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As of 1 January 2012, BOCA has merged with Birds Australia to become BirdLife Australia. The new BirdLife Australia website will go live in early February, and until then the current BOCA site will continue to be available.

At BirdLife Australia we are dedicated to achieving outstanding conservation results for our native birds and their habitats. With our specialised knowledge and the commitment of an Australia-wide network of members, volunteers and supporters, we are creating a bright future for Australia’s birds. Look out for our new website from February 2012 at birdlife.org.au

Rohan the Crimson Rosella

Introducing Rohan the Crimson Rosella

Hello there, my name is Rohan Rosella and as my scientific name,
Platycercus elegans, suggests I am an elegantly coloured bird,
deep red with blue cheeks. Platycercus means flat tail.
As a spokesbird for the Stickybeak Club I have taken the name
Rohan because it means red, as does crimson.
Strangely enough not all members of my species are red.
There are 6 races of Crimson Rosella and they vary from yellow though orange to a dark crimson colour.
The Crimson Rosellas found in Queensland are a little smaller and darker in colour.
“Yellow” Rosellas are found living on flood plains and
River Red Gum Forests of inland south-eastern Australia.
The “Adelaide” Rosella varies in colour from red-washed yellow to deep orange.

I belong to a group of birds, called an order, that includes parrots and cockatoos,
with the scientific name of Psittaciformis.
Although there are many differences between us we all have a short, strongly hooked beak,
two forward and two backward facing toes, no appendix and our babies are born with no feathers.
Like most Australian parrots I like to eat mainly seeds but also occasionally fruit,
flowers and insects. Tree hollows are important for nesting.

I hope you enjoy the Crimson Rosella badge that you receive on joining the Stickybeaks. .

Birding is fun. Come and enjoy it with BOCA by joining the Stickybeaks Club now!

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