Eastern Rosella vs Western Rosella

Eastern Rosella

Platycercus eximius

How to recognise an eastern rosella?

General appearance

The eastern rosella is a medium-sized parrot known for its stunningly colorful plumage. It has a red head and white cheeks, with black and bright yellow back and shoulders. The underparts are yellowish to blue-green transitioning to a greenish-blue tail. The wings showcase a mix of bright blue and crimson shades. This parrot's bill is white, eyes brown and legs grey.

Male vs female

Males and females of this species are similar in coloration but can be differentiated by size and features. Males tend to be slightly larger, with a broader head and beak. Their plumage is also more vibrant than females', particularly the reds and blues. Additionally, the skin around the male's eye is bare and white, whereas the female’s is feathered.

Juvenile

Juvenile eastern rosellas resemble adults, but their coloring is duller. Their bill is a pale blue-grey, becoming white as they mature. The coloring on their chest is also more greenish compared to adults and they lack the stark white cheeks, which develop over time. Their eyes are a darker brown than adults.

Size

11.0 - 12.6 in/3.4 - 4.2 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Eastern Rosella primarily inhabits open woodlands, gardens, parks and agricultural lands in southeastern Australia, including Tasmania.

Additional range

Outside primary range, Eastern Rosellas adapt to urban areas and have also been introduced successfully to New Zealand and Indonesia.

Range Map

What do eastern rosellas like to eat?

Natural diet

Eastern rosellas primarily consume seeds, fruits, flowers, and nectar from a variety of plants. Their diet in the wild includes seeds from grasses, shrubs, and trees. They are also known to eat insects and their larvae, providing a source of protein. These birds forage both in the trees and on the ground, selecting accessible food items.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, eastern rosellas are commonly attracted to seed mixes formulated for parrots or other small birds. They particularly enjoy sunflower seeds, millet, canary seed, and oats. Additionally, they may be offered fruits such as apples and pears, as well as leafy greens and vegetables like corn and peas. Providing a variety of seeds and fresh produce ensures they receive balanced nutrition.

What does an eastern rosella sound like?

The Eastern Rosella is known for its loud, clear, piping call, commonly rendered as "fwitch-a-will". They produce a variety of chirrups, twitters, and soft chattering when feeding. When alarmed, they may give a shrill screech. While they are not known for their melodic song, these birds are capable of mimicking human speech and other sounds when kept in captivity. Their vocalizations tend to be more frequent and louder at dawn and dusk.

Call

Audio by Oceancetaceen Alice Chodura

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

Call

Audio by Oceancetaceen Alice Chodura

/ CC BY-SA 3.0

There's more to learn about Eastern Rosella

View full details

Western Rosella

Platycercus icterotis

Also known as: Moyadong

How to recognise a western rosella?

General appearance

The Western Rosella is a small parrot, measuring up to 28cm in length, predominantly green and red in color with patches of blue on the cheeks and wings. Its back is emerald green with blackish edges. Its tail is a dark shade of blue and its beak is a horn color. This species is distinguished by its vivid color patterns and smaller size.

Male vs female

In terms of gender differences, males tend to have a brighter hue and their red forehead extends to the nape while females have a shorter red patch, starting from the forehead to above the eyes. Females also possess duller green, whereas males have vibrant green backs. Lastly, males have longer upper tail-coverts than females.

Juvenile

Juveniles are similar to females in coloration, but the red patch on their head is even smaller, and their green hues are significantly duller. In addition, juvenile beaks and irises are darker compared to adults. The young birds acquire the adult-like plumage after their first molt that occurs roughly a year after hatching.

Size

9.8 - 10.2 in/1.8 - 2.8 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The western rosella primarily resides in eucalyptus forests and woodlands of southwestern Australia, favored for hollow trees for nesting.

Additional range

While typically found in dry climates, they can adapt to suburban areas, orchards, and farmlands where food and water resources are available.

Range Map

What do western rosellas like to eat?

Natural diet

The western rosella primarily feeds on seeds, fruits, and berries. It also consumes blossoms, nuts, and small insects. In the wild, it often feeds on the ground and is known to eat grass seeds and a variety of flora found in its native habitat, such as marri and karri trees.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, western rosellas are attracted to a variety of seeds, including sunflower and millets. They may also eat fresh fruits and vegetables offered in feeding stations, such as apple slices and leafy greens. These birds enjoy soft seeds and may adapt their diet to include other available feeds provided by enthusiasts.

There's more to learn about Western Rosella

View full details

Eastern Rosella

Tap To compare

Western Rosella

Eastern Rosella

Platycercus eximius

General appearance

The eastern rosella is a medium-sized parrot known for its stunningly colorful plumage. It has a red head and white cheeks, with black and bright yellow back and shoulders. The underparts are yellowish to blue-green transitioning to a greenish-blue tail. The wings showcase a mix of bright blue and crimson shades. This parrot's bill is white, eyes brown and legs grey.

Male vs female

Males and females of this species are similar in coloration but can be differentiated by size and features. Males tend to be slightly larger, with a broader head and beak. Their plumage is also more vibrant than females', particularly the reds and blues. Additionally, the skin around the male's eye is bare and white, whereas the female’s is feathered.

Juvenile

Juvenile eastern rosellas resemble adults, but their coloring is duller. Their bill is a pale blue-grey, becoming white as they mature. The coloring on their chest is also more greenish compared to adults and they lack the stark white cheeks, which develop over time. Their eyes are a darker brown than adults.

Size

11.0 - 12.6 in/3.4 - 4.2 oz

There's more to learn about Eastern Rosella

View full details

Western Rosella

Platycercus icterotis

Also known as: Moyadong

General appearance

The Western Rosella is a small parrot, measuring up to 28cm in length, predominantly green and red in color with patches of blue on the cheeks and wings. Its back is emerald green with blackish edges. Its tail is a dark shade of blue and its beak is a horn color. This species is distinguished by its vivid color patterns and smaller size.

Male vs female

In terms of gender differences, males tend to have a brighter hue and their red forehead extends to the nape while females have a shorter red patch, starting from the forehead to above the eyes. Females also possess duller green, whereas males have vibrant green backs. Lastly, males have longer upper tail-coverts than females.

Juvenile

Juveniles are similar to females in coloration, but the red patch on their head is even smaller, and their green hues are significantly duller. In addition, juvenile beaks and irises are darker compared to adults. The young birds acquire the adult-like plumage after their first molt that occurs roughly a year after hatching.

Size

9.8 - 10.2 in/1.8 - 2.8 oz

There's more to learn about Western Rosella

View full details

How to tell the Eastern Rosella from the Western Rosella

Visual differences

The Eastern Rosella, measuring 11-12.5 inches and weighing 3.4-4.2 ounces, features a vibrant red head with white cheeks and black and yellow back. It transitions to a greenish-blue tail. In contrast, the Western Rosella, smaller at 9.8-10.2 inches and lighter at 1.8-2.8 ounces, displays a red head with blue cheeks and an emerald green back. Unlike the Eastern Rosella, the Western Rosella's beak is horn-colored, and its tail is dark blue, with males showing brighter colors than females.

Key differences and behavior

The Eastern Rosella and Western Rosella, both native to Australia, differ notably in behavior and habitat preferences. The Eastern Rosella (3.3-4.2 oz, 11-12.6 inches) is more urban-adapted, often found in parks and gardens beyond its open woodland habitat, and actively forages both in trees and on the ground for seeds, fruits, and insects. It is known for its boldness around humans. Conversely, the Western Rosella (1.8-2.8 oz, 9.8-10.2 inches) thrives in eucalyptus forests of southwestern Australia and is more inclined to ground feeding, consuming a diverse diet of seeds and berries. While both engage in mutual preening and vocalizations during courtship, the Eastern Rosella is noted for its dramatic wing and head displays, whereas the Western Rosella emphasizes colorful plumage and flight displays. Both nest in tree hollows and share similar breeding behaviors, yet the Eastern Rosella is more common in suburban settings.