Hobbies And Interests
Diet In The Wild
There are eight distinct types of Rosellas. The Eastern Rosella is the most commonly found species of Rosella in the wild and captivity. Their natural habitat consists of lightly wooded low-land areas. This habitat provides the birds with a steady diet of grass seed, small plants, bugs, berries, grubs and wild fruits. Rosellas particularly enjoy eucalyptus and exotic Hawthorne plants in the wild. In captivity, they consume the same type of diet as in the wild with the addition of some fresh fruits and vegetables.
Fruits
Captive Rosellas have access to a much wider variety of fruit species than in the wild. Rosella owners feed their birds fruit from their native habitat in Australia and Tasmania as well as fruit that doesn't grow there. Rosellas generally prefer eating non-native fruits such as apples, blackberries, oranges and mangoes. The Avian Web website suggests that different species of Rosellas have different fruit-eating preferences. According to the website, crimson Rosellas prefer fresh fruits while golden mantle Rosellas prefer to eat only small bits of fruit and leave the rest for later.
Seeds
Many non-predatory birds' diets consist, to a large extent, of various seeds. Rosellas also consume their share of seeds both in the wild and in captivity. Bird experts suggest a steady diet of cockatiel or canary seeds, safflowers, sunflowers and millet. They also suggested a mix of a sprouted or germinated seeds for a well-balanced diet. Sprouted seeds contain more nutrition and less fat than dry seeds and are a healthier alternative for Rosellas.
Other Foods
Many Rosella owners feed their pets a variety of vegetables. Rosellas preferences run toward cucumber, kale, sweet potatoes, alfalfa, corn on the cob, broccoli and beans. In the wild, Rosellas often eat worms and small insects when available. In captivity, owners often supplement their diet with these food sources as well as meal worms and boiled eggs as a source of protein.