Notes on the Breeding Behaviour of the Red Variety of the Eastern Rosella

Abstract

The breeding of a wild pair of Eastern Rosellas Platycercus eximius was studied during spring 1991 near Bendigo, Victoria, when the birds used an artificial nest-box. The female was an example of the red variety; the male was normal in colour. They raised two broods, of six and four young, between 9 September-27 October and 7 November-16 December 1991 respectively. All the young were normal in plumage colouration. Parental behaviour, breeding success and post-fledging behaviour of the young are described.