. crimson rosella
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- An Australian Parrot
- Scientific Name: Platycercus
elegans elegans
- Common Name/s:
CRIMSON ROSELLA
- Sub Species: 4. (Crimson
Rosella = P. e. elegans. Crimson Rosella
= P. e. nigrescens. Adelaide
Rosella = P. e. adelaidae. Yellow Rosella = P. e. flaveolus.)
- Origin / Distribution: The
nominate sub-species is found in Eastern and
south-eastern Australia. P. e. nigrescens
is found only in Queensland and its range does not overlap with the
nominate sub-species.
- Habitat In Wild:
Forests and surrounding secondary vegetation. Will forage in
farmlands and urban areas.
- Status In Wild: Generally
secure, but numbers vary widely within its natural range.
- Status In (Australian) Captivity:
Secure
- Age To Sexual Maturity:
May breed at about 12 months of age.
Ideally hens should be 18 months of age or older before attempting
breeding. May take up to 2 - 3 years to reach full sexual
maturity.
- Adult plumage: Starts at about 12
months of age and attain full colour
by 16 - 18
months of age
- Lifespan (estimate): approx.
15 or more
years
- Sexing: Monomorphic
/ Dimorphic
- Mutations: Yes
- Availability: Bird dealers
and specialist breeders.
- Temperament: Popular and
colourful but is an aggressive bird and best housed one pair per
flight.
- Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: -
Normal colour (Approx.) $80
- Description Of Adults:
Crimson Rosella sub-species, P. e. nigrescens,
is slightly smaller than the nominate race.
- Length: Approx. 340 - 360 mm (or approx. 13.5 -
14 inches)
- Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer
photo/s above if available.
- Weight: Approx. 120 - 150 gms (or approx 4
- 5 ozs)
Aviary Notes:
Read notes
on "Rosellas" web page and use in conjunction with details
outlined on this page.
Level Of Knowledge
Required: Beginner /
Intermediate / Advanced /
Specialist Breeders Only.
Government Regulations & By-Laws:
Refer to " Government Laws " web page.
Housing Requirements:
Refer to " Rosellas " and " Housing Birds "
web pages for general details on the housing of Australian Rosellas or
read on for specific details for this parrot.
As per " Rosellas " web page.
Leafy branches can be placed in the aviary for the birds to chew up.
This will entertain the birds, help minimize boredom and give the birds
some beak exercise. Natural branches can be used for perches. These
natural perches will be chewed by the birds and may need to be replaced
regularly.
Diet / Feeding:
Refer to " Rosellas " and " Feeding Birds "
web pages for general details on the feeding of Australian Rosellas or
read on for specific details for this parrot.
As per " Rosellas " web page.
Nesting:
A basic overview only. Dimensions are typical / average and
can vary widely, influenced by the owner's preferences and the birds
preferences. Parent bird's preferences can also be influenced by
the size and type of nest-box / log in which the bird was hatched and reared.
If space allows, offering a choice of sizes and types of logs or nest-boxes, and placed in various locations within the aviary, can allow the parent birds to make their
own choice. Once a pair has chosen a specific nest-box/log and
been successful in it, offer that one to them each breeding season.
Try and keep that one for their exclusive use. Once a pair has
chosen its log or nest-box, the other ones can generally be removed.
If the "spare" boxes are to be removed and moved to another flight,
ensure the log / nest box is cleaned to ensure the receptacle has the
minimal contamination of mites, parasites and pathogens.
All Australian parrots will breed in hollow logs.
- Nesting months:
September to December/January
- Log / Nest-box:
- Length
/ depth 400 - 600 mm (or approx 16 - 24 inches)
- Log internal
diameter approx. 175 - 250 mm (or approx. 7 - 10
inches)
- Nest-box internal dimensions approx. 175 - 225
mm square (or approx. 7 - 9 inches square)
- Diameter of
entrance
hole approx. 65 - 75 mm (or approx 2.5 - 3 inches)
- Inspection hole (square or round)
100 mm
(or approx 4 inches)
- A removable top / lid can be a
useful access point for inspections and for cleaning.
- Location and height
of log / nest-box = high in the covered part of the aviary but not
too close to the roof to be affected by heat from the roof in the
summer months.
- Angle of log or nest box = 45 degrees through to
vertical.
- Nesting log / nest-box material: Decomposed non-toxic saw
dust, wood shavings or other suitable material/s.
- Who incubates the egg/s:
Hen / cock / both share.
Timber nest-boxes generally
require a climbing structure attached inside the box below the entrance
hole. Both logs and nests need an entrance hole/opening of about
65 - 75 mm diameter and about 100 mm (about 4 inches) from the top. Many
species of parrots like the entrance hole to be just big enough to
squeeze through.
More details on
parrot nestboxes/logs and a selection of
parrot nestbox/log photos
can be found on the "nests", "parrot nests"
and "parrot nestbox photos"
web pages. Click on "Up" then "Nests" then "parrot nests"
and "parrot nestbox photos" in
the navigation bars.
Breeding:
Egg Colour White. Clutch/s
per year 1, sometimes 2. Eggs per nest 4 - 6. Incubation approx.
20 days. Fledge approx. 5 weeks. Independent approx.
another 2 - 3 weeks, sometimes up to 4 weeks.
Ideally hens should be 18 months of age or older before attempting
breeding. May take up to 2 - 3 years to reach full sexual
maturity.
Artificial incubation and hand rearing or fostering will not
be covered on this web site. It is too complex and diverse in nature to
be attempted here.
Health Issues:
Refer to "Avian Health Issues"
web page for information and references.
- Worming and parasite control and Quarantine
requirements of new bird/s or sick bird/s are considered to
require veterinary advice and therefore not covered on this web
site. Refer "Avian Health Issues"
web page option.
- Avian medicine is advancing at a rapid pace. Keep
updating your knowledge and skills.
General References: Refer to references listed on "Book References"
web
page.
Specific References:
- Australian Aviculture
- A/A Vol 53 No. 9 Sept 1999 Page 204-207 (Inc photo)
- A/A Vol 49 No. 12 Dec 1995 Page 269-271 (Inc photo)
- A/A Vol 47 No. 8 Aug 1993 Page 190-192
- A/A Vol 42 No. 4 Apr 1988 Page 87-92
(Colour mutations)
- A/A Vol 42 No. 3 Mar 1988 Page 87-92
(Cinnamon)
- A/A Vol 32 No. 3 Mar 1978 Page 39-40
(Inc photo)
- A/A Vol 30 No. 11 Nov 1976 Page
176-179
- A/A Vol 30 No. 10 Oct 1976 Page
154-155
- A/A Vol 30 No. 1 Jan 1976 Page 1-2
- A/A Vol 25 No. 8 Aug 1971 Page 120-121.
- A/A Vol 16 No 6 Jun 1962 Page 91-92 (Inc colour plate).
- Australian Birdkeeper
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