The Crimson Rosella is native to eastern and south-eastern Australia and has been introduced to New Zealand and Norfolk Island. It is commonly found in, but not restricted to, mountain forests and gardens. The Yellow and Adelaide Rosellas are now regarded as subspecies. The greenish ones, sometimes with crimson blotches, are juveniles. Crimson Rosellas’ calls are chatters or bell-like “tinks”.

Their nests are deep hollows with no lining except wood pulp from the hollow. They lay 5 to 8 white eggs. The female looks after the young for the first 6 days, then the male joins in. They eat mainly seeds and can be heard in tree-tops cracking open gumnuts, but eat some insects too.

Size: 32 - 37 cm

Photo: Mark Trinham. Illustration: Mark Trinham.