Western Rosella

1. Only rosella with yellow cheek patches

2. Smallest rosella species, noticeably more petite than other members of the genus

3. Two subspecies with distinct back colouration: red-edged (coastal) and green-edged (inland)

Western Rosellas are primarily herbivorous, feeding on seeds from grasses, eucalypts, sheoaks, and a variety of native and introduced plants. Their diet is supplemented with nectar, fruit, and insects, especially during the breeding season. They breed from August to December, nesting in deep hollows of mature eucalyptsespecially wandoo, marri, and karriwith females incubating the eggs and being fed by the male. Clutch size is typically 4–7 eggs, with chicks fledging about five weeks after hatching. Western Rosellas are generally sedentary, forming pairs or small groups, but may gather in larger flocks when food is abundant`.`

Western Rosellas inhabit open eucalypt forests, woodland edges, riverine corridors, and agricultural landscapes across southwestern Western Australia. They are especially associated with jarrah, wandoo, and marri forests, as well as banksia woodlands and tea-tree thickets. They are often found feeding on the ground in pairs or small groups, and are most active at dawn and early morning. Popular locations include the forests around Pemberton, Stirling Range National Park, and the Darling Range.