Summary
The King Island Green Rosella (Platycercus caledonicus subsp. brownii) is a subspecies of the Tasmanian Green Rosella which occurs only on King Island. It is a large broad-tailed parrot with the striking yellow, dark-green and black colouring characteristic of the species. The King Island Green Rosella is generally restricted to eucalypt forest on the island, although it sometimes occurs elsewhere on the island during the non-breeding season. The total population size of the King Island Green Rosella is estimated to be less than 500 birds. The principal threats to the subspecies include loss of forest habitat, and competition for nest sites with brush tail possums, exotic birds and honeybees.
Key Points
- Important: Is this species in your area? Do you need a permit? Ensure you’ve covered all the issues by checking the Planning Ahead page.
- Important: Different threatened species may have different requirements. For any activity you are considering, read the Activity Advice pages for background information and important advice about managing around the needs of multiple threatened species.
ActivityGeneral
Habitat
- ‘Habitat’ refers to both known habitat for the species (i.e. in or near habitat where the species has been recorded) and potential habitat (i.e. areas of habitat with appropriate characteristics for the species and within the species potential range which have not yet been surveyed).
- If in doubt about whether a site represents potential habitat for this species, contact the Threatened Species Section for further advice.
- The known range of the King Island Green Rosella includes the whole of King Island, although the subspecies is usually observed in eucalypt forest particularly in the Pegarah State Forest area.
- Habitat for the King Island Green Rosella corresponds to 'Eucalypt Bush' in the NRE Bushcare Toolkit.
- Habitat for the King Island Green Rosella includes the following elements: dry and wet eucalypt forests, less usually scrub, shelterbelts and homestead gardens; nests in a hollow or broken branch of trees in dry or wet eucalypt forests.
What to avoid
- Clearing of forest habitat
- Uncontrolled wildfire in forest habitat
Surveying
ActivitySurveying
| Key |
Survey reliability more info |
| M |
Peak survey period |
| M |
Potential survey period |
| M |
Non-survey period |
To ensure you follow the law - check whether your survey requires a permit. Always report any new records to the Natural Values Atlas, or send the information direct to the Threatened Species Section. Refer to the Activity Advice: Surveying page for background information.
| Species |
Spring |
Summer |
Autumn |
Winter |
| King Island Green Rosella |
S |
S |
O |
O |
N |
N |
D |
D |
J |
J |
F |
F |
M |
M |
A |
A |
M |
M |
J |
J |
J |
J |
A |
A |
- Surveying for the King Island Green Rosella can be carried out at any time of year.
- During the breeding season the species is most likely to be detected in eucalypt forest habitat, but outside the breeding season may be present in other habitats on the island.
Helping the species
ActivityConservation
- If you live or work on King Island, learn to identify the King Island Green Rosella and record any observations of the species.
- All records of this species can provide important information on distribution and abundance. If in doubt, seek expert assistance with identification.
- Important! Always report any observations of the species to the NRE Natural Values Atlas, or else provide the data direct to the Threatened Species Section. Records stored on the NVA are a permanent record and are accessible to other people interested in this species.
- Consider the needs of the whole habitat. Preserving a threatened species' habitat is the best way to manage both the species and the environment in which it lives.
- Habitat for the King Island Green Rosella corresponds to 'Eucalypt Bush' in the NRE Bushcare Toolkit.
- For long-term protection of populations on private land – consider protection of habitat through a vegetation management agreement or conservation covenant. See the NRE Private Land Conservation Program for more details.
Cutting or clearing trees or vegetation
ActivityCutting
- The clearing of native eucalypt forests on King Island is the main threat to the King Island Green Rosella.
- In particular the loss of mature hollow-bearing eucalypts has reduced the availability of nest sites.
- To protect nesting and foraging habitat – do not clear any eucalypt forest habitat on the island.
- To conserve all nesting trees – do not clear or remove old or dead eucalypt trees including single trees in pasture which may bear hollows suitable for nesting.
Burning
ActivityBurning
- While wildfire can be beneficial to the development of tree hollows for nesting; severe wildfire can destroy this species’ remaining foraging and breeding habitat.
- To protect nesting and foraging habitat – manage remaining native forest on King Island to reduce the potential for uncontrolled wildfire.
Changing water flow / quality
Check also for listing statement or notesheet pdf above (below the species image).
FurtherInformation
