Little Corella at nest hollow.
Photo: M Seyfort © Australian Museum
Little Corella at nest hollow.
Photo: M Seyfort © Australian Museum
Distribution map of Cacatua sanguinea
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
Little Corella
Scientific name: Cacatua sanguinea
Family: Cacatuidae
Order: Psittaciformes
- Featured Bird Groups
- Parrots
What does it look like?
Description
Little Corellas are mostly white, with a fleshy blue eye-ring and a pale rose-pink patch between the eye and bill. In flight, a bright sulphur-yellow wash can be seen on the underwing and under tail. The sexes are similar in plumage, and young birds look like the adults, but are slightly smaller.
Similar species
In Australia there are two other species of corella. Both are similar in plumage to the Little Corella, but are larger. The Long-billed Corella, C. tenuirostris, measures 38 cm - 41 cm. It also differs by having an orange-scarlet band across the throat, and the upper part of the bill being longer than the lower part. The Western Corella, C. pastinator, measures 38 cm - 42 cm. It too has a longer upper bill (slightly smaller than that of the Long-billed Corella), but also has a larger white crest. One other large white species of cockatoo in Australia is the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, C. galerita. This species is larger than the Corellas, measuring 45 cm - 50 cm and it has a sulphur-yellow crest.
Where does it live?
Distribution
Little Corellas are widespread throughout Australia, although large gaps separate some populations. The Little Corella is the most widely distributed of the three corella species found in Australia. The Western Corella is confined the extreme south-west of Western Australia, and the Long-billed Corella is found in the south-east.
Habitat
Little Corellas often form large flocks, especially along watercourses and where seeding grasses are found.
What does it do?
Feeding
Little Corellas feed in large noisy flocks. The birds feed mainly on the ground, and have to drink on a daily basis. The most common foods are grains and grass seeds. Some bulbs and fruits may also be eaten.
Breeding
Little Corellas are thought to pair for life and will start breeding at the start of a long period of rain. The nest site is a suitable tree hollow, lined with shavings of wood. This is normally used for several years in row. Both sexes incubate the eggs and both care for the young chicks. The chicks hatch naked and totally dependent on their parents.
Breeding pairs nest in large colonies, and several nests may be found in the same tree. Where their ranges overlap, different corella species may nest together, but they are not thought to breed with each other.
Living with us
Living with humans
The Little Corella's range is expanding with land clearing and increased sources of water. The increase in agricultural crops has so increased the birds' numbers in some areas they may become pests. Escaped or deliberately released cage birds have also helped numbers in the east of Australia.
References
Crome, F. and Shields, J. 1992. Parrots and Pigeons of Australia. Angus and Robertson/National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife, Sydney.
Pizzey, G. and Knight, F. 1997. Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Sydney.
Schodde, R. and Tideman, S.C. (eds) 1990. Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds (2nd Edition). Reader's Digest (Australia) Pty Ltd, Sydney.