Eastern Rosella
Platycercus eximius
Also called Red rosella, Common rosella, White-cheeked rosella, Golden-mantled rosella (subspecies elecica)
From South-eastern Australia and Tasmania, in open lowland country including woodland edges, farmland and gardens. Introduced populations also live on New Zealand's North Island and around Dunedin.12
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Feathered; broad-tailed parakeet with scalloped back
A vividly coloured parrot with a red head and chest, crisp white cheeks, a yellow lower breast and a pale green belly. The back feathers are black edged in yellow-green, giving a scalloped look that is unusual among parrots. Hens are a little duller than males.12
Personality what they are like
An active, alert parrot that usually moves about in pairs or small groups. It forages both in trees and on the ground. It is busiest in the early morning and evening.1
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A strong flyer that needs a walk-in aviary at least 3 m long. Fresh branches and chew toys keep it occupied.1
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Provide bathing bowls and a regular supply of fresh, unsprayed branches, pine cones, wooden toys and vegetable-tanned leather toys to chew.1
Home where they are happiest
A walk-in aviary with a minimum length of about 3 m.1
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A small-seed mix (canary seed, oats, safflower) with spray millet and limited sunflower, sprouted legumes, cooked grains, leafy greens, vegetables, fruit such as apple and pear, some nuts and a complete pellet. Wild birds eat seeds, buds, flowers, nectar, fruit and insects.12
Company who they like around
Lives in pairs or small groups in the wild and is usually kept as a pair.1
The story where it all began
George Shaw described the eastern rosella in 1792. Around 1910 a shipment refused entry to New Zealand was released near Otago Heads, and more birds escaped in Dunedin, founding the population that now thrives there. It remains a well-known aviary parrot.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The black scalloping on its back feathers is described as unique in the parrot world.1
- 2
New Zealand's wild rosellas trace back to birds released from a ship around 1910.2
- 3
Wild birds have been recorded eating about 50 plant species and 15 kinds of small animals.2
- 4
A pair can raise two broods in one season, producing up to twelve young.2
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern; overall population increasing.1
- CITES
- Appendix II.1
- Taxonomy
- Described by Shaw in 1792. Three subspecies: eximius, elecica and diemenensis.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Eastern Rosella. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Fresh food and waterevery day
- Cage linerevery 2 days
- Full cleanevery week
- Bath offerevery 3 days
- Nails checkevery month
- Beak checkevery month
- Toy rotationevery week
- Out-of-cage timeAbout 2 hours a dayevery day
- Vet check-upevery year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Eastern Rosella?
Offer fresh food and water every day. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests daily fresh food and water, with a varied diet including a small-seed mix, sprouted legumes, cooked grains, leafy greens, vegetables, fruit, and a complete pellet.12 Furry Diary plan
What does an Eastern Rosella eat, and what should it never eat?
They eat a small-seed mix, spray millet, sprouted legumes, cooked grains, leafy greens, vegetables, fruit like apple and pear, some nuts, and a complete pellet. Never give avocado, chocolate, caffeine, or alcohol, and avoid salty, sugary, or fatty foods; ask your vet for a full list.12
How much space does an Eastern Rosella need?
They need a walk-in aviary at least 3 meters long to fly and stay active. Fresh branches and chew toys are also important for their well-being.1
What temperature, light or water does an Eastern Rosella need?
Provide a bathing bowl a few times a week, as they enjoy bathing. Keep them in a draft-free area with natural daylight; specific temperature and light needs vary, so ask an exotic-pet vet for guidance.1 Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean an Eastern Rosella's home?
Change the cage liner every 2 days and do a full clean weekly. Furry Diary's plan also suggests offering a bath every 3 days and rotating toys weekly. Furry Diary plan
Can an Eastern Rosella live with others?
Yes, they naturally live in pairs or small groups and are usually kept as a pair. They are active and alert, so companionship is important for their happiness.1
How long does an Eastern Rosella live?
They typically live around 20 years with good care. Regular vet check-ups help ensure a long, healthy life.1 Furry Diary plan
Can I handle an Eastern Rosella?
They can be handled with patience and trust-building, but they are active parrots that need time out of the cage daily. Furry Diary suggests about 2 hours of supervised out-of-cage time each day.1 Furry Diary plan
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Eastern Rosella - World Parrot Trust Parrot Encyclopedia parrots.orgused for size, weight, lifespan, range, status, captive care, diet, fun facts
- Eastern rosella - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for history, taxonomy, subspecies, New Zealand population, diet, fun facts
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.