Crimson Quartet

Acrylic on Canvas (Sold)

Image size 100.2 cm h x 100.2 cm w

The Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans) is a parrot native to eastern and south eastern Australia common in coastal and mountain forests at all altitudes. It is a medium-sized Australian parrot at 36 cm (14 in) long, much of which is tail.
Adults and juveniles generally show strikingly different colouration in south-eastern populations, with predominantly greenish-olive body plumage on the juvenile, most persistent on the nape and breast. Juveniles are said to ‘ripen’ as they get older and turn from green to red. All races have blue cheeks and black-scalloped blue-margined wings and predominantly blue tail with predominantly red coloration. The most noticeable difference between sexes is that males are up to 15% larger, and have a relatively larger and wider beak.
Almost all Crimson Rosellas are sedentary, although occasional populations are considered nomadic; no rosellas are migratory. Outside of the breeding season, Crimson Rosellas tend to congregate in pairs or small groups and feeding parties. When they forage, they are conspicuous and chatter noisily. Rosellas are monogamous, and during the breeding season, adult birds will not congregate in groups and will only forage with their mate.