Little Corella

Overview

The little corella (Cacatua sanguinea), also known as the short-billed corella or bare-eyed cockatoo, is a small white cockatoo native to Australia and southern New Guinea. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and has four recognised subspecies.

Identification

• A small white cockatoo measuring 35–41 cm in length, with upper and lower mandibles of similar length.
• Distinguished from the similar long-billed corella by the absence of an orange throat bar.
• Call consists of high-pitched notes and screeches, similar to the sulphur-crested cockatoo, which can be deafening when produced by large flocks.

Habitat

Native to mainland Australia in a broad arc from eastern South Australia through Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory to coastal Western Australia, as well as southern New Guinea. It inhabits savanna, shrubs and grasses, ranging from arid deserts to eastern coastal plains, but avoids thick forests. The species has also been introduced to Tasmania and is common in urban settings such as Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane.

Diet

Feeds primarily on the ground, though occasionally in trees and shrubs, consuming a variety of wild and cultivated seeds. Regularly feeds on lawn grasses in urban areas and frequently forages on cereal crops such as wheat, barley and maize, often becoming an agricultural pest.

Did you know?

When playing, these birds become very noisy, engaging in conversations and showing off by hanging themselves upside down using their feet, beaks, or both.