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Story: Birdwatching

Eastern rosella

Eastern rosella

Eastern rosellas are natives of eastern Australia, brought to New Zealand as caged pets. But escaped birds have formed populations in Dunedin, Auckland and Wellington and they are now quite common in parts of the North Island. This virgilia tree in Wadestown, Wellington is visited by a small flock each year during flowering.

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by Christina Troup

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How to cite this page

Gordon Ell, Birdwatching – Birdwatching in town and bush, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/11939/eastern-rosella (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Gordon Ell, published 2 March 2009.

Comments

Robyn Stokes
20 November 2010
You say that the eastern rosella is common in parts of the north island ie: Wellington. I live in Upper Hutt and have never seen any in the area until the other day I was delighted to have 2 sitting on my balcony and was excited to get photos being such a rare sight. The first time I ever saw any and there were lots was while visiting my son and grandaughter in Melbourne some years ago.