Northern Rosella vs Western Rosella

Northern Rosella

Platycercus venustus

Also known as: Brown's Rosella, Smutty Rosella

How to recognise a northern rosella?

General appearance

The Northern Rosella is a medium-sized parrot, around 28cm long. It has a black head and neck with a blue patch behind the eye, and white cheek patches. The back and wing coverts are black with yellow borders creating a scalloped pattern. And, its belly is red and blue with black edges.

Male vs female

Gender differences in Northern Rosellas are subtle. Males are typically slightly larger with a bigger beak. The blue patch on the nape is more spread out in males while more concentrated in females. Colors might also be slightly brighter in males, but this is not a reliable indicator.

Juvenile

Juvenile Northern Rosellas have a lot of green on them, particularly on the back and wings, which slowly changes to black as they mature. They also have a smaller beak and their cheek patches are more cream than white. The change from juvenile to adult plumage usually occurs at around one year old.

Size

11.4 - 12.6 in/3.2 - 3.9 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Northern Rosella's preferred habitats are tropical and subtropical woodlands. They typically inhabit the northern regions of Australia, including the top parts of Northern Territory and northwestern parts of Queensland.

Additional range

Though these birds favor warmer climates, they also adapt to urban areas and farmlands, taking advantage of any lightly wooded areas or parks. They rarely occur in areas of intensive agriculture or dense forest.

Range Map

What do northern rosellas like to eat?

Natural diet

The northern rosella primarily feeds on seeds, fruits, berries, and flowers. It forages on the ground and in trees, consuming grass seeds like those from spinifex and other native plants. Insects and their larvae also form a part of their diet, providing essential proteins. The bird is known to feed on eucalyptus nectar as well, playing a role in pollination.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, northern rosellas generally eat a variety of seeds, including sunflower and millet. They might also consume commercial parrot mixes which can contain grains and dried fruits. Providing fresh vegetables like carrots or leafy greens can attract them as well, although seeds tend to be the main attraction for these birds.

What does a northern rosella sound like?

The Northern Rosella is known for its distinct, melodious vocalizations. Its typical calls involve a series of quickly repeated, high-pitched notes, described as ‘pi-pi-pi’, often with a metallic tone. These calls can range from thin and sharp to a more twittering sound, given while the bird is in flight or perched. Unlike other parrot species, the Northern Rosella does not have a very broad range of songs, with its vocal repertoire largely limited to variations of its primary calls. Its calls often carry over long distances, signaling its presence in its native Australian habitats.

Call

Audio by Nick Talbot

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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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.

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Northern Rosella

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Western Rosella

Northern Rosella

Platycercus venustus

Also known as: Brown's Rosella, Smutty Rosella

General appearance

The Northern Rosella is a medium-sized parrot, around 28cm long. It has a black head and neck with a blue patch behind the eye, and white cheek patches. The back and wing coverts are black with yellow borders creating a scalloped pattern. And, its belly is red and blue with black edges.

Male vs female

Gender differences in Northern Rosellas are subtle. Males are typically slightly larger with a bigger beak. The blue patch on the nape is more spread out in males while more concentrated in females. Colors might also be slightly brighter in males, but this is not a reliable indicator.

Juvenile

Juvenile Northern Rosellas have a lot of green on them, particularly on the back and wings, which slowly changes to black as they mature. They also have a smaller beak and their cheek patches are more cream than white. The change from juvenile to adult plumage usually occurs at around one year old.

Size

11.4 - 12.6 in/3.2 - 3.9 oz

There's more to learn about Northern 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

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How to tell the Northern Rosella from the Western Rosella

Visual differences

The Northern Rosella is a larger, medium-sized parrot (11-13 inches) with a black head, blue eye patch, and red-blue belly, while the Western Rosella is smaller (10-10.5 inches), showing a predominantly green-red color with blue cheeks and wings. Northern Rosellas have a white cheek patch, contrasting with Western Rosellas' yellow ("icterotis") cheek patch. Northern Rosellas have a black scalloped back pattern versus the Western Rosella's emerald green with black edges. The Western Rosella features a horn-colored beak and males have a longer red forehead, unlike the subtle gender differences in Northern Rosellas.

Key differences and behavior

The Northern Rosella and Western Rosella, both native to Australia, exhibit distinct behavioral traits. The Northern Rosella, residing in tropical woodlands, is less sociable and typically travels in family units that remain together until young birds mature. Conversely, the Western Rosella, inhabiting eucalyptus forests of southwest Australia, is more social, often seen mingling with other species and comfortably interacting in human settlements. In terms of diet, both species forage mainly on seeds, fruits, and insects, but Northern Rosellas also consume eucalyptus nectar, aiding in pollination. During breeding, Northern Rosellas nest near water sources, while Western Rosellas favor eucalyptus forests, though both use tree hollows. The Northern Rosella’s heavier build (3.5-3.9 oz) contrasts with the lighter Western Rosella (1.8-2.8 oz), which is the smallest of its genus. Both species share similar incubation habits, with females incubating eggs and both parents feeding chicks.

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Northern Rosella or Western Rosella?

Northern Rosella

How to recognise a northern rosella?

Habitat

What do northern rosellas like to eat?

What does a northern rosella sound like?

Call

There's more to learn about Northern Rosella

Western Rosella

How to recognise a western rosella?

Habitat

What do western rosellas like to eat?

There's more to learn about Western Rosella

Northern Rosella

There's more to learn about Northern Rosella

Western Rosella

There's more to learn about Western Rosella

How to tell the Northern Rosella from the Western Rosella

Visual differences

Key differences and behavior

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