Wild Bird Wednesday 66 - Crimson Rosella

One of the many wonderful things about the last holiday was being woken by the silver, bell-like calls of parrots.  There are few better sounds in the world.

We were under strict instructions from the owner of the house not to feed the parrots, and although we were visited on occasions, it was clear this was more in hope than anticipation.  So these birds were a little more timid than many holiday house birds - and I have to say I rather liked that.

Just a few strides from the front door there was a collection of fruit trees - an orchard no less - and this is where the parrots could be found in the mornings.  With their clever feet and cleaver beaks they were feasting on the newly emerged buds.  Their appetites did not bode well for an autumn harvest.

The more I looked at these images, the more I liked the fact that parts of the birds are obscured and hidden with the tree.  I gives a better feel for the slightly secretive behaviour of these birds.

The birds are Crimson Rosellas - and there are two birds.  There is a tiny touch of green on the back of the bird in the third picture suggests that it may be a young male - the green being the last hint of immature plumage.  Telling adult males from females is not task for me!  For the technical minded this bird is also know as Platycercus elgans.   The name "rosella" is thought to be a corruption of "Rose Hill" the place where these types of bird (although not this species) was first given an English name.  This story may even be true.

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