Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Eastern rosella (Platycercus eximius), 1790s

Eastern rosella (Platycercus eximius), 1790s

TAL & Dai-ichi Life Derby Collection, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW; Purchased from The Rt Hon. The 19th Earl of Derby, 2011; PXD 1098, vol. 4, f. 47

Watercolour

Eastern rosellas mate for life. Nests are usually made in hollows of eucalypt trees.
Eastern rosellas eat a variety of seeds, fruits, flowers and insects.
Eastern rosellas are colourful parrots with distinctive white cheek patches. Their plumage is patterned to create an effective camouflage against predators.
Early European settlers first encountered Eastern Rosellas at Rose Hill (now Parramatta), giving them the name “Rosehiller”.
Eastern rosellas have a high pitched ‘pink-pink’ call when in flight.
Eastern rosellas are found throughout southeastern Australia in bush land areas as well as urban parks and gardens.