The Green Rosella, a stunning parrot endemic to Tasmania.
The Vibrant Parrot of Tasmania
The Green Rosella (Platycercus caledonicus), also known as the Tasmanian Rosella, is a striking parrot species native to Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands. It holds the distinction of being the largest species within the rosella genus, Platycercus. Easily identified by its bright yellow head, neck, and underparts, contrasted with blue cheek patches and a red band above the beak, this rosella's back is predominantly mottled green and black, leading to a long blue and green tail. Often encountered in pairs or small groups, the exotic bird is a common sight across various tree-covered habitats, including rainforests, woodlands, and even urban gardens.
Our Ornithologist's Tip
By the Les-Oiseaux.com team, published on October 10, 2025.
My personal tip: To best observe Green Rosellas, explore the forests, woodlands, or even well-treed parks of Tasmania. Look for their distinctive vibrant yellow and green plumage, especially when they fly, as their bright yellow underparts become very obvious. Listen for their characteristic two-syllable contact calls, often described as "kussik kussik" or "cossack cossack", particularly in flight. While they are mostly herbivorous, feeding on seeds and fruits, you might spot them foraging both in the canopy and on the ground. They are generally sedentary birds, so finding a good spot with native eucalypts or fruit trees often yields sightings.
Identifying the Green Rosella: Key Features
The yellow head, blue cheeks, and red frontal band are key identification features of the Green Rosella.
The Green Rosella is the largest of the rosella genus, measuring between 29 to 38 cm (11 to 15 in) in length. Its wingspan ranges from 44 to 54 cm (17 to 21 in).
Plumage: Adults feature a vibrant yellow head, neck, and underparts. A striking red band crosses the forehead and upper lores, complemented by distinctive violet-blue or blue cheek patches. The back and mantle are primarily soft black, scalloped with dull green, while the rump and upper tail coverts show yellow-olive hues. Its long tail is a mixture of blue and green.
Sexual Dimorphism: Males and females have similar plumage, though males are typically brighter yellow. Females may exhibit duller yellow plumage and more prominent red markings, as well as a slightly smaller beak. Males are generally heavier, averaging around 150 g (5.3 oz) compared to the female's 120 g (4.2 oz).
Juveniles: Young birds are predominantly green, especially on the plumage, where adults are more yellowish.
Bill, Eyes, and Legs: The bill is light grey, the irises are dark, and the legs and feet are grey.
Scientific Dimensions and Records (Green Rosella)
Characteristic
Male
Female
Record / Average
Length
29 – 38 cm
29 – 38 cm
29 – 38 cm (11–15 in)
Weight
~150 g (5.3 oz)
~120 g (4.2 oz)
100 – 160 g (3.5–5.6 oz)
Wingspan
44 – 54 cm (17–21 in)
44 – 54 cm (17–21 in)
44 – 54 cm (17–21 in)
Diet
Herbivorous
Herbivorous
Seeds, fruits, flowers, nectar, insects
Life expectancy
Up to 15 years
Up to 15 years
About 10-15 years (in captivity)
These figures highlight the Green Rosella as a robust, medium-sized parrot, well-adapted to its forested environments across its Tasmanian range.
Not to be confused with...
Eastern Rosella
The Eastern Rosella (Platycercus eximius) is similar in overall shape but can be distinguished by its predominantly red head, neck, and breast, along with prominent white cheek patches. It is also generally smaller than the Green Rosella.
Crimson Rosella
Adult Crimson Rosellas (Platycercus elegans) are mostly bright crimson red with blue cheeks and blue markings on their wings and tail. While juveniles can be predominantly green and red, adults are easily differentiated by their extensive red plumage.
Call: A Characteristic Sound of the Tasmanian Bush
The Green Rosella is known for its distinct vocalizations, which are a characteristic sound in its Tasmanian habitat. Their repertoire includes various contact calls, alarm calls, and courtship vocalizations.
A frequently heard call is a repeated two-syllable contact call, often transcribed as "kussik kussik" or "cossack cossack", typically given in flight. When perched, they utter a rising "kwik-kweek kwik-kweek" contact call. During courtship, birds may make a chattering call. When alarmed, Green Rosellas can screech shrilly. They also make whistling sounds, particularly when alone, seemingly to locate other birds.
0:00 / 0:00
Behavior: Foraging and Nesting in Tree Hollows
The Green Rosella is generally encountered in pairs or small groups. Outside the breeding season, young birds may gather in larger flocks of 20 or more. They are sedentary birds, meaning they do not undertake long migratory journeys, although they may move locally in search of food and water.
Their flight is strong and swift, characterized by rapid, shallow wingbeats and brief glides in between. They are predominantly herbivorous, with their diet largely consisting of seeds from grasses, shrubs, and trees, particularly eucalypts. They also consume berries, nuts, fruits, flowers, and nectar. Occasionally, they supplement their diet with insect larvae and insects like psyllids, which they extract from leaf galls. Green Rosellas forage both in the canopy and understory of forested areas, as well as on the ground for fallen food, often being inconspicuous when feeding on the ground.
Breeding generally begins at two years of age, occurring from September to January, typically producing one brood. Nesting sites are usually tree hollows, often in eucalypt species, and can be over 1 meter deep and up to 30 meters above ground. The female lays 4 to 5 white, rounded eggs and incubates them alone for approximately 20 days, leaving the nest only when fed by the male. Both parents participate in feeding the chicks, which fledge after about five weeks. They may compete with introduced species like the Common Starling, and even other parrots such as the Cockatiel, for nesting hollows.
Habitat and Distribution
The Green Rosella is endemic to Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands, including Maria, Bruny, De Witt, and Maatsuyker Islands. It thrives in a wide range of tree-covered habitats up to 1500 meters above sea level, including rainforests, eucalypt forests, woodlands, and shrublands. They are also commonly found in urban parks and gardens, readily adapting to human-altered landscapes, particularly where abundant native vegetation provides food and shelter.
While generally sedentary, Green Rosellas may exhibit local nomadic movements in search of food or water, with juveniles sometimes forming large flocks and wandering over significant areas.
Distribution Map
Conservation Status
The Green Rosella is currently listed as a species of "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This classification is based on its large range and stable population, which shows a small rate of decline.
However, the King Island subspecies (Platycercus caledonicus brownii) is listed as "Vulnerable" under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This vulnerability is primarily due to the extensive historical clearing and degradation of native eucalypt forests on King Island, leading to significant habitat loss and potentially increased competition with introduced species like the Common Starling for nesting sites. Conservation efforts for this subspecies focus on preventing further habitat loss and degradation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Green Rosella
What are the distinguishing features of a Green Rosella?
The Green Rosella is characterized by its yellow head, neck, and underparts, vibrant blue cheek patches, a prominent red band above its beak, and a back predominantly mottled with black and green. Its long tail is a mix of blue and green. It is also the largest species within the rosella genus.
What does the Green Rosella eat?
The Green Rosella is primarily herbivorous, with its diet consisting mainly of seeds from grasses, shrubs, and trees (especially eucalypts). It also consumes berries, nuts, fruits, flowers, and nectar, and may occasionally eat insect larvae and insects like psyllids.
Where can one observe the Green Rosella?
The Green Rosella is endemic to Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands. It can be found in a variety of tree-covered habitats, including rainforests, eucalypt forests, woodlands, and even urban parks and gardens, particularly in areas with abundant native vegetation.
Is the Green Rosella a migratory bird?
No, the Green Rosella is generally a sedentary bird. While it may undertake local movements in search of food or water, especially among juveniles, it does not typically engage in long migratory journeys.
What is the conservation status of the Green Rosella?
The Green Rosella is listed as a species of 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List, indicating a stable global population. However, the King Island subspecies is classified as 'Vulnerable' due to significant habitat loss and competition for nesting sites on King Island.
