CRIMSON ROSELLA

There are several colour forms of the Crimson Rosella. The form it is named for, and which we see in Sydney, has mostly crimson (red) plumage and bright blue cheeks. The feathers of the back are black broadly edged with red. The wings have broad blue edges and the tail is blue above and pale blue below and on the outer feathers. Young birds have the characteristic blue cheeks, but the remainder of the body plumage is green-olive until 15 months of age.

Throughout its eastern and southern Australia range, the Crimson Rosella is commonly associated with tall eucalypt and wetter forests. There are many records of its presence in Fred Caterson Reserve.

The Crimson Rosella makes its nest in a tree hollow located high in a tree and lines it with wood shavings and dust.

Crimson Rosellas are normally encountered in small flocks. Natural foods include seeds of eucalypts, grasses and shrubs, as well as insects and some tree blossoms. They are easily attracted to garden seed trays. Once familiar with humans, they will accept hand held food. 

Did you know? 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. To identify it by call, learn all of these.

Information provided by BirdLife Southern NSW in conjunction with BirdLife Australia's Birds in Backyards Program.