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.

To learn more about Parakeets and their needs visit:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Parakeet

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.

Add your comment here!
Click to see All the comments!
Click to see all of the coolest comments!
Latest Comments
Hi, I have just been given an young eastern rosella that apparently had fallen from the nest. I lost my 9 year old peachface recently, so I have experience with keeping birds. My question is when do I start to train it and handle it. Whenever I go to the cage it freaks out and is very scared at the moment. Do you suggest I leave it to settle for a few days in the cage and then try??? Just not sure bout the best way to go about this. Thanks any info would be appreciated. nicole 2009-11-16
I've had my rosella "Cookie" for about a year, he was about a year old when I bought him and had come from a very noisy and chaotic family who could not put up with his noise any longer. He was fine with us for about 9 months but we have recently bought a puppy and since then he has become duller in colour and is losing lots of his feathers, is it jealousy?. I am also concerned that he isn't as vocal as he used to be, is this all connected? and should I get another bird to keep him company as I don't want him/her to be unhappy. Any advice would be great as he's such a character but a little subdued lately. ursula roan 2009-09-13
I really want a golden mantle rosella but when we went to the petshop to buy one -me and my dad- we were looking at the cages outside when this really annoying man from the shop next door came over and said that the shop was to pricey (the bird would cost £80 but it's the closest shop and the first rosella I've even seen for sale!!). So now my dad listened to the dude because he apparently bred parakeets and I'm going miles away to 'have a look' because my dad got home and told my mum -I was getting it in secret-. So I probably won't get one now :(, is there any way I could persuade my dad?? We already have a green cheeked conure but he's attached to my sister and we'd keep them separate and all :(. if you can help, please send an e-mail to alibabz95_xx@yahoo.co.uk and put the subjet 'rosella :)' so i don't delete it thanks :) Alwen :) 2009-08-29
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
Some of the coolest comments:
I have recently gotten 3 Rosellas, a Golden Mantle, a Mealy and a Rubino, all 3 live together in a large cage and generally get on very well together. Occasionally they have a shouting session, but overall they live perfectly well together. Reading one of your letters where Emma had just got her first bird and was worried that it was not friendly and biting, to get it to go on your finger takes a lot of patience. I`ve had mine 4 months now and only one is coming onto my fingers, the other 2 are close but need more time. All I can say is be patient and gentle in your approach and in time they will get on your finger. I have trained mine to a stick first and then to the finger Bernie Winn 2009-12-21
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
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
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

Back to Parakeet: Types of Parakeets