TopFamily
Psittacidae
Genus
Platycercus
Species
elegans
Threats/Control Methods - Regional
Their woodland habitat is listed as an Endangered Ecological Community due to land clearing, firewood collection and weed and pest invasions. The main areas of potential future conflict between urban land use and woodland conservation are around the Gungahlin area and at Jerrabomberra/Symonston.
Threats/Control Methods - Local
Aggressive Common Mynas (Acridotheres tristis ) are known to displace Crimson Rosellas from their nests. As hollow-bearing trees become harder to find in the suburbs, competition with introduced Honeybees (Apis mellifera) for nests can also be a problem.
Local/Urban Actions
Residents are encouraged to help protect the endangered grassy woodlands around the ACT by not collecting firewood, by removing weeds from gardens and by joining in local conservation efforts by community groups such as Landcare. Rosellas will also use nest boxes successfully for breeding in the suburbs. An entrance diameter of 8cm and an inside diameter of 20cm is recommended in a vertical nest box with a side entrance at least 10m up. Ensure the nest box is visible and pest birds such as Common Mynas (Acridotheres tristis ) or Starlings (Sternus vulgaris) are not using it.
Common Names
Crimson Rosella, Red Lowry, Mountain Lowry
Distinguishing Features
They are a medium to large-sized bird, 32-36cm. There are many different colour forms of the Crimson Rosella, however the birds in the Canberra region fit their name and display bold crimson (red) plumage. The species has bright blue cheeks, tail feathers and flight feathers, while the back feathers are black edged with red. Young birds gradually gain the bright colours over 15 weeks.
Survey Techniques
Call and visual identification.
Species Call
Most commonly a two-syllabled "cussik-cussik" or harsh screeches and metallic whistles.
Similar Species
The adult birds look similar to the Australian King-Parrot (Alisterus scapularis ), however their blue cheeks and pale bill colours make them distinct.
TopDistribution
Different populations spread across the east of the Australian mainland, from Queensland across to eastern SA. The species has also been introduced into Norfolk Island and New Zealand.
Country of Origin
Australia.
Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional
The populations around Canberra have doubled since 1981 (COG).
Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National
Secure, not listed under the EPBC Act 1999.
LSCCES Population
The Crimson Rosella was found in high numbers across Sullivan's Creek Catchment.
Associated vegetation community
Across Australia, the Crimson Rosella is associated with tall eucalypt forest and wet forest. In the ACT however, they are found in home gardens across the suburbs, in parklands or open grasslands. Their regional preferred habitat is the grassy woodland surrounding Canberra.
Limiting Resources
The species requires a plentiful supply of mature eucalypt trees with high tree hollows.
Breeding
The Crimson Rosella's nest is a tree hollow, located high in a tree, and lined with wood shavings and dust. A clutch size of 5 is usual, with an incubation time of 20 days and a nesting period of 35 days. In Canberra, the adults are on nests and inspecting hollows from August to October, with dependant young from November to February.
Behaviour
They are conspicuous birds due to their bright colours, noisy calls and high tolerance of humans.
Functional Group
Food Species
Crimson Rosellas will happily eat from seed trays and are also known to accept hand feeding. Natural foods include seeds of eucalypts, grasses and shrubs, as well as insects and some tree blossoms.
Predators
Both domestic and feral Cats (Felis catus) in the region often prey upon young Crimson Rosellas.
Interesting Fact
Crimson Rosellas are not only red, but can be yellow or orange. Yellow and red birds produce orange offspring.
References - (reader suitability of references, P=Primary teachers, S=Secondary students, T=Tertiary students and researchers)
Books:Delgale, J. 1997. Attracting Birds to your Garden in Australia. New Holland Publishing. NSW. P, S, T
Pizzey, G. 2000. The Graham Pizzey & Frank Knight Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Angus & Robertson, Sydney. P, S, T
Veerman, P. 2003. Canberra Birds: A report on the first 21 years of the garden bird survey. Philip Veerman and Canberra Ornithologists Group. Canberra. S, T
Internet: Birds in Backyards. 2006. [online]. Available at:http://www.birdsinbackyards.net P, S, T
Canberra Ornithological Group (COG). 2004. Birds of Canberra Gardens. COG and the ACT Department of Urban Services. [online]. Available at:http://garden.canberrabirds.org.au/ P, S, T
Online Publications: Environment ACT. 2006. Yellow Box/Red Gum Grassy Woodland (An Endangered Ecological Community). ACTION PLAN No.10. [online]. Available at:http://www.environment.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/13428/actionplans10.pdf S, T
Nix, H. and Cunningham, R. 2006. Birds of the Lower Sullivans Creek Catchment, Canberra ACT. Prepared for the Life in the Suburbs project using data from the Lower Sullivans Creek Catchment Ecological Survey (LSCCES). Australian National University. Canberra. [online]. Available at: http://www.lifeinthesuburbs.com.au/category.php?id=65 S, T
Olsen, P. et al. 2005. The State of Australia's Birds 2006: Invasive Species. Supplement to Wingspan 16:4. Birds Australia. [online]. Available at: http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/soab/SOAB2006.pdf S, T