AUSTRALIAN SPECIALISTS!

Wild Pale-Headed Rosella, Cape York Peninsula

PALE-HEADED ROSELLA (Platycercus adscitus)

    The pale-headed rosella is also commonly referred to as the mealy rosella or blue rosella.  In Australia the pale-headed rosella has a large geographic distribution, ranging from northeastern New South Wales, north into the Cape York Peninsula.  Two subspecies are recognized, one with entirely white cheek patches (P. a. palliceps) (below) and a second with bicolored cheek patches (white close to the eyes changing to blue near the throat-see above photo) (P. a. adscitus).  The bi-color cheeked race occurs in the northern part of the overall distribution, Cape York Peninsula south to Atherton Tablelands, and the white cheeked race occurs in the balance of the range.  This is a lowland species that inhabits farms, cattle station, grasslands and trees bordering rivers.  We have seen this species while hiking in the Cape York Peninsula.  It was relatively common but difficult to spot until it chattered from the top of a eucalyptus tree.  We witnessed them feeding quietly on grass seeds along the side of the road (pictured above).  This rosella bears some resemblance to both the northern rosella and the Eastern rosella, and its geographic distribution saddles that of these other two species.  They feed on seeds, fruit, berries, blossoms and insects.

P. a. palliceps

       This is a very easy rosella to breed and is not hard to find in the US.  Pairs begin nesting in April and are usually done by June.  Pairs will sometimes double clutch.  Juveniles are duller and greener than the adults and usually have red feathers on the head which are later lost.  This species can breed in their first year.

Pricing

$400 per pair, $200 for singles.

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