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;Platycercus venustus | ;Platycercus venustus | ||
| − | [[Image:Northern_Rosella.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:Northern_Rosella.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by TJ Collins]] |
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
This was photographed in a woodlands/swamp area around Darwin airport Northern Territory Australia. A pair of birds feeding on grass. This one flew to a dead tree when disturbed. | This was photographed in a woodlands/swamp area around Darwin airport Northern Territory Australia. A pair of birds feeding on grass. This one flew to a dead tree when disturbed. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Northern Rosella (Platycercus venustus), also known as Brown's Parakeet or Smutty Rosella, is found in Australia's Top End. It is unusually coloured for a rosella, with a dark crown and white cheeks similar to its relatives the Pale-headed Rosella and the Eastern Rosella. | ||
| + | |||
| + | At 28 cm long it is smaller than all bar the Western Rosella. The forehead, crown and nape are black in colour with white-on-blue cheek-patches. The back and wing feathers are blackish with yellow borders, while the feathers of the belly, chest and rump are pale yellow with black borders giving rise to a scalloped appearance. The long tail is bluish green. The bill is pale grey and the iris dark. Immature plumage is similar to adult but duller. | ||
| + | ==Distribution== | ||
| + | The Northern Rosella is found from the Gulf of Carpentaria, through Arnhem Land to the Kimberleys in open savannah country. | ||
| + | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| + | A subspecies, var. hilli, was described by Mathews in 1910, however is not felt to be valid. | ||
| + | ==Habitat== | ||
| + | Savannah | ||
| + | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | It is not a gregarious bird, found solitarily or in pairs. Nesting occurs in tree hollows in winter, with two to four eggs laid. | ||
| + | |||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Platycercus+venustus}} | {{GSearch|Platycercus+venustus}} | ||
*[http://www.aviceda.org/abid/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&fid=20&bid=219 View more images of this species on the ABID] | *[http://www.aviceda.org/abid/birdimages.php?action=birdspecies&fid=20&bid=219 View more images of this species on the ABID] | ||
[[Category:Birds]] | [[Category:Birds]] | ||
Revision as of 16:06, 27 June 2007
- Platycercus venustus
Identification
This was photographed in a woodlands/swamp area around Darwin airport Northern Territory Australia. A pair of birds feeding on grass. This one flew to a dead tree when disturbed.
The Northern Rosella (Platycercus venustus), also known as Brown's Parakeet or Smutty Rosella, is found in Australia's Top End. It is unusually coloured for a rosella, with a dark crown and white cheeks similar to its relatives the Pale-headed Rosella and the Eastern Rosella.
At 28 cm long it is smaller than all bar the Western Rosella. The forehead, crown and nape are black in colour with white-on-blue cheek-patches. The back and wing feathers are blackish with yellow borders, while the feathers of the belly, chest and rump are pale yellow with black borders giving rise to a scalloped appearance. The long tail is bluish green. The bill is pale grey and the iris dark. Immature plumage is similar to adult but duller.
Distribution
The Northern Rosella is found from the Gulf of Carpentaria, through Arnhem Land to the Kimberleys in open savannah country.
Taxonomy
A subspecies, var. hilli, was described by Mathews in 1910, however is not felt to be valid.
Habitat
Savannah
Behaviour
It is not a gregarious bird, found solitarily or in pairs. Nesting occurs in tree hollows in winter, with two to four eggs laid.
