Number 1

At number 1 the highest Macau. The largest parrot in the world and possibility the most breathtaking. It’s deep Cobalt blue features shimmer under the light golden I rings give it a royal look. Dispatch their size, they are a gentle giants affectionate, loyal and incredible intelligent. It’s no wonder bird lover call them the king and queen of parrots.

Number 2

At number 2, the scarlet macau. This fiery beauty from Central and South America is nature masterpiece. Vived red features with blue and yellow accents they are not just gors they are also highly intelligent and form lifelong born with their partners. Romantic, loyal and drop deadad beautiful now that’s couple goals. Red, yellow, and blue large macaw of Central and South American rainforests, extremely colorful and graceful

Number 3

We’ve got the sun parakeet. Also known as the sun conjuring, this little breast of sunshine glows in shades of yellow, orange and red like a living sunset. Native to South America, the social bird are playful, affectionate and loud. Think of them as tiny, feathery cheerleaders. Beautiful but always ready to scream about it.

Taking the bronze at number 3. The eclectus parrot Males are bright green, females red and purple — the most sexually dimorphic parrot species; native to New Guinea here something cool. Mails are bright green while female are stunning rate and purple. Like two species colour contest is so dramatic that early scientist thought they were entirely different Birds. Talk about a fashion statement couple. Sun Conure (Sun Parakeet) Fiery orange, yellow, and green feathers; lively, friendly, and found in northeastern South America.

Number 4

Flying in at number 4, the blue and yellow Macau. This iconic bird the Amazon is a mix of elegance and drama. Long tail features vibrant colours, and a voice that carries for miles. They are loyal, smart and love to show off. Basically the supreme models of the bird world. Blue-and-Yellow Macaw Striking blue upper body and golden-yellow underparts; native to Central and South America.

Number 5 halfway through at number, it’s the Green winged macau. Often mistaken for the scarlet macau ,this magnifying glass has deeper read plumage and stunning green wings that shimmer like Emeralds. They are gentle giants, affectionate, intelligent, unknown for the lifelong bonds with their humans. Beauty, brain and heart the total package.

Number 6 At number 6,get ready for a flash of colour. It is the Rainbow Lauret. This birds are so vibrant they look hand painted. With the blue head, green wings and a fiery red chest, they are natur’s ultimate pallet. they also feed on nectar, which means they are sweet, literally and figurtively.

is that a bird or is solid gold statue number 7 ?

At lucky number 7 say hello to the Goa cockatoo. this pink and and grey Australian beauty is all about attitude and style. Known for their funny dance moves and loving nature gallas are basically the comedians of the parrot world. They will steal your heart and may be your snack, too.

Number 8 Shinning bright

the golden conjur, also called the Queen of Bavaria conjure. With its glaming golden yellow feathers and playful personality, it look like a flying jewel. But this Royal bird isn’t just for show it’s intelligent, social and full of mischief. If there were an Oscar for most glamorous bird, this would will win.

Number 9

At number 9 meet the blue to rotated macau. This rare beauty from Bolivia shoes of shimmering blue features and a distinctive Blue throat patch. Sadly there are fewer than 500 left in the wild but conversationist are working hard to protect them. It’s living proof that beauty this rare means saving. Bright blue head with green body; playful and sociable bird found in tropical South America.

Number 10

Crimson Rosella

Deep red and blue in colour, crimson rosellas are medium sized parrots seen in bushland and gardens in south-eastern Australia and north-east along coastal Queensland.  Bundaluk  and  gurilla  are names used by Dharug Peoples for rosellas. The scientific name is  Platycercus elegans.

The pale blue cheeks of the crimson rosella distinguishes it from male king parrots. They are also smaller than king parrots and a deeper red.

Adult crimson rosella

What do crimson rosellas look like?

In the Sydney region and eastern and south-eastern Australia crimson rosellas have a deep red head and chest. ‘Crimson’ is another word for red. Crimson rosellas from other areas can range from a deep red, to orange to light yellow, such as the yellow rosella from the Murray Basin.

Crimson rosellas have blue cheek patches, wings and tail feathers. The males and females look the same. Juvenile crimson rosellas have an olive coloured body, often mottled with red as their adult red feathers start to replace their juvenile feathers. ‘Juvenile’ means young.

As with all parrots, crimson rosellas have a short curved beak and two pairs of opposable toes with curved claws. Their beak and feet are grey. A human’s thumb and fingers are opposable, enabling holding and gripping.

 Colouring of a crimson rosella – light blue cheek patches, dark blue and red scalloped pattern on back, red head and chest.

Juvenile crimson rosella with olive feathers

What do crimson rosellas sound like?

Crimson rosellas make several calls. One is a double short bell-like high whistle which can carry long distances. It sounds like a high pitched ‘he he’, ‘he he’. Another call is a high pitched screech. They also make gentle musical or metallic chattering sounds usually when they’re with other crimson rosellas.

Where do crimson rosellas live?

Crimson rosellas are found in the temperate eastern and south-eastern corner of Australia covering south-eastern NSW, all of Victoria and parts of Queensland and South Australia. They usually live within or close to tall eucalypt forests, tall timbered woodlands and wet sclerophyll forests. Crimson rosellas use suburban bushland and visit leafy parks and gardens when food is available. They don’t usually visit large cleared areas.

Adult crimson rosellas often move around in pairs or small flocks of five or six birds. They use a variety of habitats including ground cover, shrubs and trees. Natural ponds and artificial bird baths provide drinking water for crimson rosellas.

Two crimson rosellas on the ground looking for grass seeds

What do crimson rosellas eat?

Crimson rosellas mainly feed on seeds but will also eat blossoms such as bottle brush and gum blossoms, fruits and some insects such as lerps. They prefer the seeds of eucalyptus trees but also eat the seeds of grasses, weeds and shrubs.

Crimson rosellas prefer to drink and feed in the early morning and late afternoon. In the morning they have been known to drink dew from leaves. Crimson rosellas climb around the foliage of shrubs and trees or walk along shady ground looking for seeds. ‘Foliage’ means leaves.

Whilst attracted to artificial seed trays, a varied natural diet provides better nutrition for crimson rosellas. Artificial seed trays can also spread disease amongst parrots.

Crimson rosella feeding on the seeds of a eucalyptus tree. The sharp beak opens the gum nuts to access the tiny seeds inside.

Crimson rosella eating a dandelion blossom

How are crimson rosellas adapted to their environment?

Crimson rosellas have flight feathers for flying from place to place in order to find food, mates, roosting and nesting sites and to escape predators.

They have a short curved beak for biting off and biting into soft seed pods and blossoms, cracking seeds and preparing their nesting hollow.

A feature of parrots, crimson rosellas have two opposable toes on each foot enabling them to hold small food items, perch, climb and cling onto small branches. The opposable toes work like two thumbs and two fingers enabling a tight grip.

When a crimson rosella bites off a seed pod with their beak, they will hold it in their left foot as they bite into it. The long curved claws of crimson rosellas also provide grip.

 A crimson rosella in flight

Crimson rosella using its opposable toes to cling onto a narrow branch.

How do crimson rosellas reproduce and what is their life-cycle?

Crimson rosellas breed from September to January. They lay 4 to 8 small creamy white eggs in a hollow in the trunk of a tall eucalyptus tree. The hollow is usually 5 to 20 metres above the ground. In preparation for the eggs, the parents chip the sides of the hollow with their beaks to make a soft base of wood chips or wood dust.

The female rosella incubates her eggs for 19 to 21 days. ‘Incubate’ means to keep warm. The male feeds her whilst she is sitting on the eggs and caring for the young in the nest.

At about 5 weeks old the young rosellas fledge. ‘Fledge’ means the young birds have grown large enough flight feathers to leave the nest and fly. The fledglings stay with their parents for about a month before they fly off independently.

Olive green in appearance, the juvenile crimson rosellas tend to stay in small groups until they get their red adult plumage. ‘Plumage’ means feathered covering.

A crimson rosella inspecting a tree hollow. Crimson rosellas nest and raise their young in tree hollows.

Juvenile crimson rosella in the process of losing its juvenile olive green plumage to its adult red plumage – feathers.

What is the role of crimson rosellas in the environment?

Crimson rosellas help disperse seeds and are pollinators. ‘Disperse’ means spread around.

What threats do crimson rosellas face and how can we help them?

The loss of old and mature eucalyptus trees with nesting hollows reduces the availability of nesting sites to crimson rosellas and other parrots. Land clearing for development and agriculture also reduces native foods and habitat for the rosellas.

Seed trays put out by humans is a potential threat as it can result in birds contracting Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) which is spread through contact with faeces from infected birds.

Planting native food plants in parks, schools and gardens at home can help provide habitat for crimson rosellas. Providing raised sources of water such as ponds or bird baths also helps care for crimson rosellas and other native birds.

Populations of crimson rosellas and other native bird species can be maintained and increased through protecting native forests and planting vegetation corridors.

Crimson rosella having a bath in a raised bird bath in a suburban garden.