/body with white cheeks; back yellow, mottled black; shoulders blue; underparts yellow and pale green; undertail-coverts red; rump bright greenish yellow. Female: duller, patchy green on crown/upperparts. Immature: more patchy green; pale wingstripe in flight. Race elecica of ne. NSW: golden nape/mantle; pale turquoise rump. Pairs, small flocks: often on roadsides, fences; raids fruit, nuts, in orchards, gardens. When disturbed, flies noisily to trees; flight strongly undulating; note bright rump.
- Other name
- White-cheeked Rosella.
- Voice
- brisk 'pink-pink'; slow, ringing 'pee-p-peeee'; soft chatterings.
- Habitat
- open grassy forests, woodlands; nearby grasslands; timbered watercourses, farmlands, crops, roadsides, parks, gardens.
- Breeding
- mostly Aug.-Feb.
- Nest
- in tree hollow; stump, fence post, burrow in bank; termite mound.
- Eggs
- 4-7; white, rounded.
- Range & Status
- se. Aust. and Tas.: from c. Kingaroy (se. Q) to c. Keith (se. SA); inland to Moree-Hay-Euston (NSW) and w. on Murray R. Nominate race and elecica intergrade n. of Hunter R. (NSW). Introduced Adelaide-Mt Lofty Ras. (SA); NZ. Common; sedentary.
- Distribution key to races
- 1. Platycercus eximius elecica 2. Platycercus eximius eximius 3. Platycercus eximius diemenensis
