Little Corella

The Little Corella, also known as the Short-billed Corella, Bare-eyed Cockatoo, Blood-stained Cockatoo, or simply the Little Cockatoo, is a charming white cockatoo native to the landscapes of Australia and southern New Guinea. This bird, with its modest size of 35-41 cm in length and a weight range of 370-630 grams, is a sight to behold as it graces the skies and lands of its habitat.

Identification Tips

Distinguishable from its relatives, the Little Corella sports upper and lower mandibles of similar length, setting it apart from the Long-billed and Western Corellas. It lacks the orange throat bar seen in the Long-billed Corella. Subspecies such as C. s. normantoni and C. s. gymnopis exhibit subtle variations, including a brownish tinge beneath their flight feathers and a yellow wash on the lower-ear coverts, respectively. The females are generally slightly smaller than the males across various physical dimensions.

Habitat

The Little Corella thrives in a range of environments from the arid central deserts to the eastern coastal plains of Australia. However, they are not found in dense forests. These birds have also adapted to urban life, often seen feeding on lawns and playing fields in cities like Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, and Brisbane.

Distribution

The species is divided into several subspecies, each with its own distribution. The nominate form, C. s. sanguinea, is found in Northern Australia, while others like C. s. normantoni, C. s. transfreta, and C. s. gymnopis inhabit the Western Cape York Peninsula, New Guinea, and Central to South-eastern Australia, respectively.

Behaviour

Little Corellas are gregarious, forming flocks that can number in the thousands. These flocks may include a mix of species, such as Galahs and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos. They roost in trees and are known to travel considerable distances between feeding and roosting sites, with desert dwellers making regular trips to watering holes.

Song & Calls

Their vocalizations consist of high-pitched notes and screeches, reminiscent of the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. When in large flocks, their calls can merge into a cacophony that carries for kilometers.

Breeding

Breeding season spans from May to October, with the timing varying geographically. Nests are typically found in tree hollows, cliff cavities, or termite mounds, providing a secure place for raising their young.

Diet and Feeding

On the ground is where Little Corellas most commonly forage, although they will occasionally feed in trees and shrubs. Their diet includes a variety of seeds, both wild and cultivated, and they are known to graze on urban lawns. In some regions, they have become agricultural pests, feeding on crops like wheat, barley, and maize.

Similar Species

The Little Corella can be confused with the Long-billed and Western Corellas, but careful observation of bill length and the presence or absence of an orange throat bar can aid in correct identification.

Conservation status

The Little Corella is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating a stable population without immediate threats to its survival. However, local issues such as crop damage have led to management actions in certain areas.