Green Rosella
Encyclopedia
The Green Rosella or Tasmanian Rosella (Platycercus caledonicus) is endemic to Tasmania
and Bass Strait
islands. At 37 cm (14.5 in) long it is the largest species of the Rosella genus. The male and female are generally similar in plumage, being predominantly black, green, and yellow in colour with a red band above the beak and blue cheeks; however, some females have red-orange colouration on the front of their necks. Its diet is composed of seeds, fruit, berries and flowers, as well as insects and insect larvae.
in 1788. The species specific epithet was derived from the mistaken belief the bird was collected from New Caledonia
. Alternate common names include Tasmanian Rosella, Yellow-bellied or Yellow-breasted Parakeet, and Mountain Parrot.
islands, and occurs in most habitats with some form of tree cover up to 1500 m above sea level.
and Cyathodes
, and even leaf buds of the Common Osier (Salix viminalis). The seeds of the Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata
) are also eaten.
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
and Bass Strait
Bass Strait
Bass Strait is a sea strait separating Tasmania from the south of the Australian mainland, specifically the state of Victoria.-Extent:The International Hydrographic Organization defines the limits of the Bass Strait as follows:...
islands. At 37 cm (14.5 in) long it is the largest species of the Rosella genus. The male and female are generally similar in plumage, being predominantly black, green, and yellow in colour with a red band above the beak and blue cheeks; however, some females have red-orange colouration on the front of their necks. Its diet is composed of seeds, fruit, berries and flowers, as well as insects and insect larvae.
Taxonomy
The Green Rosella was described by the German naturalist Johann Friedrich GmelinJohann Friedrich Gmelin
Johann Friedrich Gmelin was a German naturalist, botanist, entomologist, herpetologist and malacologist.- Education :Johann Friedrich Gmelin was born as the eldest son of Philipp Friedrich Gmelin in 1748 in Tübingen...
in 1788. The species specific epithet was derived from the mistaken belief the bird was collected from New Caledonia
New Caledonia
New Caledonia is a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and about from Metropolitan France. The archipelago, part of the Melanesia subregion, includes the main island of Grande Terre, the Loyalty Islands, the Belep archipelago, the Isle of...
. Alternate common names include Tasmanian Rosella, Yellow-bellied or Yellow-breasted Parakeet, and Mountain Parrot.
Description
Measuring 37 cm (14.5 in) in length, the adult Green Rosella has a yellow head and underparts with blue cheeks and red frontal band above the beak. The feathers of the back and wings are black with narrow green margins, the is rump yellow-olive, and the long tail is green with blue outer feathers. The wings are green and violet blue. The irises are dark brown and the bill is pale-grey. The legs are grey. The male and female have similar external appearances, except the female may have an orange-red hue in the feathers on the front of the neck, and the female has a smaller beak than the male. and Juvenile birds have an under-wing stripe, which is not present in the adults. Juveniles have dull yellow-green head and underparts and dull green upperparts.Distribution and habitat
The Green Rosella is found across Tasmania and Bass StraitBass Strait
Bass Strait is a sea strait separating Tasmania from the south of the Australian mainland, specifically the state of Victoria.-Extent:The International Hydrographic Organization defines the limits of the Bass Strait as follows:...
islands, and occurs in most habitats with some form of tree cover up to 1500 m above sea level.
Feeding
The Green Rosella is predominantly herbivorous, consuming seeds, berries, nuts and fruit, as well as flowers, but may also eat insect larvae and insects such as psyllids. They have also partaken of the berries of the common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), as well as CoprosmaCoprosma
Coprosma is a genus of 108 species that are found in New Zealand , Hawaii , Borneo, Java, New Guinea, islands of the Pacific Ocean to Australia and the Juan Fernández Is. Many species are small shrubs with tiny evergreen leaves, but a few are small trees and have much larger leaves...
and Cyathodes
Cyathodes
Cyathodes is a genus of shrubs within the heath family. A characteristic feature of the genus is a deeply five-cleft calyx.Species include:*Cyathodes dealbata R.Br.*Cyathodes glauca Labill.*Cyathodes platystoma C.M.Weiller...
, and even leaf buds of the Common Osier (Salix viminalis). The seeds of the Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata
Acacia dealbata
Acacia dealbata is a species of Acacia, native to southeastern Australia in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory.-Description:...
) are also eaten.