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Platycercus adscitus palliceps
This little beauty is a Pale-headed Rosella, and it's only in the past few months that I've seen this species in my local area. My first sighting was in August, but prior to that I had no idea this species even existed. It's a very pretty bird, and this fellow was alone, not travelling with a mate. It was chattering away quite happily to itself, and that's what alerted me to its presence. I also recognise the sound of the chatter. There are two subspecies, the better known palliceps (eastern Queensland), also known as the Blue-cheeked Rosella, and adscitus (Cape York Peninsula). Its closest relative is the Eastern Rosella, which replaces it in southeastern Australia.
Feeding at dusk on the buds of a Crepe Myrtle tree (Lagerstroemia indica) which is located on my property. Inner-city suburb of Brisbane.
PS: Dec 13, 2014 - spotted this little fellow again, feeding in the same tree with a mate. He does have a partner after all.
Spotted on Dec 7, 2014
Submitted on Dec 12, 2014
5 Comments
I'm so sorry to hear about your mum. I think it's one of the hardest things we can ever face, to loose those the ones we love. But the love of nature means they don't go too far, and their spirit is always close. I'll lite a candle for you and your mum.
Good to be back thanks Neil. a traumatic, tragic end of 2014, had no place to call home & lost my beloved mum who also loved birds & nature. Project Noah & nature is keeping me close to her. She admired the beauty & diversity in the collections through Project Noah.
Thanks guys. I think it's a lovely bird too. And nice too see you back, KD. You've been away for a while.
Beautiful Neil
Lovely find Neil. Used to see these Rosellas further south in northern NSW as well, but as with many birds and other wildlife the populations have diminished due to a variety of factors. Now when I travel I am excited to see them further west and north with variation in the intensity of colour. I once photographed a nesting pair entering a hole in a tall brick wall on the side of a shop in main street Moree while I was working out there.