Last updated on 1-Nov 2017
Recorded only in the south-western corner of Australia, the Western Rosella is seen in small flocks during winter, but at other times of the year it usually occurs in pairs or family groups. There are two subspecies, one which occurs in high rainfall areas, while the other inhabits drier parts of the species’ range. Like other rosellas, they usually forage on the ground or among the foliage of trees or shrubs and sometimes ignite the ire of orchardists when they forage on fruit in orchards.
The Western Rosella is the smallest rosella and is usually seen in pairs or small parties. The head, neck and underbody of males are mostly red, while those of females and juveniles are mottled red. The cheek patch is yellow or cream. There are two subspecies which vary by: (1) the size and colour of the cheek patch (creamier and smaller in xanthogenys), (2) the colour of the scalloping on upper body (green and black, with red only on the hindneck for icterotis; red and black for xanthogenys), and (3) the extent of red on the underbody. The two subspecies may interbreed, with varying colour on the back. The flight is light and fluttery and less undulating than in other rosella species.
The Western Rosella is only found in the south-west of Western Australia. There are two sub-species, with the nominate, icterotis, confined to the south-west coast, and the other, xanthogenys, found in the wheat belt.
Habitat: Heathland, Woodland, Forest
Western Rosellas are found in open eucalypt forests and timbered areas, including cultivated land and orchards. The nominate icterotis is found in high rainfall areas and the other subspecies, xanthogenys, in drier woodland, with a heath understorey.
The Western Rosella is the only rosella with yellow cheek patches; others have white or blue patches.
Western Rosellas may damage fruit in orchards and were once killed as vermin. They are now protected from destruction, except with a special license. They are possibly declining in the wheat belt from the loss of woodland.
Western Rosellas mainly eat the seeds of grasses and other plants, as well as fruits, flowers, insects and their larvae. They feed on the ground, in the foliage of trees and shrubs, in open areas of pasture, on roadsides, golf courses, stubble paddocks and on spilt grain
Western Rosellas choose a nest hollow in a limb or tree trunk, one or more metres deep, with wood dust in the bottom. They may even nest in a hollow stump or post. The female incubates the eggs, leaving the nest in the morning and late afternoon to be fed by the male.
