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Crimson RosellaAlternative names: "Crimson Parrot", "Pennant's Parakeet", "Red Lory", "Mountain Lory" |
Sightings
First spotted by us in Warrumbungle National Park, west of Coonabarabran, in 2004.
Subsequently seen in various parts of Mt. Kaputar National Park, east of Narrabri, New South Wales, most notably (in large numbers) in the area of Upper Bullawa Creek, some 40 km east of Narrabri. In February 2009 also seen 30 km east of Narrabri, where there are also Australian King-Parrots. This is the first time we have seen both species in the same habitat.
Spotted also 20 km west of Barraba, NSW, in January 2009.
Also sighted on a trip to the east of the dividing range, in the area from Armidale to Dorrigo, New South Wales, in and around rainforests.
Crimson Rosellas were spotted by us again in July 2009, at Girraween National Park in southern QLD. Here a bird was observed that, as seen from behind, had the wing and body plumage of a Crimson Rosella, but the head and nape of the neck were yellow, as a Pale-headed Rosella's. This may have been a juvenile bird.
Photos
Lateral view of a Crimson Rosella (click on image for larger version)
Frontal view of a Crimson Rosella (click on image for larger version)
More lateral posture (click on image for larger version)
Crimson Rosella feeding on a lawn (click on image for larger version)
More frontal view of the same bird as above (click on image for larger version)
Crimson Rosella seen from behind (click on image for larger version)
Crimson Rosella seen from behind (click on image for larger version)
Habits
Crimson Rosellas prefer to stay in the hill ranges of south-east Australia. Unlike other parrots, we have not seen them venture out into the plains, including the Narrabri area, at all yet. They appear to prefer dense forest over more open country. Even where we lived from 2006-2008, in the foothills of the Nandewar Range, just a few kilometers outside the contiguous forest, they never appeared. Usually not seen in a part of the foothills of the Nandewar Range where Australian King-Parrots are numerous.
Although not 100% sure, because unable to obtain a photo for identification at the time, we think that we have also spotted a hybrid between a Crimson Rosella and an Eastern Rosella at Girraween NP (southern QLD) in July 2009.