Adelaide Rosella
BirdCare.com.au
PO  Box 126 Mitcham Vic 3132 ( Victoria, Australia )

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. Adelaide rosella
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  • An Australian Parrot
  • Scientific Name: Platycercus elegans adelaidae
  • Common Name/s: ADELAIDE ROSELLA
  • Sub Species: The Adelaide Rosella is a sub-species of the Crimson Rosella P. e. elegans.
  • Origin / Distribution: South Australia.
  • Habitat In Wild: Forested areas and surrounding secondary vegetation.
  • Status In Wild:  ?
  • Status In (Australian) Captivity: Secure
  • Age To Sexual Maturity:  Ideally hens should be 18 months of age or older before attempting breeding.  May take up to 2 - 3 years to reach full sexual maturity.
  • Adult plumage: attained at about 16 months
  • Lifespan (estimate): approx. 15 or more years
  • Sexing: Monomorphic / Dimorphic. Surgical or DNA testing is the most reliable.
  • Mutations: Yes. Some include Pied, Lutino, Cinnamon.
  • Availability: Bird dealers
  • Temperament: Hardy birds and adapt well to captivity.  Best housed as one pair per cage as some of these birds can become aggressive, especially around breeding season, to other rosellas and parrots.  Solid partitions may be necessary between flights.
  • Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: - Normal colour (Approx.) $150
  • Description Of Adults:
  1. Length: Approx 360 mm (or approx. 14 inches)
  2. Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer photo/s above if available.
  3. Weight: Approx. 140 - 150 gms (or approx. 5 ozs)

Aviary Notes:

Read notes on "Rosellas" web page and use in conjunction with details outlined on this page.

Level Of Knowledge Required: Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Specialist Breeders Only.

Government Regulations & By-Laws: Refer to " Government Laws " web page.

Housing Requirements:  Refer to " Rosellas " and " Housing Birds " web pages for general details on the housing of Australian Rosellas or read on for specific details for this parrot.

One pair per aviary.

Leafy branches can be placed in the aviary for the birds to chew up. This will entertain the birds, help minimize boredom and give the birds some beak exercise. Natural branches can be used for perches. These natural perches will be chewed by the birds and may need to be replaced regularly.

Diet / Feeding: Refer to " Rosellas " and " Feeding Birds " web pages for general details on the feeding of Australian Rosellas or read on for specific details for this parrot.

As per " Rosellas " web page.

Nesting: A basic overview only.  Dimensions are typical / average and can vary widely, influenced by the owner's preferences and the birds preferences.  Parent bird's preferences can also be influenced by the size and type of nest-box / log in which the bird was hatched and reared.  If space allows, offering a choice of sizes and types of logs or nest-boxes, and placed in various locations within the aviary, can allow the parent birds to make their own choice.  Once a pair has chosen a specific nest-box/log and been successful in it, offer that one to them each breeding season.  Try and keep that one for their exclusive use.  Once a pair has chosen its log or nest-box, the other ones can generally be removed.  If the "spare" boxes are to be removed and moved to another flight, ensure the log / nest box is cleaned to ensure the receptacle has the minimal contamination of mites, parasites and pathogens.

All Australian parrots will breed in hollow logs.

  • Nesting months: July to November
  • Log / Nest-box:
    • Length / depth 400 - 600 mm (or approx 16 - 24 inches)
    • Log internal diameter approx. 175 - 250 mm (or approx. 7 - 10 inches)
    • Nest-box internal dimensions approx.175 - 225 mm square (or approx. 7 - 9 inches square)
    • Diameter of entrance hole approx. 65 - 75 mm (or approx 2.5 - 3 inches)
    • Inspection hole (square or round) 100 mm (or approx 4 inches)
    • A removable top / lid can be a useful access point for inspections and for cleaning.
    • Location and height of log / nest-box = high in the covered part of the aviary but not too close to the roof to be affected by heat from the roof in the summer months.
    • Angle of log or nest box = 45 degrees through to vertical.
  • Nesting log / nest-box material: Decomposed non-toxic saw dust, wood shavings or other suitable material/s.
  • Who incubates the egg/s: Hen / cock / both share.

Timber nest-boxes generally require a climbing structure attached inside the box below the entrance hole. Both logs and nests need an entrance hole/opening of about 65 - 75 mm diameter and about 100 mm (about 4 inches) from the top. Many species of parrots like the entrance hole to be just big enough to squeeze through.

More details on parrot nestboxes/logs and a selection of parrot nestbox/log photos can be found on the "nests", "parrot nests" and "parrot nestbox photos" web pages.  Click on "Up" then "Nests" then "parrot nests" and "parrot nestbox photos" in the navigation bars.

Breeding: Egg Colour White.  Clutch/s per year 1, sometimes 2.  Eggs per nest 4 - 6.  Incubation approx. 20 days.  Fledge approx 5 weeks.  Independent approx. another 2  - 4 weeks.  About 3 or 4 weeks after leaving the nest, remove the young from that cage.

Adelaide, Crimson and Yellow Rosellas hybridise with each other as well as other types of rosellas and care must be taken as they can also hybridise with other species of parrots.

Hybrids should not be allowed to occur in captive populations. Accidental hybrids should be hand tamed upon leaving the nest and sold as pets .(i.e.  Never to be used as breeders.)

Artificial incubation and hand rearing or fostering will not be covered on this web site. It is too complex and diverse in nature to be attempted here.

Health Issues: Refer to "Avian Health Issues" web page for information and references.

  • Worming and parasite control and Quarantine requirements of new bird/s or sick bird/s are considered to require veterinary advice and therefore not covered on this web site. Refer "Avian Health Issues" web page option.
  • Avian medicine is advancing at a rapid pace. Keep updating your knowledge and skills.

General References: Refer to references listed on "Book References" web page.

Specific References:

  • Australian Aviculture
  • A/A Vol 45 No. 12 Dec 1991 Page 279-283 (Inc photo)
  • A/A Vol 31 No. 4 Apr 1977 Page 58-59
  • A/A Vol 31 No. 1 Jan 1977 Page 1-2
  • A/A Vol 30 No. 11 Nov 1976 Page 176-179
  • A/A Vol 19 No 6 Jun 1965 Page 78.
  • Australian Birdkeeper
  • ABK Vol 12 Issue 12. Dec-Jan 2000 Page 625-627

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