Northern Rosella

1. Black crown and nape with prominent white (or blue-tinged) cheeks

2. Strong yellow-and-black scaled pattern on back and underparts

3. Only rosella in northern Australia; location is a key clue

Northern Rosellas are primarily seed-eaters, feeding on the seeds of eucalypts, wattles, cypress-pines, grasses, and occasionally nectar, flowers, fruits, and insects. They forage both on the ground and in the canopy, sometimes feeding along roadsides and riverbanks. Breeding occurs in the dry season, typically from May to August, with nests placed in tree hollows, often in eucalypts near water. The female incubates 2–5 eggs, and both parents feed the chicks, which remain in the nest for up to seven weeks. Fledglings may stay with their parents for a year or more, forming small family groups.

Northern Rosellas inhabit open eucalypt woodlands, grassy savannas, and areas near creeks and escarpments from the Barkly Tableland in the Northern Territory west to the Kimberley in Western Australia. They are often seen in pairs or small groups, sometimes gathering in loose flocks of up to 15, but are generally much less gregarious than other rosellas. They are shy and will retreat to the upper canopy if disturbed. Top locations include Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks. Listen for their sharp, short “chit-chut chit-chut” flight call or a soft, ascending three-note whistle when perched.