The crimson rosella (Platycercus elegans) is a parrot native to 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. The species as it now stands has subsumed two former separate species, the yellow rosella and the Adelaide rosella.

Molecular studies show one of the three red-coloured races, P. e. nigrescens, is genetically more distinct. Almost all rosellas are sedentary, although occasional populations are considered nomadic; no rosellas are migratory. Outside of the breeding season, crimson rosellas tend to congregate in pairs or small groups and feeding parties. The largest groups are usually composed of juveniles, who will gather in flocks of up to 20 individuals. When they forage, they are conspicuous and chatter noisily. Rosellas are monogamous, and during the breeding season, adult birds will not congregate in groups and will only forage with their mate.

With its blue neck, wings, and tail сoпtгаѕted with its flaming red һeаd and body, this ѕtгіkіпɡ parrot is easy to identify.

In the moist woods of Southeastern Australia and New Zealand, you can hear him loudly chattingtering with all his friends as they search for seeds, fruits, plants, and insects, even if you don’t first see him.

According to a new study crimson rosellas can identify birds of their own subspecies based on the smell of other birds. The nominate bird is mainly red, and a few colour mutations exist, such as the blue, yellow, white, and cinnamon, in aviculture. Crimson rosellas forage in trees, bushes, and on the ground for the fruit, seeds, nectar, berries, and nuts of a wide variety of plants, including members of the Myrtaceae, Asteraceae, and Rosaceae families. Despite feeding on fruits and seeds, rosellas are not useful to the plants as seed-spreaders, because they crush and destroy the seeds in the process of eating them.

The female provides the first several days of hatchling nutrition and incubates three to eight eggs. After then, the chicks will be raised by both parents.