The Eastern rosella has a red head and white cheeks. The beak is white, and the irises are brown. The upper breast is red, and the lower breast is yellow fading to pale green over the abdomen. The feathers of the back and shoulders are black and have yellowish or greenish margins giving rise to a scalloped appearance that varies slightly between the subspecies and the sexes. The wings and lateral tail feathers are bluish while the tail is dark green. The legs are grey. The female is similar to the male though duller in coloration and has an underwing stripe, which is not present in the adult male. Juveniles are duller than females and have an underwing stripe.
Eastern rosellas are found in eastern Australia, including Tasmania. They prefer to live in lightly wooded country, open forests, woodlands, gardens, bushlands, and parks.
Eastern rosellas are diurnal birds usually seen in pairs or in small groups. They mainly feed on the ground and enjoy bathing in puddles of water.
Eastern rosellas are herbivores (frugivores, granivores, nectrarivores) and carnivores (insectivores). Their diet consists of fruit, seeds, flowers, nectar and insects.
Eastern rosellas are monogamous and mate for life. They usually breed in spring but if needed summer as well. The sign Eastern rosellas mostly show that they are ready to breed is that the partners give food to each other. These birds nest in cavities, generally high in older large trees in forested areas. Their breeding hollow is 1 meter (3 ft) deep and 30 meters (98 ft) high up a tree. The female lays 2-9 eggs and incubates them for about 19 days. During this time the male regularly brings food to the female. The chicks are altricial at hatching. They are blind and helpless and require parental care. They remain in the nest for approximately 32 days and can be fed by parents for a while after fledging.
This species doesn’t face any major threats at present.
According to IUCN Red List, the Eastern rosella is common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are increasing.