Species
Platycercus eximius
Threats Status
Unwanted Organism
Common Name(s)
Eastern rosella
Family
Psittacidae
Habitat
Eastern rosella occur around urban and agricultural areas. They nest in tree trunks or hollow limbs.
They feeds, usually in pairs or small groups, on a wide range of seeds, berries, fruits and blossoms. They have a lound carrying call.
Description
Eastern Rosella are much larger and more colourfull than native parakeets. They have a pinkish-red upper breast and undertail with a yellow lower breast, blue wings, white cheeks and yellow green back, belly, flanks and rump.
Threat To Plants
Feeding on preferred species, which my alter species regeneration and vegetation composition. Dominant over most native bird species (Competition for food and nesting habitat), may have secondary influence on plant species due to altered ecosystem processes.
Distribution
Main population from Raglan Harbour to Aupouri Peninsular, also found in Auckland, Coromandel, Hutt Valley, Northland and Wairarapa
Measurements
Weight: 110g; body lenght: 32cm
Year Introduced
1910 (Dunedin)
Reason For Introduction
Pet
Colonisation History
First introduced to New Zealand on the South Island in Dunedin around 1910, and in the 1970s in Auckland on the North Island.