Settlers to Austalia first named this bird ‘Rosehill’ parrakeet shortened to ‘Rosehiller’ hence ‘rosella’. In 1792 George Shaw named this bird ‘eastern rosella’. This medium sized Australian parrot is a popular pet with people who keep caged birds. It is happier in a large enclosure than in a small cage. Of course it is happiest when flying freely.

There are seven subspecies found in Australia.

It was introduced into New Zealand when a shipment of caged birds was released in Otago in 1910. Since then other birds have been released and there are expanding feral populations in both islands. It is a noisy, colourful bird usually flying in flocks.

Eastern Rosella websites