The diet of Eastern and Pale-headed Rosellas

Abstract

The diets of two closely related parrots, the Eastern Rosella Platycercus eximius and the Pale-headed Rosella P. adscitus, were studied by observing feeding at two locations in south-eastern Queensland. Both species were mainly herbivorous and usually ate different species of plants. The Eastern Rosella, a more ground-feeding species, ate the fruits and seeds (and to a lesser extent the flowers) of eighty-two plants; the Pale-headed Rosella, more arboreal, forty-seven. Seasonal variation in the diet was evident, although only a few foods were important for each species in any month. Both species ate insects attached to Eucalyptus leaves during the cooler months, the Eastern Rosella more so than the Pale-headed. Dietary differences between the species are discussed in relation to geographical differences in floral composition and preferred feeding station.