Eastern Rosella
On our visit last week to the Wittunga Botanic Gardens in the Adelaide Hills, I observed quite an interesting range of birds in the gardens and near the lake. There were plenty of Pacific Black Ducks and Wood Ducks, all clamoring for a piece of the action if any people came along - whether or not they looked like have a picnic. Ducks are ever hopeful of some food handouts.
I saw Eurasian Coots and Dusky Moorhens on the water and two Little Pied Cormorants perching on dead branches sticking out over the water of the lake. Two - perhaps a pair - of Masked Lapwings patrolled sections of the lawned areas used by picnickers. Welcome Swallows swooped low over the water and nearby bushy area. The trees were abuzz with Rainbow Lorikeets in a feeding frenzy. I also saw several Musk Lorikeets, a smaller parrot than the Rainbows but just as noisy. As for the larger parrot species I noticed several Galahs feeding on the lawns while a single Corella, I presume it was a Little Corella, flew overhead at one stage. I didn’t get a close enough look to be certain.
Eastern Rosella
One species I was delighted to be able to see and photograph was the Eastern Rosella. In South Australia this species is mainly confined to the South East region of the state and to parts of the suburbs of Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills. The above photo shows up its brilliant colours. This is one occasion when I didn’t have to chase the bird in question, as it seemed happy to pose for me on the edge of the path.
Two days after taking the above photo, I was surprised to see a single Eastern Rosella at the Murraylands Homes for the Aged in Murray Bridge. I was there visiting my mother-in-law. This is the first time I have recorded this species anywhere near here. My closest other sightings are at least 60km to the west. By its behaviour it could well have been an escapee from someone’s aviary.
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This is the mix that was suggested to feed the young:
It consists of equal parts of High Protein Baby Cereal, Bread Crumbs, Chicken Starter Crumbs and a mixture we get from the health food shop which is a Linseed, Almond and Sunflower meal.
This is all mixed and run through the blender and then stored in the fridge until ready for use.
The very young chicks are fed with a spoon but as they get older we change to disposable plastic syringe with a plastic tube attached the main reason for the change is just speed in feeding the chicks
hey thanks for sharing that site http://www.birdcare.com.au/rosellas.htm
i was looking for a bird care info and some tricks…
jan
Hi I found a young Rosella, and it’s in a cane basket but it is really hot, I think the bird is very frightened and skreetch when ever we approach or take the towel off, I’ve left it some sunflower seeds, and water, and trying to leave it alone, but I’m warried it will get too hot. It is sitting in the water bowl. If you can answer ASAP it will be great help.
Elenor
hi trevor, i have a pair of rosella’s that i have had for 5 years and they were always happy with a certain brand of muesli this is now discontinued and they are not happy. any suggestions. cheers lynn
Hi there elenor - sorry I didn’t reply to your question - at that time I was travelling with no internet access. Hope things turned out okay.
Lynn - I’m sorry - I don’t have any experience in caring for rosellas. Can I suggest you contact your local pet shop or vet for advice, or look in your phone books for the nearest bird club.
hi hi…….
our puppy was PLAYING with a baby rosella. it was squarking and i think our pup thought it was her squeeky toy. she wasnt trying to hurt it. as i said she is a puppy. anyway she broke its wing and now we have it in a cage. a wonderful cage with branches and tree clippings and rocks etc. we are thinking of keeping it. we have named it DK for DONT KNOW if its a boy or girl……..anyway wish us luck in keeping it safe and its wing getting better…….thanks
We found an Eastern Rosella in our backyard yesterday. It is a female with no tail feathers. We have her in a cage with seed and water but not sure if this is the best option for her. The rest of her feathers look to have had a pretty rough time as she looks ‘hen-pecked’. There have been three other rosellas hanging around her cage. Are we doing the right thing in keeping her in the cage until the tail feathers grow back?
Hi carol,
I am fairly certain that the feathers will eventually grow back - unless the parrot has some disease which is causing it to lose feathers.
A more likely cause would be that a cat or dog has tried to catch its tail in its mouth, and was left with a mouth full of feathers.
I would certainly keep it in a cage until the feathers regrow. If in any doubt, check with your local vet, pet shop or wildlife carers - see the phone book for contact details.
We have two Rosellas, a boy and a girl.
They’re gorgeous. I’ve already had the boy stand on my hand, but the girl seems abit more wary, but she’s young.
The girl is a year and a half and the boy we are unsure.
They are the most gorgeous birds and I hope that eventually they will be able to trust us so that we can train them.