Green Rosella

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

The Green Rosella is Australia’s largest rosella, measuring 29 to 36 centimetres in length. Endemic to Tasmania and the islands of the Bass Strait, this robust parrot is easily identified by its bright yellow head and underparts, contrasted by vibrant violet-blue cheek patches and a prominent red band across the forehead. The upperparts are dark brown to black, heavily scalloped with olive-green margins, while the wings and long, broad tail exhibit striking flashes of deep blue and green. Males are generally larger with heavier bills, while females are slightly duller and often show an orange-red wash on the throat or breast. Juveniles are distinct, possessing a predominantly dull olive-green plumage during their first year, though they retain the characteristic blue on the wings and outer tail. Its voice features a loud, metallic, two-syllable "cussik-cussik" or "klink-klink" contact call, typically given in flight. When foraging or socializing, they produce softer piping whistles and melodic notes, shifting to a harsh, rapid chatter if alarmed. Usually encountered in pairs or small family groups, they forage both in the canopy and on the ground for a varied diet of eucalypt seeds, fruits, blossoms, and occasionally insects. Flight is swift and undulating, characterized by several rapid wingbeats followed by a short, swooping glide. Highly adaptable, the species occupies almost any habitat with tree cover, including rainforests, dry woodlands, orchards, and urban parks. It is easily distinguished from the smaller Eastern Rosella by its yellow head and blue cheeks; the Eastern Rosella features a bright red head and white cheeks.

Description · BirdUp · CC BY-SA 4.0

1. 01

   Extensive bright yellow head and underparts

   Entire head, neck, chest, and belly are predominantly bright yellow, distinctive among rosellas.

2. 02

   Prominent violet-blue cheek patches

   Prominent patches on the cheeks and throat, contrasting sharply with the surrounding yellow plumage.

3. 03

   Narrow red band across forehead

   A small, distinct red stripe just above the cere/beak, often the only red on the head.

4. 04

   Scalloped black and green back

   Black feathers broadly edged with green create a distinct scaled or scalloped pattern on the upperparts.