Eastern 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.

Author: Clarice Brough, CAS

Lastest Comments on Eastern Rosella View all 61 comments on Eastern Rosella Add Your Comment

MANNY MARTINEZ - 2012-05-22 HELLO; IAM TRYING TO BUY A FEMALE ROSELLA FOR MONTHS AND NO LUCK SO FAR.PEASE IF ANYBODY HAS A FEMALE FOR SALE.LET ME KNOW . THANKS 253 495 9915. Reply

eve - 2012-03-07 Can anyone help me? My George is still trying to feed my Mildrid. He is still trying to mate but she is not ready and has not been all thru the mating season. He feeds the branch in the cage. They are in and out of there breeding box, but nothing is in there. Mildrid has never been a bird that bites, but is now starting to bite when I change her water. Is it a problem I have created by leaving the nesting box in there cage. Should I take the box out, or are they still trying to mate but are confused by the typical british weather and leave the box in. I would be greatful for any help, thank you. Charlie Roche - 2012-03-07 They are learning and the behavior is normal. NO - do not remove the nest box. George is starting to get his part down by feeding her (or the branch if she won't take the food) and Mildred is starting to get her part down by protecting the nest box (ie biting you). They are going in/out of the nest box cuz they have the urge but just haven't figured out what it is they are supposed to do. They have no flock to TEACH THEM so relying on some innate sense of what is to happen. They say the first couple of clutches are for free - the eggs might be infertile or broken or may not feed. It takes them awhile to get the hang of what it is they are to do. eve - 2012-03-09 thank you so much charlie, i was begining to wonder if i was frustrating them by leaving the box in, i have no idea how old they are but they do seem young, thanks again for the info, i will keep you posted. eve - 2012-04-19 Hi Charlie, just to let you know Mildrid and George are hitting the right spot, they have been courting for about two weeks now. She has thrown all her nesting out of the box so I just keep topping it up, and they seem to be gettting the hang of feeding from each other, I really do thank you for your input. Charlie Roche - 2012-04-19 Sounds like they are getting the hang of it. You can put some cardboard toilet paper rolls, small branches and see if she wants to put HER stuff in the next box. eve - 2012-04-27 aw ok thanks charlie, we been putting nesting stuff in the box ourselves, and all she is doing is kicking it out, not all of it though, over the past two or three days she has spent more time in the box, most of the day, comes out for a while and then goes back in, but george hates being on his own and tried getting in with her, she soon threw him out, not sure if she will lay eggs or not, but will keep you posted, thank you Reply

Heidi Gillen - 2012-04-19 I have an agressive male gold mantle rosella raised in an outside aviary. His mate just died not sure of what. Both fed each other and appeared happy, in and out of nest box.. I am afraid to purchase another female in case it is the male attacking her. Is it better to leave the male without a future mate? He appears lonely and sings out for a partner. California resident with aviary on my patio. Charlie Roche - 2012-04-19 I would not think the male killed the female - The female could have been egg bound, heart attack - I don't know but if the male had killed the female there would have to be some tell tale signs. It is rare that happens and not at all common with rosellas. I would get another female but introduce them gradually as he might be a little teritorial etc. You could place him (the fella) in a smaller cage right next to the one he is in. When you get her, p[lace her in the cage he used to be in as she will get used to this cage and he will not be able to say it is his territory. When you see them trying to sit side by side and attempt to interact (which shouldn't take long) then let the male back into his cage. Reply

Trudie Koelman - 2012-02-06 Where can I get a Eastern Rosella. Urgent Charlie Roche - 2012-02-12 Look up Rosella Breeders on the Internet or the ads in the back of Bird Talk. Breeders usually know who is breeding what. Just start with your area and call breeders of any birds and they should get you to the right person. Internet is another way. Spring is coming so babies will be coming too. Helena - 2012-03-20 Hi Trudie, I'm from South Africa and have 4 Golden Mantels Rosella 6 months old. Friends from Namibia regularly come to Paarl at least every 3 months. Email me at retnelah@yahoo.com. Helena Reply

Ian Gough - 2010-08-07 Having just lost my dear pet bobbie (eastern rosella) I'm finding very difficult to find someone who breeds or sells them. Linda - 2010-09-06 Where do you live? I have some babies from last year & I have 4 from this year, I live in Minnesota. Anonymous - 2010-11-18 I have a 5 month old male named buddy contact me at my e-mail joydell@rocketmail.com and we'll talk! Brawn Sandra - 2011-01-13 Hello, have you replaced bobbie yet I have got the perfect replacement contact me vial brawn.sandra@yahoo.com autumn - 2011-02-18 Hello Ian, I don't know from which country you are posting, but I may have a very convenient solution...I am a regular volunteer at the Whitby Humane society in ontario canada. In a house fire in fenland falls recently it was discovered that a local woman was a bit of a ''pet hoarder'' over 300 animals were removed from her home including a menagerie of over 130 birds, most of which are exotics. The entire bird population was sent to whitby where I now look after them all! Needless to say, that is quite a bit of work! I am currently housing TWO pairs of mated eastern rosellas who are quite content, and vet certified. Their cages are even side by side and there hae been absolutely no problems with bickering between either pair or around the other birds, even a juvenile congo african grey! I'm sure the ladies will give you a good price of a pair or a single as the shelter is unequipped to handle any volume of birds, let alone exotics such as there which need very regular attention. I am the only volunteer who will go near the poor guys or who knows anything about even the most basic of bird care, and so I feel it will be entirely up to me to rebuild the lives of these animals. Please contact the whitby humane society in ontario canada if you or anyone else who is a responsible bird owner has any interest. Thank you so very much. autumn Mrs. Ortiz - 2011-03-27 I happen to have four (4) Eastern Rosellas for sale. I bought the parents last summer as pets and they are now having babies. These babies were born on 1/8/11. I live in Edinburg, Texas. corina - 2011-06-07 I have two Rosella , I am moving and selling them they are about 2 years old, but I am in California my email is orellanacorina@verizon.net wings - 2011-08-24 Most birds won't accept a new mate if they have had a previous mate and have had a clutch or two. They will certainly be aggressive. You should remove immediately and put in separate cages side by side. If they cuddle next to one another..then try slowly and just a few minutes at a time. pay veryclose attention to them. see aggression, separate. they may not ever be suited for one another. blessings, wings Becky - 2011-10-21 Mrs Ortiz...not sure how this site works but my email is toothtest@aol.com I live in McAllen and I can wait till you hatch some more if you are out. I would love to hand raise. Please contact me. Reply

Lacey - 2011-03-21 I'm looking for an eastern rosella in san antonio, texas and can't seem to find any breeders can someone help me? PLEASE! Mrs. Ortiz - 2011-03-27 Hello Lacey, I live in Edinburg, TX and happen to have four (4) Eastern Rosellas for sale. I bought the parents last summer and they had these four babies that hatched on 1/8/11. Now they have three (3) new babies that hatched on 3/14/11. I only want to keep the parents as pets. I am selling the four right now for 200.00 each. corina - 2011-06-07 I have two Rosella , I am moving and selling them they are about 2 years old, but I am in California my email is orellanacorina@verizon.net Nancy McIntyre - 2011-06-26 I just bought one myself, I know the breeder here in West Lincoln. Jessica Baldwin Parsons - 2011-07-18 Mrs. Ortiz, I would be interested in one of your Rosellas if still available. Please contact me at barngoddess70@aol.com Trudie Koelman - 2012-01-15 I'm looking for a Golden Rosella in Nambia. Can someone help me. I"m from Luderitz. Reply

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