Platycercus elegans

1 Crimson Rosella at Hughes, ACT

Platycercus elegans at Hughes, ACT - 13 Oct 2019
Platycercus elegans at Hughes, ACT - 13 Oct 2019
Platycercus elegans at Hughes, ACT - 13 Oct 2019
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Identification history

Platycercus elegans 21 Oct 2019 ArcherCallaway
Platycercus elegans 20 Oct 2019 BIrdsinCanberra

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User's notes

There were two Crimson Rosellas in a tree previously used by Gang-gangs for breeding, although they were on the side used by Rainbow Lorikeets last year. One of the rosellas was a juvenile who may have been close to being a fledging as its feathers appeared to not be complete yet. (Juvenile photos moved to https://canberra.naturemapr.org/Community/Sightings/Details/4238358 as possible hybrid) The other bird was an adult. The adult was close to the hollow used by the Rainbow Lorikeets last year so I am not sure if the rosellas had used it this year. It was preening itself and occasionally calling. The calling appeared to be answered by a Crimson Rosella in another tree. This other rosella moved closer to the first tree but still kept its distance. This rosella was also reasonable calm in letting me get close to take some photographs of it.

6 comments

natureguy wrote:
   21 Oct 2019
The first bird has yellowish feathers and leads me to believe it may be a hybrid with Eastern Rosella.
   21 Oct 2019
I think its just the lighting, you look at pics 3 and 4 and the entire image has a yellowish tinge, and that over the green immature feathers would have that sort of effect. Hybrids usually look very much like an Eastern except for some blue on the cheeks and slightly greater area of red.
   22 Oct 2019
Hi Natureguy and Ryu, Many thanks for that pick-up. I am wondering that Natureguy may have a point. I have looked at the original photos and the feathers look yellow. I have attached another image that gives a slightly different angle. I am sure how common these hybrids are but it would certainly be a first for me. I notice my photographs often have a yellowish tinge but that is not how I upload them. Many thanks for the discussion on this sighting.
natureguy wrote:
   22 Oct 2019
Definitely looks odd for normal Crimson. Maybe you could separate the first and last pics and post them separately. Or wait for comments/opinions from our other moderators. Also the feathers are definitely yellow, not just light angle re your comment Ryu. The 3 middle pics are all normal Crimson.

Luke
   22 Oct 2019
Looks more green to me than yellow. Also, due to hybrids looking closer to Easterns overall aside from the cheek and the extend of red, I would expect them to start like juv Eastern Rosellas aside from the cheek, that is basically slightly duller version of the adult hybrid colours.
   23 Oct 2019
Hi Ryu and Luke, I have split the sighting into two. I think the feathers are yellow but I understand what Ryu is saying that this bird looks more like a Crimson than an Eastern. The new posting at Unidentified on 13 Oct 2019 has four pictures but, sorry, all from a very similar angle. I hope they help. Many thanks for your time in trying to identify this bird. Cheers, Jon

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