Western Rosella

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iWestern Rosella

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Psittaciformes
Family:	Psittacidae
Genus:	Platycercus
Species:	P. icterotis

Binomial name

Platycercus icterotis
(Kuhl, 1820)

The Western Rosella Platycercus icterotis is the smallest species of rosella and is found in south western Australia [1] in Eucalypt forrests and timbered areas. Just under 30cm (or 1') long; they are red from the head to the breast with white or beige-ish yellow cheeks and blue and green patterned wings with males being slightly larger and having a more vibrant yellow cheek colouring. Their bills are a grey 'horn' colour like most Australian parrots.[2]

[edit] Habitat, Breeding and Diet

Western Rosellas socialise in pairs but will often congregate in largish groups of twenty or so to forage when the season permits; their diet is herbivorous feeding mostly on grass and seeds. They nest mostly in hollow tree trunks usually a meter or so deep and will favour hollows that have dust in the bottom (as may be created by insects boring out the tree or limb). The female incubates the eggs and leaves in the morning and afternoon to eat food found by the male.[3]

[edit] Domestic Rosellas

Western Rosellas make reasonable pets however they have a habit of being aggressive if kept with other pets [4]. They are largely sociable with humans and will whistle in return if whistled at.

[edit] References

"Rosellas", Avian Web, October 27, 2006, retrieved October 30, 2006.
"Western Rosellas", Arndt Verlag, October 30, 2006, retrieved October 30, 2006.
"Western Rosella", Birds in Backyards, October 31, 2006, retrieved October 31, 2006.
"Rosellas", Birdboard, April 2006, retrieved October 31, 2006.