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Crimson RosellaAlternative names: "Crimson Parrot", "Pennant's Parakeet", "Red Lory", "Mountain Lory" Size: 32-37 cm |
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Habitat |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
Crimson Rosellas populate the south-east of the Australian continent, i.e. most of VIC and coastal NSW, up to the NSW/QLD border, and the Great Dividing Range. In addition, they are found in part of the lower Murray-Darling basin, to about Adelaide, SA. Within that range several races are distinguised (see a field guide for details). They are not found anywhere else (not in Tasmania either).
Crimson Rosellas prefer to stay in wooded areas, i.e. in practise the hill ranges, of south-east Australia. We have spotted them at altitudes of up to 1400 m. Unlike many 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.
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Sightings |
First spotted by us in Warrumbungle National Park, west of Coonabarabran, NSW, in 2004.
Subsequently seen in various parts of Mt. Kaputar National Park, east of Narrabri, NSW, 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 Great Dividing Range, in the area from Armidale to Dorrigo, NSW, 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.
Also seen in the area 25 km north-west of Gloucester, NSW, in September 2011.
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Photos |
Near-frontal view of a Crimson Rosella
Lateral view of a Crimson Rosella
Here the same bird as above, stretching one of its wings and
thereby displaying the full range of its colours
Lateral view, different posture
Dorsal view of a Crimson Rosella
Here another one drinking from a mountain creek at 1100 m altitude
Here a demonstration of how to take off towards the back...
Hybrids
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.
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Breeding information |
| Breeding season: Oct - Dec | Eggs: 4 - 8 | Incubation period: 20 days | Fledging age: 35 days |
Since many Crimson Rosellas live at relatively high altitudes, their breeding season can start later than those of other species.
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Nest |
| Type: Tree hollow | Material: Wood dust | Height above ground: 2 - 15 m |
Entrance to the nesting hollow of a pair of Crimson Rosellas;
it is not clear whether they finally got to nest there, because
ownership was also contested by a pair of Australian King-Parrots
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Eggs |
| Size: 29 x 25 mm | Colour: White | Shape: Rounded |
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Behaviour |
| Social behaviour: Territorial | Mobility: Sedentary/dispersive | Elementary unit: Pair/family clan |
Since, as is the case for many other parrot species, female Crimson Rosellas take on the incubation duties, they rely on the males to feed them. Therefore, they bond with their mates and test their abilities by having them bring food before starting the incubation process.
Male Crimson Rosella feeding his partner
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Food |
Crimson Rosella feeding on the flowers of ivy
Crimson Rosella feeding on a lawn
More frontal view of the same bird as above
