Rosella
Platycerus Spp.
Habitat: Wooded areas, including neighborhoods and parks
Range: Australia and some surrounding islands
On your next visit into Parrot
Paradise, look around and see if you can spot the newest residents. The Zoo
has received five new rosellas – one eastern rosella, two crimson rosellas and
two pale-headed rosellas. This brightly colored parrot species is known for its
long pointed tail. The coloring of the bird is specific to its species (there
are five), but each can be identified by its unique cheek patches. Rosellas are
native to Australia and are a bit larger and more colorful than the cockatiels
they share an exhibit space with at the Zoo. These parrots like to eat grass,
fruit, flowers, larvae and, of course, seed sticks!
Zoo location: Parrot
Paradise
Cover image courtesy of Daniela Parra
Details image courtesy of Ralph Green