Nora Rosella Burell Drew taught at Hampton University in Virginia.
Captive Rosellas have access to a much wider variety of fruit species than in the wild. Rosella owners feed their birds fruit from their native habitat in Australia and Tasmania as well as fruit that doesn't grow there. Rosellas generally prefer eating non-native fruits such as apples, blackberries, oranges and mangoes. The Avian Web website suggests that different species of Rosellas have different fruit-eating preferences. According to the website, crimson Rosellas prefer fresh fruits while golden mantle Rosellas prefer to eat only small bits of fruit and leave the rest for later.
Bird experts suggest a steady diet of cockatiel or canary seeds, safflowers, sunflowers and millet. They also suggested a mix of a sprouted or germinated seeds for a well-balanced diet. Sprouted seeds contain more nutrition and less fat than dry seeds and are a healthier alternative for Rosellas.
Many Rosella owners feed their pets a variety of vegetables. Rosellas preferences run toward cucumber, kale, sweet potatoes, alfalfa, corn on the cob, broccoli and beans. In the wild, Rosellas often eat worms and small insects when available. In captivity, owners often supplement their diet with these food sources as well as meal worms and boiled eggs as a source of protein.
Eastern Rosellas are not endangered. They are listed as "secure", both Federally and in the state of New South Wales, where their distribution is most widespread.
Rosellas are mostly herbivores. They feed on seeds, fruits, nuts, leaf buds, new shoots and the nectar and pollen in flowers of Australian native plants. However, they have also been known to eat mealworms and other insect larvae when they are starving.
Rosellas kept as pets or aviary birds need a wild bird seed mix or commercial large parrot seed mix. Their diet should be supplemented with occasional fruits, the flower heads of native plants such as callistemon (bottlebrush) or grevillea, and leafy vegetables such as lettuce or spinach. They should also be given native tree branches in their aviary or cage, which they can strip the bark off.
You can find Crimson Rosella's in the Eastern and South Eastern Australia which has been introduced to New Zealand and Norfolk Island. It is commonly found in, but not restricted to, mountain forests and gardens.
Baby rosellas are fed by the parent birds regurgitating their food to the young rosellas.
In the wild, they live 15-20 years. In captivity and healthy conditions, they can be 17-25 years old.
The Northern rosella is an Australian bird. It is found from the Kimberley in far northern Western Australia through to the Top End of the Northern Territory.
In Australia, you will find the following types of rosellas:
There are six species of rosellas:
One does not need a licence to keep an Eastern Rosella, but other species do require a licence. A licence is not required for a corella.
Crimson rosellas are unique to Australia, but quite plentiful within the southeastern states of New South Wales and Victoria, and eastern South Australia. They are also seen in patches in southern Queensland among the border ranges, and even in the tropical north.