What does it look like?
Eastern rosella was introduced to New Zealand in the early 1900s and is now common across much of the North Island, with a smaller population around Dunedin. They’re usually seen moving around in pairs or small flocks and are often noticed first by their noisy chatter or loud alarm calls as they fly.
Eastern rosellas are easy to recognise by their vivid red heads with bold white cheek patches. The red colouring extends down onto the chest, forming a distinctive “bib”, before fading into a yellow belly. Their upper back is yellow green with black markings in the centre of each feather, while the rump is bright green.
The wings are dark blue with bright blue shoulders, and they have long, elegant tails that are almost as long as the rest of their body. The tail is dark green through the middle and becomes pale blue towards the outer edges.
Males are usually brighter in colour than females. Juvenile birds are duller overall, with more green than yellow in their plumage. In young birds, the green extends up the back of the neck and onto the crown of the head, and their cheek patches can appear pale blue. Juveniles, and sometimes adult females, also have a white bar on the underside of the wing, which can be seen in flight.
Why is it a problem?
Eastern rosellas may pose a risk to native parrots by spreading parrot specific diseases that are not otherwise present in New Zealand. Populations in the North Island have been found to carry Beak and Feather Disease Virus (BFDV), a disease that could be harmful to native parrot species. While the overall risk is still being studied, small or vulnerable native populations could be particularly affected.
They may also compete with native birds for food and nesting sites. Eastern rosellas use tree cavities for nesting, which are a limited resource and are also relied on by native species. Their feeding habits can add further pressure, as they eat and destroy seeds from native plants.
In some areas, eastern rosellas also cause localised damage to crops. This includes feeding on grain and fruit, and stripping flowers from certain fruit trees, which can affect productivity.
Control methods
- Shooting – only likely to be effective on small number of birds.
- Poisoning - Alphachloralose Narcotic.
When using Alphachloralose, please READ THE LABEL thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed. All firearms laws MUST be adhered to when using a firearm. When using traps please ensure that all instructions, safety requirements and laws (in particular the Animal Welfare Act 1999) are followed. - Professional pest controllers are recommended.
If you have pet rosellas, make sure they’re securely contained to avoid accidental escapes. If you are no longer able to look after your pet rosella, find someone who is prepared to give it a lifetime home, or contact a relevant pet shop or animal rescue organisation to get it rehomed.
Never release a rosella into the wild. Your pet may be unable to find the food and shelter it needs, and it also puts our native species at risk.
More information
Eastern rosellas are often confused with rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus), another Australian parrot that has been the focus of eradication efforts around Auckland (and not considered established in the wild in New Zealand). Rainbow lorikeets, a listed pest species, are distinguished by their blue heads and bright red beaks, and their contact call is a more piercing screech/whistle.
Related links
Management Programme
Organism of Interest (OOI)
Organisms of Interest are those specified as pests under our Regional Pest Management Plan that are capable of causing significant adverse effects on one or several of our Regional values. These species warrant being watch-listed for ongoing surveillance or future control opportunities.
