Eastern Rosella

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.