Eastern Rosella

Eastern Rosellas are often wary and timid, quick to take flight the moment they sense they’re being watched. The bird in this photo was perched quietly on a branch, enjoying the morning sun, its colourful feathers glowing in the soft light. To my surprise, it stayed perfectly still, giving me the rare chance to move closer and compose the shot with the eucalyptus tree framed naturally in the background. I’m really pleased with how this image turned out; it captures the Rosella’s stunning colours against a classic Australian backdrop.

Physical appearance

Eastern Rosellas are among Australia’s most strikingly patterned parrots. They display a bright red head, neck, and chest with white cheeks. Their wings and back feature a beautiful, scalloped pattern of black edged yellow feathers, while flashes of blue brighten the wings and tail.

Habitat

Eastern Rosellas inhabit open woodlands, grasslands with scattered trees, farmlands, and suburban parks along southeast Australia, including Tasmania. They adapt well to urban environments and are commonly seen in gardens and reserves where water and food sources are available.

Behaviour

Diet: Their diet includes seeds, fruits, berries, flowers, and insects. They often forage on the ground, moving in short hops while keeping a lookout for predators.
Calls: Rosellas have a distinctive call, often heard before the birds are spotted.
Shy but active: Eastern Rosellas can be cautious and flighty. They are highly active birds and tend to fly off quickly if disturbed.
Social habits: They are commonly seen in pairs, and outside the breeding season they may join small groups, especially around abundant food sources.

Breeding

Nesting: Eastern Rosellas nest in tree hollows, usually positioned several metres above the ground. The female handles most of the incubation duties while the male feeds her and guards the territory nearby.
Breeding period: Typically from August to February, though timing can vary with climate and food availability.