The Western Rosella Platycercus icterotis, less commonly known as the Stanley Rosella, Earl of Derby's parakeet or Yellow-cheeked parakeet, is the smallest species of rosella and is found in the South West of Australia. in Eucalypt forests and timbered areas. Just under 30cm (or one foot) 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.

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, consisting mostly of 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.

Domestic Rosellas

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

Notes

1. ^ "Platycercus / Barnardius - Rosellas". Avian Web. 2006. http://www.avianweb.com/rosellas.htm. Retrieved on 2007-02-08. 
2. ^ "Platycercus icterotis (Kuhl 1820) - Western Rosella". Lexicon of parrots. http://www.arndt-verlag.com/projekt/parse.cgi?Desc=E130.htm&Pic=130_1.JPG. Retrieved on 2007-02-08. 
3. ^ "Western Rosella". Birds in backyards. 29 August 2006. http://birdsinbackyards.net/finder/display.cfm?id=268. Retrieved on 2007-02-08. 
4. ^ "Western Rosella?". Bird board. 2005-09-11. http://www.birdboard.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14834. Retrieved on 2007-02-08.