Eastern RosellaGolden-mantled Rosella, Cecilia's Rosella

"Dr. Jungle admires Betty Boop... posing from all angles!"
Photos courtesy: Andy Sennett

     "Betty Boop" is a rather young Golden-mantled Rosella or Cecilia's Rosella. This is apparent because of the green still showing on the hind part of the neck. A fully mature Eastern Rosella will have his whole crown red, including the back of the neck.

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Scientific name: Platycercus eximius - Eastern Rosella
                         

Sub-species: Platycercus e. ceciliae - Cecilia's or Golden-mantled
                                                                                Platycercus e. eximius - Red Rosella
                                                                                 Platycercus e. diemenensis - (North)

Distribution:      The Eastern Rosella is found in southeastern Australia including Tasmania, and have been introduce to New Zealand. They originally inhabited the open savannas but today are found in areas cultivated with cereal crops and in pasture lands. They are also familiar birds in gardens and parks on the outskirts of towns and cities.

Description:      The Golden-mantled Rosella and the other two Eastern Rosellas belong in the Platycercus genus which contains six species. They are members of the parakeet family, usually grouped with Australian Parakeets. The word 'parakeet' means long tail and Rosellas have long tails! Rosellas are fairly easy to recognize by their pronounced cheek patches, strong mottling on their backs, unique and bright colors, and feathers that are scalloped.      The Eastern Rosella has a red head and breast with a white cheek patch. The belly is a greenish yellow and the rump is a pale green. The back and wings are black edged with yellow. The outer wing and tail feathers and blue. The two sexes are very much alike, although the females often have less red on the head and breast. The females are often duller in color as well. juveniles are similar to the females and also have green on the the nape of the neck and crown.      The Golden-mantled Rosella or Cecilia's Rosella can be distinguished by a bluish-green rump rather than pale green, and the red on their head and breast is a darker red.

Care and Feeding:      Fresh food and water must be provided daily.      In the wild, Eastern Rosellas eat a variety of seeds and blossoms, berries and fruits, nuts, blossoms, leaf buds. They feed both in the treetops and on the ground. Their diet consists of a good seed mixture supplemented with sprouted seed, various fruits, and green foods. In addition to these foods, you can offer them vegetables and commercial pellets.      They also enjoy the same nutritional foods humans eat, including cooked chicken. Cooked beans, rice, and grains are also enjoyed, but soft foods like these will spoil in about 4 hours. An occasional millet spray is a nice treat. The Golden-mantled Rosella should also be offered grit with charcoal.      See About Parakeets: Care and Feeding for more detailed information.

Housing:      The Eastern Rosellas originally inhabited the open savannas but today are found in areas cultivated with cereal crops, in pasture lands, and even in orchards. They are also familiar birds in gardens and parks on the outskirts of towns and cities.      A roomy cage is required, and time out of the cage for exercise and flying is very important for them. They will do very well in an aviary and are not as sensitive to varying temperatures as some parakeets.      See About Parakeets: Housing for more extensive housing information.

Maintenance:      The basic cage care includes daily cleaning of the water and food dishes. Weekly you should wash all the perches and dirty toys, and the floor should be washed about every other week. A total hosing down and disinfecting of an aviary should be done yearly, replacing anything that needs to be freshened, such as old dishes, toys and perches.

Social Behaviors:      In the wild, these birds live in flocks in the winter,from 8 to 20 birds, though occasionally they will be seen in flocks of up to 100. In early spring the pair up and set up breeding territories and the males are quite quarrelsome.      In captivity Eastern Rosellas are very aggressive toward other rosellas and parakeets, as well as other parrot-like birds. It is not recommended to house them together unless as a breeding pair. Do not even house them in adjoining aviaries or cages as they are so bickery, they will bite at the sides of their cage.

Handling/Training:      The Rosellas are a more difficult parakeet to train and will need a lot of patience, as well as a loving but consistently firm handling and close interaction. These birds are not really considered a beginner's bird.      See About Parakeets: Handling and Training for detailed information.

Activities:      Golden-mantled Rosellas are very energetic birds! Besides flying, which is important for all parakeets, these birds love to chew! Be sure you provide them with lots of assorted toys and wood chews, perches and swings.

Breeding/Reproduction:      All the rosella's are easily bred, and the Golden-mantled Rosella will usually breed twice a year. In the wild they build their nests in the hollows of trees or stumps. Each pair will need two nesting boxes to choose from.      Once the nest box is selected the female will lay four to nine eggs, though usually five. The female broods the eggs. The young hatch in 18 - 20 days and will leave the nest in about 5 weeks. In the wild they will stay with their parents for several months unless there is another mating, but in captivity it is recommended that you remove the young about a month after they are on their own.      As importation of these beautiful birds is prohibited by the Australian government, many believe that it is important that the species are kept from cross-breeding to insure their continuation. Even though the rosella's will easily cross-breed, and it has been noted that there are possibly hybrids in the wild, there will be no more pure species brought into this country.      See About Parakeets: Breeding and Reproduction for more information.

Potential Problems:      Though the Eastern Rosellas can have a loud call, are healthy, hardy birds. With a proper environment and a good balanced diet, they are very hardy and resistant to disease.      If they are kept in an outdoor aviary, the Eastern Rosellas often acquire worms. This is because of their frequent contact with the ground where they like to pick up seed. You may need to talk to an avian veterinarian about a regular de-worming schedule.      See About Parakeets: Potential Problems for more information.

Availability:      Golden-mantled Rosellas or Cecilia's Rosellas are available from time to time at pet stores or from breeders.

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Latest Comments
I just got 2 eastern rosellas a week ago, a male and female. Named them Sonny & Cher. They are the prettiest birds I think I have ever seen, they are so active and they sing all day. I hope I can tame them, but if not, just watching them is enough for me. The man I bought them from said they are ready to breed, so I put a nesting box in the cage and they are already showing interest, so wish me luck. annette 2009-06-20
I have two Rosella's and they are gorgeous! I have had one for over 3 months and the other just over a month. I've gotten into the habit of cutting up some fresh fruit to feed them, I heard it's good for them. I was wondering if there is any way to find out if they're male or female without pulling feathers out or getting the surgically tested, as I'm sure it hurts, and I want them to trust me, and not think I'm horrible. I've heard that the female's have white stripes under the wing. I think I've seem some, but she's 19 months old, and I was wondering if maybe she should've layed eggs by now. Any information is helpful to solving my problem. Thanks, Frankie. frankie 2009-06-06
Hi, I've just gottn my first rosella, and think they are the cutest bird I've seen. I just want to know how you stop them biting and to step on to your finger. I've looked on other websites and they said to clip their wings, but I think thats too cruel. He's 6 weeks old and I've had him in the house a few days, just want to do it properly so I thought I'd ask. I know he needs to get used to me, just want advice. I've recently lost my kakariki arnold. I was devastated and thought having a different bird will take my mind of it. Didn't really want another kakariki because it won't feel the same. He was such a character :(. So if you can help it would be great thanks. Emma Higginson 2009-05-06
I have a Rosella and he lives with another bird and he is fine with him, as everytime I take the other bird away, he gets really mad. So I guess they can live with other birds. NATALIE WARD 2009-03-06
Rosellas are like all birds in that individuals have different personalities, but my male Golden Mantled Rosella is very aggressive towards my smaller birds, a pair of Pacific Parrotlets. When he is out of cage time, he will try to get over to their cage and threaten them, although he never actually attacks them. (Keeping his wings trimmed helps to keep him on his own playstand.) So I would be very careful -- you might want to have your rosella DNA sexed since the males are more likely to be aggressive. I am looking for an older female Golden Mantled Rosella to be a companion to my male. I don't intend to breed them, but I'm hoping that he will be happier and less jealous of the parrotlets if he has his own special friend. If you know of a rescue where I could find an older female, please let me know -- thanks!! Best of luck with your new rosella, Cindy cindy 2008-11-27
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I've read so many 'fact's about rosellas, only a few of which I've found to be true with mine. I bought an unhandled, 7 year old male who had only been used as a breeder. He's a stunning Opaline (or Firery) Eastern Rosella. In the span of 7 weeks he's gone from wild and unhandled, to happily stepping up on a stick, learning to step up on my hand, and even tolerates touching of his back and wings. He lives in a very large cage with my 4 cockatiels and single budgie. He's not the slighest bit aggressive, and gets along WONDERFULLY with them. When let out of their cages, he gets along just fine with my lovebird as well. He's been a joy to have around, a quick learner and a great addition to my flock. Perhaps he's just an exception to the 'rules' of Rosellas, or perhaps people don't give them enough credit. Seems to me they make wonderful pets (and he is definitely a male). Crystal M 2009-10-22
One year ago I bought my Eastern Rosella at a petshop, she was 3½ months old. And what can I say, she is perfect. Information on Rosellas are hard to find other than facts. It is important to hear about other peoples experiences to learn. Eastern Rosellas are said to be aggressive toward other parakeets. So it was with a knot in my stomach I introduced her to a lovebird 6 months ago. He has his own cage and I put it next to hers, so they could get to know each other. They became the best of friends, she being 3 times his size. She will bathe in her pool and he will be under her tail to get a good shower. A lovebird will quickly become tame, even when bought in a petshop and she has learned from him to be bolder. She sees him on my arm munching millet than she will want to come too. She is not noisy but playful, friendly, curious and never aggressive. It's very important to take her out of the cage everyday to flap her wings as long as possible. Try reading about birds body language which helped me to understand what she was telling me. Helle Helle 2008-11-10
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I have enjoyed reading the information on this site as I have only had my pair of Rosellas a few weeks and need all the help I can get in the early stages. It has been great interacting with the birds, although they are not tame as I believe they are over eighteen months old. They do seem to bicker a great deal and one is very dominant over the other. However they are fascinating to watch both in and out of the cage and I am looking forward to many years with them. So far so good! Nick Middleton 2009-06-20
i have loved birds since i was 7. i find them very fascinating, especially the golden manteled rosella. since i found your website i have wanted to buy one. i am sure i will one day. lachlan mills 2006-04-18
Just discovered your website and was happy to see that my Rosella is right on target. I was told in the beginning that they didn't make great pets and not to expect much; however, I have had her for 7 years and she mimics words such as, Come here, Hi Honey, and whistles Jingle Bells, Laurel & Hardy medley, and some others. We have found she gets irritated by my son-in-law's British accent...talk about screaming! Keep up the great website. Fran Tintelnot 2005-09-22

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