The Diet of Eastern and Pale-Headed Rosellas

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Abstract
The diets of 2 closely related parrots, the eastern rosella P. eximius and the pale-headed rosella P. adscitus, were studied by observing feeding at 2 locations in southeastern Queensland [Australia]. 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 82 plants; the pale-headed rosella, more arboreal, 47. 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.