Green Rosella "Kussik, Kussik" Which Is Uttered Most Ly When in Flight

Home , Green rosella, Rosella

ROSELLAS; This rosella is quite common and is dispersed over most parts and not con AN AUSTRALIAN VIEWPOINT fined to any particular locality. My bY Barry R. Hutchins observations of this species have , Northfield, South Australia, Australia occurred in varying hahitats from the high mountains, coastal scruhland, ) parks and gardens, open woodland orchards to farming areas. During the non-breeding season they tend to form ~ small groups with numbers increasing Aviculture after the breeding activities have come to a natural conclusion. Although this species is the largest of the in its genus, its power of flight from one feeding ground to another is quite noticeable. It has a distinctive call, Green Rosella "kussik, kussik" which is uttered most ly when in flight. Platycercus caledonicus (GmeUn 1788) Habitat Introduction than that of the male. The presence or As already mentioned, the Green The Green Rosella is known as the ahsence of an underwing-stripe is Rosella inhahits practically all of Tasmanian Rosella, Green Mountain not a true guide to sexing. The wing Tasmania. This varies in terrain from Parrot, and Yellow-bellied Parrot. stripe referred to is a whitish band high mountains by Australian stan across the underside of each wing. dards (the highest heing Mount Ossa Description which attains a height of somewhat Adult Male Immatures less than 5,100 feet) which, generally The adult male measures approxi In immatures the head and general speaking, are well covered with dense mately 14 inches in length. The head, underparts are dull olive-green, hack forests descending through the undu face, throat, hreast, helly and under and wings olive-hrown with a little lating tree and shrub-covered hills of tail-coverts are yellow tinged with scalloped feathering showing on the the lake country, to the open grazing olive; they have a red frontal band; back and nape; cheek patches are dull and cereal growing country ofthe mid cheek patches are a deep blue; nape, blue; frontal band dull red and the lands, and scruh covered hills along back and wings are dark green with underwing-stripe is evident. Like many the eastern coast. As these hirds are blackish-brown centers; rump olive species ofthis genus the Green Rosella primarily seed and fruit eaters they are green, marked with dull orange near can vary in plumage coloration. usually to be found in any, or all, of sides of the tail; underwing-coverts, these areas. The variety of seed would. secondaries and parts of the primaries Distribution ofcourse, vary from one area to anoth are pale blue; central tail feathers The Green Rosella as its popular er depending on the grasses and bronze-green, lateral tail feathers blue alternative common name, Tasmanian shruhs availahle, the latter including edged with white. The hill is grayish Rosella, indicates is restricted to such natives as acacias, casuarinas, and white; iris brown and the legs are gray. Tasmania and several nearhy islands of callistemons. The above description relates to Bass Strait. (The island state of They also partake of many of the birds of the more open forest country Tasmania is separated from the flowers and fruits of eucalypts, extract and fruit growing areas of Tasmania. Australian mainland hy Bass Strait.) ing hoth nectar and seeds from these Birds which inhahit the mountain and, in so doing, devour a percentage ranges of the west coast, which are of small insects. Other gruhs and leaf heavily timbered, are much duller green insects are also eaten in reasonahle with little evidence of yellow on the quantities. hreast, also their feathering gives the In relation to eucalypts Tasmania is impression of being somewhat fluffy in well endowed being host to such giants appearance and this could possihly he as the Mountain Ash Euca~yptus reg brought about hy the cold and heavy nans, one ofthe world's tallest-growing rainfall in this type of habitat. trees which reaches heights of over 300 feet. I have ohserved pairs of Green Adult Female Rosellas feeding high in this species of The coloration ofthe adult female is ••• tree during one of our trips along the similar to the male, the head is smaller Distribution of the Green Rosella. Huon Valley (an area noted for apple and the upper mandible is narrower orchards). The Mountain Ash produce

58 July/August 1999 their white flowers during late summer. species of rosellas or ringnecks in Two other noteworthy species of euca adjoining aviaries. If an aviculturist lypts that assist in providing suitable Picture of box is for small Rosellas. wishes to house them next to each food for the rosellas are: NOTE: for large birds use only one 2x6, other (as some breeders do for com • Tasmanian Blue Gum E. globulus, instead of three as shown in drawing. parison) then I strongly advise an addi • Tasmanian Oak E. obliqua. ._-----~~------, tional netting partition between each The Tasmanian Blue Gum (the State aviary, approximately 2 inches apart, is ofTasmania's floral emblem) is a beau included in the structure as this will tiful tree which grows to a height of prevent fighting of a vicious nature 150 feet (or more) along the southeast which otherwise could result in the coast and is enhanced by large creamy loss of toes or more serious damage. flowers and large fruits from June to If possible supply two logs or nest November. The Tasmanian Oak is a boxes in the aviary, both ofwhich can lumber-producing tree which supplies be placed inside the shelter, but avoid wood for the lumber industry known hanging them too close to the roof PLATFORM as "stringy bark." The latter species unless this is well insulated. NESTING grows well in the mountain areas and CIIVITY In the mainland states Green also produces creamy-colored flowers Rosellas usually nest late in the breed which "blossom" during late summer. ~ ing season (i.e. late spring into sum Beside the family other eucalypt NESTING Mil TFRIIIL mer) which means that, if this hap species of trees in which this rosella pens, they are involved in nesting can sometimes be found include the activities during what is an extremely Blackwood Acacia melanoxylon an hot time of the year. Their progeny excellent lumber tree, and the King seem to be prone to expiring during William Pine Athrotaxis selaginoides, The reduced nesting area/cavity allows the hen heatwaves while still in the nest. to sit tighter and hopefully produce a higher an apparently fairly rare pine which percentage of fertile eggs, and consequently, Both nesting logs or nest-boxes

the afa WATCHBIRD 59 nesting chambers. The male Green Rosella sits near the female, squaring his shoulders, with wings drooped, breast feathers fluffed, and wagging his spread tail from side to side. In addition a bowing action with the head is also evident. A "chattering cali" usually accompanies this display. The male normally feeds the female between displays and she, in turn, also performs a similar display The American Federation ofAviculture's but to a lesser extent than the male. Breeding reports referring to this species in South Australia, where I live, EndoWlnent Fund are fewer than with other memhers of the genus, this being due to the lack of (9"ct)(1~)<";; < ,..-.. . available birds. As mentioned, nesting commences Leaving a Legacy to the Future later than with other members of the genus, early November toJanuary, and For Further Information on How to Participate for some weeks prior to egg laying the female may be observed spending Through Honoraria and Bequests, Please Contact considerable time in the nesting log or Jim Hawley, Jr., AFA ChiefFinancial Officer box. This behavior also occurs in the wild. I have noted that this can take P.O. Box 56218 place for up to three weeks before the female has commenced laying the four Phoenix, AZ 85017 or five eggs that form the normal clutch. Incubation takes approximately 23 days. After hatching, the young remain in

~/ . \J "I:~, , ',- ''Z- the nest for about 36 days and when Yes, count me as ~r"'I'~'f·;n; ',:: :p1,'('.,\:,- ~ IY}_/O'lt: they fledge they differ from the parent '-;'\~£~', ;;;_/,,~ a member of the 01-"':~_j_ c~" birds in that all the yellow areas are OF R\l\ • olive green and the dark markings are not evident on their backs. Following mencan Federation of Aviculture the first complete molt they attain adult po. Box 56218, Phoenix, Arizona 85079-6218 plumage which is at approximately 14 Phone (602)484-0931 Fax (602) 484-0109 months. Although both parents contin ue to feed the youngsters for about 10 THE WATCHBIRD IS THE OFFICIAL BI·MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE AFA, ANON·PROFIT ORGANIZATION days after they fledge, this is mostly Please accept my application for membership in the American Federa- done by the female. Following this tion of Aviculture. Send me 6 issues (1 year) of the a.f.a. WA TCHBIRD time they are usually independent magazine, and a membership card which entitles me to all the rights even though the parents may continue and priVileges of AFA membership. to feed them. Check membership category desired: NEW 0 RENEWAL 0 In the aviary some aggression can Individual $30/year 0 Family $35/year 0 Supporting $50/year 0 be shown to the young males hy the Commercial $100/year, includes listing in WATCHBIRD 0 adult male but this depends on the FOREIGN MEMBERS: Add $18 for year in U.S. Funds. First Class rates available on request. individual bird and is an exception request. rather than the rule. o My check is enclosed for $ o My money order is enclosed for $___ Name - Charge my MC or VISA account: DMC DVisa Feeding Address In captivity Green Rosellas are like ------Account # all the other members of the genus City Exp. Date they enjoy a varied diet. A stable dry seed mixture can consist of canary Stale ----Zip __ Signature (plain), white millet, panicum, sun TelePhOne~ Please allow 60 to 90 days for delivery flower and a small amount of cracked Prices effective January 1, 1996 maize. A variety of seeding grassheads

60 July/August 1999 and grass stems, plu' silverheet, spinach, apple, par, grapes, and ROSELLAS; sliced carrot ar all relished. These A U.S. VIEWPOI T gr ens and fruits can h varied on a daily hasis. by Blue Wrigley, Once th femal ha' started laying Rio Linda, CA h r clutch of ggs I 'ugg st the diet he increa 'ed and varied with the addition of a mixtur comprising hard fi ld peas, wheat, milo, maize, and saf flower s d soak d in wat r for 24 hour' ith an anti-ha t rial solution added at the rate of half a teaspoonful The t one pint f water. As th young orow it is wis to increase th atnount of soaked' d to cop with th (ohvi Green Rosella ous) larg r dietaty n ds. Prior to feed ing, th soaked seed must he thor Platycercus caledonicus oughly rinsed and drain d. I suggest you fe d only nough of th mixtur that will h consun1ed during the day. The soak d 'e d is m r easily dige t he Gre n Ros lla, also known including the tail. It's coloration i' a ed hy the young hirds aft r regurgita as the Tasmanian Ro' Ha, and lemon/yellow colored head and neck tion hy their par nts. T 'ometimes call d th Mountain with a red/scarlet patch above the Fresh clean water should he avail Rosella in Australia is the larg 't of the upp r mandihle, with the che~k patch ahle at all times in a container that is Platycercus family. It is found in its nat e' heing a deep hlue. The hack has large nough for th hirds to bathe in ural hahitat in Australia, mainly on th green-hlack feathers, the wings are fr ely - as ro 'elIas d light in such i'land of Taslnania, hence it' name black with blue inner-flight feathers, activity - which is Inost heneficial for and on occa 'ions in the tate of outer coverts are bright blue inner th ir \i ll-h ing. Victoria which is across the Ba 's cov rt' are jet hlack. The tail i' blue Straight Sea, separating mainland green and the under ~ide or belly is yel Summary Australia from Tasmania. low, and sometime spla 'hed with Lik all the Australian rosellas th . orange patche '. The 'e orange patches Gr en Ros lla is both an int r sting The Green Ros lla i 'th larg t and are more predominate in the hen and and hardy parrot. I hope that avicul rar st of the Ro' lIas. It' averag :ize is can xt nd upward toward the turi ls who keep this sp cies make approximat ly 13 inch s (340mm), hrea 't area. very effort to hreed th m and that oth rs, too, will take an inter st in this rosella.

Bibliography Boland, DJ. Brooker M.l.H., Chippendale, G.M., Hall N. Hyland B.P.M., johnston, R.D., Kleinig, D.A., Turner, ].n. Forest Tree\' ofA ustralia. Thomas elson, Melbourne, Australia: 1984. Condon, H.T., Checkli 't of the Birds ofAustralia ParI 1, ol1-Passerines. Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, Melbourne, Australia: 1975. Hutchins. B.R. A Conducted Tour of Bird Fanciers in Tasmania. Bird Keeping in Australia, pp 50-51,57-59, 67-6R, 91 92 109-110 119-120: 1967. Hutchins, B.R. & Lovell, R.H. Australian Parrots: A Field and Aviary Study. Avicultural Society of Au ·tralia, Melbourne, Australia:1985.

Acknowledgement Map:john E. Buchan, Glen Waverley Australia. Reprinted fronl Australian ParroL): A Field and AUr'tllJ' Study \vith permission of the Avicultural A pair q! Green Ro ella. The se.xe look abllo~ t identical hilt SOI71eti17ze - the hell it ill haz'e a lit Sodet of Australia. .,. tle bit qforange color on the ahdo171en edging lip into the hrea~"'''t. Look at the hiI'd all the I~ft.

the afa \ -\TCHBIRD 61