ROSELLAS; is referred to as the Lower Mount Lofty Range and includes some beautiful AN AUSTRALIAN VIEWPOINT country of rolling hills and valleys with \. by Barry R. Hutchins permanent creeks and small rivers, Northfield, South Australia, Australia with an annual rainfall of approxi mately 24 inches. Much of this area which has a wide range of trees and shrubs is used for dairy farming and Adelaide Rosella mixed farming but, probably because Platycercus elegans adelaidae of its somewhat hilly terrain, many Gould 1840 trees have been left providing an ideal habitat for the subspecies which, if not increasing numerically, are at least Introduction The feathers of the mantle and back holding their own. Many towns exist or many years there has been are black, edged with orange-red, within their range and suburban conjecture whether the Adelaide being more orange-red than black. Adelaide is fast spreading into the F. Rosella is a true species or a The underparts are bright red with the southern areas but, because people subspecies of the Crimson Rosella upperparts paler than the Crimson like to grow fruit and almonds, it is Platycercus elegans elegans. The latter Rosella P. elegans elegans. unlikely that their presence will have follows the usual taxonomic nomen Adult Female. The adult female is any great effect on the avian popula clature and for the purpose ofthis arti similar to the male but the head is tion. In latter years people have begun cle I, too, will treat the Adelaide smaller and the upper mandible is nar- to study the bird's environment and Rosella as a subspecies with different are inclined, where possible, to leave forms (i.e. races). While saying this, as many large trees as is practicable, there are minor character differences between the Crimson Rosella and the Platycercus elegans adelaidae Adelaide Rosella. Crimson Rosellas are Gould 1840 more tolerant to humans in the wild, Also known as Adelaide Rosella. they readily accept feeding stations in parks and gardens and will put their Description trust in "the hand that feeds them." Adult Male. The adult male of this Adelaide Rosellas are more distant subspecies is approximately 14 inches to humans. They tend to be forever in length, The forehead and crown is alert and could not be classed as toler Distribution of Adelaide Rosella, red, nape and side of the neck orange ant of humans. Crimson Rosellas tend f1eurieuensis, adelaidae, subadelaidae yellow marked with red, cheek patches to spend more time on the ground violet-blue; hindneck, mantle, scapulars during the winter months foraging for rower and smaller. and back black, with each feather mar food, compared with Adelaide Rosellas Immatures. Immatures are similar gined with varying shades ofcolor from which spend more daylight hours in to P. elegans adelaidae and are olive-yellow, red, dull brick-red to yel the canopy of shrubs and trees. This described under "immatures" of that lowish green. Underparts vary from could purely be a feeding pattern as species. scarlet to orange-yellow, rump and the vegetation is so variable over the upper tail-coverts olive-yellow marked distribution of both groups of birds. Distribution with red; primaries black with dark blue For readers who are interested in P. e..fleurieuensis occupies an area on the outer webs; median upper wing the different subspecies, I have given a embracing Cape Jervis to Victor coverts black, bend ofwing and secon descriptive word picture of their Harbor and Goolwa to Happy Valley daries pale blue. The central tail feath plumage, coloration, distribution and Reservoir south of Adelaide. Opinions ers are dark olive, washed with green habitat. This is followed by the hous differ on this northerly boundary but with the remainder being pale blue ing and captive breeding sections. as there is a great variation in color tipped with white; bill is a greyish-horn with this and its allied subspecies, a color, iris dark brown and legs grayish. Subspecies distinct limit of the distribution is diffi Adult Female. The adult female is Platycercus elegansj1.eurieuensis cult to define. I have, therefore, similar to the male with the body color Ashby 1917 included the area where numbers of being just as variable. The head is Generally referred to as Adelaide these brightly colored birds are found, smaller and upper mandible narrower. Rosella or rosies. even if others of less brilliance do Immatures. The nape, mantle and inhabit the same area. back are greenish-olive and the rump Description: is olive-green; cheek patches violet Adult Male. The adult male is Habitat blue, red frontal band extending onto approximately 13.5 inches in length. The area inhabited by.fleurieuensis crown, breast and abdomen greenish-
42 May/June 1999 buff with varying amounts of orange color to another produces many vari available, as is the seed of the Wild red feathers; the primaries are black able forms, several of which may Artichoke Cynara cardunculus. The with upper outer webs blue, secon occur in one flock. This is a feature of seeds of Rye Grass and Clover, plus daries black with outer webs greenish the Adelaide subspecies extending to other pasture grasses, are also taken blue, the underwing-stripe is evident; and beyond Clare in South Australia, and standing crops of oats and, to a the bend of the wing violet-blue shad which also appears to prefer higher lesser degree, wheat at times are eaten. ing to pale blue; under tail-coverts are terrain with large trees, however, the In this case the rosellas do not create a olive-green with orange-red bands altitude of the hills seldom exceeds great deal of damage and few farmers, near the base of each feather; tail is 1950 feet above sea level. Some birds if any, complain about the grain taken. greenish-blue. of this race follow the large eucalypt They feed on the berries of Young birds assume full adult gum trees which skirt the Murray River Hawthorn and other members of the plumage with their first complete molt to the River Murray upstream from crataegus genus, but it does appear when they are about 12-13 months old. Mannum. A similar occurrence also that they are actually devouring seeds takes place along Burra Creek further rather than the flesh surrounding them. Distribution north. This tree-lined partially perenni Adelaide Rosellas are often seen on This subspecies is not an isolated al creek runs from the vicinity of the the outer fringes and along firebreaks group, it is more likely a clinal varia copper town of Burra through some in the many Pinus radiata plantations tion with a continuous gradual change fairly arid country entering the River throughout their distribution. The birds from red to yellow with the birds usu Murray slightly upstream from the are seldom found very far into the pine ally referred to as Adelaide Rosellas town of Mannum. In these areas some forest, but in places are quite numer being, what can be imagined to be, in mingling of the subspecies Adelaide ous on the outer perimeters. the center of an intermediate range and jlaveolus (Yellow Rosella) occurs Several specimens of a lutino muta hetween those two color races; the and a numher of birds showing signs tion of this subspecies have been redder forms being in the wetter of transitional coloration can be noted. found in the Wild, the general body southerly areas and the more yellow In a area adjacent to the Marne River color being yellow, the normal blue ish forms in the arid northerly limits of there is evidence ofthe hybridization of areas showing white with the red the range. adelaidae and the Mallee Ringneck remaining as in the normal birds. The transition from one primary Parrot Bamardius z. bamm-di. Before the protection laws were passed for this subspecies, some were ~ Habitat taken and attempts were made to ~ The Adelaide Rosella inhabits the breed from them and, although some ~ area north, south, east, and west of the progress was made, the results were «; ~ City ofAdelaide which includes part of very disappointing. It is important to ~ the Mount Lofty Ranges, including state that, in the case of the yellow o & Mount Lofty itself. This range is also at birds taken, each one that was times referred to as the Adelaide Hills. removed (from the wild) had just left The distrihution of this suhspecies the nest and would soon have suc includes many of the southern and cumbed had it not been found. eastern suhurhs where they are quite Unfortunately their eyeSight was plentiful. The fruit-growing areas extremely poor, and instead of having through the ranges, the Barossa Valley to be captured, each one was just (one of Australia's best known wine picked up out of the grass. Several cin producing areas), and northwards to namon Adelaide Rosellas have been about Clare where fruit and grapes are taken into captivity under permit dur also grown. ing the past few years but captive Although the hirds do considerahle breeding has been slow. damage to orchards (like other mem hers of the genus) they show little Platycercus elegans subadelaidae respect for the effolts of fruit growers Mathews 1912 to keep them from the ripe or semi Although known as the Adelaide ripe fruit. In actual fact they rely great Rosella, this subspecies is usually ly upon the seeds of grasses for their referred to as the Flinders Range pop suhsistence including the introduced ulation or race. Dandelion Taraxacum. offici11.ale and Capeweed Arclolbeca calendula, from Description Adelaide Rosella Ilesting bollow in eucalypt which they often extract the seeds Adult Male. Adult males, especially gum tree, Barossa Goldfields, Soutb from the wool-like covering when they those ofthe more northerly region, dif Australia. Tbis long establisbed lIesl, wbicb is used eacb season, is appro.i:imately sevell are in season, The seed of Milk Thistle fer from P. c. adelaidae as they are feet abol'e tbe ground lel'e/. S011.cbus oleraceus is also eaten when usually paler. The hindneck, mantle,
the afa WATCHBIRD 43 scapulars, and back are black, each it the transition from the subspecies consist of square or round galvanized feather edged with pale buff that is adelaidae. s~eel with the sides and roof of heavy slightly yellowish; breast yellow, flbro-sheeting or galvanized steel Habitat sheets. tinged with orange extending to the Most of the Flinders Ranges (which under tail-eoverts. The red frontal band I realize many aviculturists prefer to has become an extensive and popular house their birds in suspended aviaries merges into the crown. tourist attraction) are in a low rainfall Adult Female. Differs from the and I'm sure there are plenty of them area but the rugged terrain, spectacular male, but only slightly, breast col in the USA from which a design can be b~uff and rocky gorges, create and pro oration is usually more orange, copied if this is the preferred form of Vide permanent and semi-permanent although it can vary; the head is small housing. With either construction I waterholes. In supplying water for their er and upper mandible narrower. favor a rear covered-in corridor with stock, ranchers assist the needs of the Immatures. Immatures of the sub entrance at the rear ofthe aviaries. This birds, therefore water is not usually a adelaidae race have a red frontal band design minimizes disturbance to the problem within the subspecies' range. that extends onto the crown' nape birds and, from my observations As with all the other rosellas, the seeds mantle and back pale yellowish-olive: seems to be less stress'ful for the birds: of grasses and weeds form the greater rump a paler tint ofolive. Cheek patch The covered area can be used as a part of their diet, however, the seed of es violet-blue; underparts greenish-buff food preparation site. other plants are also eaten. In times of with orange-red feathers, the latter drought this race would have to rely on varying between individuals. The captive Breeding other seeds to a greater degree than the immature birds of the southern area In South Australia, breeding of the races which occupy areas that have a within the distribution of this sub Adelaide Rosella can occur from better and more reliable rainfall. The species do not differ greatly from August to January. Of the hundreds of most predominant tree in the area is immatures ofthe subspecies adelaidae. nests (of this species) that I have stud the River Red Gum Eucalyptus cameld ied in the wild rarely was one located ulensis (which is similar to those Distribution less than seven feet above ground referred to for the other subspecies). It This subspecies continues north level. They were always in a living or i~ a fo~ source of seed-bearing nut wards from the northern-most ill dead tree, although suburban councils like fruits. Large areas of Native Pine defined limits of the range of the pre have, ofrecent times, allowed nestbox Callitris columellaris are also present ceding race, continuing into the es to be placed high up in suitable trees and they, too, can provide additional Flinders Ranges and areas of close within their area because ofthe decline seed as does the Mulga Acacia aneura proximity. The transition from one race of old trees with natural hollows. and Beefwood Grevillea striata. Other to another is not abrupt, but rather a Either a hollow log or wooden nest shrubs which supply seed include gradual mergence of one form into box is suitable for the Adelaide Rosella. Hopbush Dodonaea spp., Tobacco another similar to the mergence of If the aviary is large enough one of Bush Nicotiana glauca, Emu Bush .fleurieuensis to adelaidae, with birds each type would give the birds a Eremophila longijolia, Bullock Bush showing a predominance of yellow in choice. Nestboxes can be 20 inches Heterodendrum oleifolium, Camel the more northerly limits oftheir range. and 5 inches square (inside measure Bush and Dead Finish - plus all In this area the degree of color varia ments). I recommend the placement of species of acacias. Smaller plants that tion from one individual to another is hardwood slats on the inside of the supply varying amounts ofseed for the less prominent than it is in the lower front for easy access to and from the subspecies survival are Wild Melon parts of their distribution. It is consid n~sting chamber. I prefer the top to be Citrul~us vulgaris, Spinifex triodia spp., ered that subadelaidae occupies an hmged, or a sliding door on the side of Salvation Jane Echium lycopsis (also area northwards from about Clare to at the box, for use as an inspection door. known as Paterson's Curse) and, after least midway into the Flinders Ranges. A suitable hole, slightly larger than the floods, Wild Dock and native Holly I have observed them to be quite plen body ofthe male, should be made with H?ck Lavatera plebeja. The many tiful in the Quorn-Hawker area which a small platform or perch placed three mistletoes which grow on native trees includes Warren and Buckaringa inches below the entrance. I suggest also provide food in the form ofberries Gorges and parts ofPartacoona Station th~t nesting logs be 24-30 inches deep, and seed. northwards in Wilpena Pound, fro~ With an inside diameter ofeight inches, where they (apparently) become rarer. Housing and hung vertically with the top left Per~onal observations for a continuous When constructing an aviary for open thus allowing full access into the p~nod of approximately two years rosellas it must be remembered most top ofthe hollow or, if preferred a sim failed to record them in the Arkaroola ~f them can chew through netting if it ilar entrance hole and lid as ;ecom area of the northern Flinders Ranges. IS not a suitable gauge. I suggest 16 mended for a nestbox can be used. They are much more numerous in the standard wire gauge, galvanized 1 inch Over the years I have tried various southern areas of their distribution square. A suitable flight area of 12 feet combinations of nesting materials for (around Gladstone, Laura, and lon~ .x 4 feet wide x 8 feet high, in many species of parrots and have now Wilmington), but these birds are vary addltl~n a shelter area 4 feet deep x 4 reverted to using only untreated natur ing degrees ofa color range that exhib- feet Wide x 8 feet high. Materials can al wood shavings. This medium is 2.5
44 May/June 1999 Tbe Adelaide Rosella. a back 1. feu. 771£S species can be quite variable The sClIne hird/ron? the.front. ill color andpattern. inches deep, well packed down, and ly independent at this tage. hulled oat and cracked maize. once the birds commence nesting the From the time of fledging Adelaide Foods that can be varied daily nesting chamber needs to be checked Rosella commence a slow molt, include gra stems and seeding grass in case further material is required. attaining adult plumage by 14 month, heads, silverbeet, apple, sliced carrot, If they commence breeding if' the with the back being the last area to be grapes, and corn on the cob. first half of their breeding season, dou completed. It is not uncommon for In addition I recommend the regu ble hrooding usually occurs, and a either sex to breed when they are only lar use of soaked seed particularly dur plentiful variety of food - even twice 12 months old but breeding is more ing the breeding eason. Mineral grit daily (morning and afternoon) can natural in their second year. and cuttlebone also contribute to their entice them to a second brood. well-being. Fresh clean water should This type of feeding is not just for Feeding he available daily as rosellas enjoy rosellas but can be used to great Rosellas usually feed on a wide vari bathing. advantage with other parrot species. ety of foods in the wild, i.e., insects, The clutch of eggs varie from four fruit, blossom, seeding gras e - ripe Bibliography Condon. H. T. Checkli t of the Birds of Australia to five, sometimes six, but rarely more and green, nuts, shoots ofshrubs, buds Part lon-Pas erine. Royal than six are laid. Incubation varies ofapples, pears, almonds and walnuts, Au. trala ian Ornithologi ts Union: from 19-21 days and the young can heads ofcereal crops and a wide range 1975. Hutchins, B. R. & Lovell R. H. Australian remain in the nest for up to 35 days of plant fruits and seeds. Parrot :A Field and Aviary Study. before they fledge. If the parents com In captivity the choice is lilnited but Avicultural Society of Australia, mence a second brood it's advisable to a standard dry seed mix of canary, Melbourne, Au tralia: 1985. :pecht, R. L. The Vegetation of 'outh Australia. watch for any aggression by the male white millet, Japanese millet, panicum, Go ernment Printer, Adelaide, towards the youngsters who are usual- sunflower, and a small amount of Au tralia: 1972. ~
the afa ~ TCHBIRD 45