More plaudits for Tiritiri Matangi
Date posted: 15-Jul-2019
Recognition of the wonderful experience visitors have when visiting the Island h..
Results of the 2019 Photo Competition
Date posted: 15-Jul-2019
The results of this year's competition have now been decided. Click here (/2019-photo-co..
Lighthouse Open Day
Date posted: 30-Apr-2019
Our historic lighthouse, signal station and diaphonic foghorn will all be on dis..
We need a new Treasurer
Date posted: 08-Apr-2019
The Supporters need a new treasurer to take over in September when Kevin Vaughan..
2019 Concert
Date posted: 05-Feb-2019
OrigiNZ, the tartan taonga are returning for the 2019 concert.
Click..
Tiri's three unique foghorns
Date posted: 01-Feb-2019
Our next social event will take place on Monday 18th March when Carl Hayson and ..
Young Conservation Superstars win awards!
Date posted: 27-Jan-2019
Gabriel Barbosa and teacher Kate Asher, a team leader who co..
Entries for the 2019 photo competition
Date posted: 19-Jan-2019
We are now taking entries for the 2019 photographic competition. You can enter u..
Hihi volunteer needed
Date posted: 18-Oct-2018
Would you like to volunteer with the Island's hihi team and learn from them how ..
2019 Calendars now available
Date posted: 05-Sep-2018
The new 2019 calendars are now available and this year's is better than ever! Th..
Eastern Rosella
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Scientific name: |
Platycercus eximius |
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Conservation status: |
Introduced and naturalised |
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Mainland status: |
Locally common in North Island. Small numbers in South Island |
| Size: | 32cm, 110g |
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Lifespan: |
Unknown |
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Breeding: |
October-January |
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Diet: |
Invertebrates, larvae, sandhoppers, and also some seeds |
This brightly coloured long-tailed parrot was introduced to New Zealand from Australia and is usually seen in pairs or small groups.
The head, upper breast and undertail is scarlet and the cheeks and beak are white; the back and underparts are yellowish green, mottled black on the back; the wings are blue and the tail is dark bluish green edged pale blue. They have a wide range of calls, the most often heard being a high melodic 'ping'. They also chatter when feeding and in flight.
Eastern rosellas eat a wide range of seeds, fruits, flowers, buds and shoots and occasional insects.
Breeding is between October and January. They usually nest in cavities in trees or dead tree fern trunks, laying 4–6 white eggs which the female incubates for 22–24 days. The chicks fledge at around 30 days and remain with their parents for several months.
They are often present in small but fluctuating numbers on Tiritiri Matangi.
Find out more about the eastern rosella at New Zealand Birds Online.
Photography by: Dr Kerry Rodgers ©
References: Heather, B.D.; Robertson, H.A. 2000 The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. Auckland, Viking.