Hi all,
For the last few days I have been observing Eastern Rosellas engaged in
nest building activities. The nest is about half way up the trunk of a
large dead Eucalyptus (I can't be sure of the species, but it is one of
the Mahogany group, possibly E umbra, that is if the taxonomists haven't
yet changed it to something else, which is quite likely, the familiar
red-flowering ficifolia isn't even a Eucalypt anymore). The female
rosella spends about half an hour at a time actively digging wood from
the hollow and is gradually enlarging it, with binoculars one can see
the wood chips falling. Like all good members of his gender, the male
sits nearby on a branch offering moral support and keeping a lookout.
I always thought that rosellas used existing hollows and only made minor
adjustments to the size of the hollow, but this one is undertaking quite
major excavation work, is this common?
Paul Osborn
Research Scientist
BHP Research - Newcastle Labs
PO Box 188 Wallsend, NSW, 2287
Ph: (02) 49792705
VPN: 8843 2705
Fax: (02) 49792022
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