Australian states and extending into a ROSELLASj third. From the Kimberley Division of AN AUSTRALIAN VIEWPOINT Western Australia across the northern by Ken Kleesh, Eltham, parts of the Northern Territory into Victoria, Australia Queensland, where it occupies a small area of that state near the bottom of the Gulf of Carpentaria eastwards to Burketown" (Hutchins & Lovell). It also inhabits some islands such as Melville, Bathurst, and Milengimbi off the northern coast of Australia. Their habitat varies from coastal v the mangrove and pandanus thickets to Northern Rosella Platycercus venustus
Preamble travelled with Matthew Flinders on the In addition to the nominate species, ship the Investigator. Platycercus venustus venustus, there is It was first bred in the United a subspecies P. vensutus hilli which Kingdom in 1928 by (the late) Duke of Distribution ofthe Northern Rosella on the has violet-blue cheek patches instead Bedford. The first official breeding in Australian mainland. of white and underparts that differ captivity in South Australia was by slightly to venustus. The nominate race Alan H. Lendon in 1939. is the one kept in captivity in Australia savannah woodlands in the vicinity of (Hutchins & Lovell). However, Barry Introduction watercourses. The birds feed on the Hutchins advises me there are a few I first saw the Northern Rosella in pollen, nectar, and seeds of many Northern Rosellas held in captivity in the wild at Turkey Creek, Western native trees. They also take many Australia with violet cheek feathers Australia, in 1989 where my wife, species of grubs, beetles and other instead of white and the several (liv Audrey, and I were camped prior to insects, in addition to seed from native ing) specimens he has studied do not visiting the Bungle Bungles in the grasses. show the underparts coloration as Kimberley. A small party of three birds described for the subspecies P. v. hilli came in to drink at a tap which was Sexing in Australian Parrots: A Field and dripping. They would land on the tap The sexing of this rosella is difficult. Aviary Study. Although some avicul and take the water as it dripped from The adult female is similar to the adult turists call them hilli he is not con the tap. (Unfortunately the photograph male with the only noticeable differ vinced they are the hilli race (pers. I took of a Northern Rosella sitting on ence being in the size and colour of comm.). the tap is not good enough for repro the head. The head of the female is This attractive rosella is also called duction in Watchbird.) smaller and narrower and the black on Smutty Rosella and Brown's Parakeet. The Bungle Bungle Range covers the male is generally more intense It is well known by the latter name in approximately 791,000 acres in the than in the female. Europe and the United Kingdom top-end of Western Australia, with Immature birds are a duller version whereas in Australia its popular com numerous gorges, towering cliffs and of adult birds and may show red fleck mon name is Northern Rosella. It was canyons. Either driving through them ing in the black of the head. They take discovered in the early 1800s by the or flying over them, the total structure 12 months to attain adult plumage. Scottish biologist, Robert Brown, who is one of beehive-shaped domes of A special feature of this rosella is sandstone. It must rate as one of the that both the adult male and adult most fascinating of the National Parks female have a black forehead, crown, in Australia. nape, lores and ear-patches. In addi tion there is little plumage variation in ~ ~~:U?b~~~s;t~Xs~~?e~~~d Distribution and adult male and female throughout the features a full range of quality merchandise for Habitat in the Wild year. bird owners, enthusiast and nature lovers. In its native state "the northern As an avicultural subject this bird is 285 Liberty Street, NE #210' Salem. OR 97301 Call (503) 585-3395 • fax (503) 585-3574 rosella exists in a monsoonal climate unique because of its unusual col www.absolutelyaussie.com across the northern parts of two oration of black, blue, yellow, and red.
26 MarchiApril 1999 Feeding Summary psittacines - especially the strikingly r feed my NOithern Rosellas a vari Although a popular and hardy avi colored rosellas. ety ofseed including sunflower, hulled cultural species in its home country of References oats, canary,Japanese millet and white Australia, the Northern Rosella is "not Hutchins, B. R. & Lovell, R. H. Australian (French) millet. They readily take seed as commonly kept in comparison to Parrots: A Field and Aviary Study. ing grasses and apple which I provide. the other species of the genus; as it is, The Avicultural Society of Australia, Melbourne, Australia: 1985. r also supply a small amount ofsoaked usually, less readily available than seed on a daily basis. Cuttlefish bone, many others" (Hutchins & Lovell). Hutchins, Barry. Personal communication 1998. shellgrit and clean water should be However, from my experience, r can Acknowledgement provided at all times. They also appre recommend this species as an attrac Map:)ohn E. Buchan, Glen Waverley, Austrdlia. ciate the addition of eucalyptus, acacia Reprinted from Australian Parrots: A Field and tive and interesting parrot for those Aviary Study with permission of the Avicultural or grevillea branches in flower and will who are interested in Australian Society of Auslrdlia. ~ spend much time nibbling the flowers and leaves.
Breeding My pair of Northern Rosellas were Presents purchased in March 1995 and were PARROT SPECIALTV FOODS placed in a fully roofed aviary measur For Breeders & Hobbyists valy ing 16 feet long, 4 feet wide and , Genuinely Balanced Formulas of Vital & Pure Ingredients, Resulting in Foods ing in height from 6-9 feet. They were with High Biological Value, to Help Ensure an Active, Healthy Life for your Bird. purchased as a mature breeding pair, along with their nestbox which undoubtedly assisted in their breeding DayDm! performance that began in May of the Baby Bird Formula and Supplement same year. They laid a clutch of four B-2255 jar, 650g (1.32 Ib) A new Baby Formula for hatchlings and a digestive aid throughout baby rearing phase. Mix with eggs, three ofwhich hatched and were regular formula as per directions. Contains beneficial bacteria, and digesting enzymes with protein of high biological value. reared to maturity in July. Also excellent for sick adult birds needing supportive gavage The nestbox measured 8 inches x 8 feeding. inches x 18 inches deep. In the bottom lrROIPIlCAN.o of the nest r placed a mixture of saw Formulated Food dust, rotten wood, and earth which Special Hand-Feeding Formula for Babies was rammed together. Heat was sup Micro-ground Extruded Formula plied to the side of the nesting cham 8-2261 1 kg (2.2 Ib) 8-2262 5 kg (11 Ib) Natural Extruded Granules ber by a 60 watt electric globe Comes in two granule sizes: Cockatiel and Parrot. enclosed in a 30 ounce fruit tin. The Tropican contains seven different grains and nuts with natural colors and fruit flavors for maximum nutrition and palatability. Less powder waste, globe was turned on as soon as the along with higher caloric value, make it very economical to feed. young hatched and kept on until they Life- Time/Maintenance Granules Cockatiel: B-2527 5 kg (11 Ib) B-2528 11.34 kg (25 Ib) .fledged. This heating was found nec Parrot: B-2627 5 kg (11 Ib) B-2628 11.34 kg (25 Ib) essary because the female leaves the High-Performance/Breeding Granutes Cockatiel: B-2532 5 kg (11 Ib) B-2533 11.34 kg (25 Ib) Parrot: B-2622 5 kg (11 Ib) B-2623 11.34 kg (25 Ib) young for long periods of time to feed, and being in the middle of a GonrDlet Seeds, Fruit, Nut & Vegetable Mix Melbourne winter, the young quickly Fortified with Tropican lose body warmth. Rich variety of fun Parrot food, can be soaked with warm Following this successful nesting, water to rehydrate fruits and vegetables. Cockatiel: B-2804 5kg (11 Ib) Parrot: B-2809 4.5 kg (10 Ib) the hen went down again in the spring when she reared another two young to maturity in November. The aviary r housed and bred my Concentrated Full Spectrum Vitamin, Minerai Northern Rosellas in is of timber con and Limiting Amino Acid Supplement. Sprinkle over fruit and veggies for birds on seed/legume-based diets. struction with a rear walkway. At no B-2106 Screw-top Jar, 0.45 kg (lib) B-2110 Bucket, 2.2 kg (5 Ib) . stage did they chew the timber frame. All foods are packed in Gas-Flushed Air Barrier Bags Protects package from environmental deterioration. Carbon Dioxide gas ~f\OV£O The addition of an enclosed safety slows oxidation of nutrients and prevents bug infestation. porch (i.e. walkway) is, in my opinion Exceptional Quality Control Each batch is tested for quality and guaranteed analysis. Fed to HARI'S birds ~ - and from my experience, a wise before being released. Smaller Consumer Sizes Also Available. addition to any aviary used for housing HARI'S WEB SITE: http://www.pubnix.net/-mhagen/ ______~
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