Cacatua sanguinea
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. The adults measure 35cm - 39cm; young birds are slightly smaller.
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 38cm - 41cm. 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 38cm - 42cm. 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 45cm - 50cm. Its sulphur-yellow crest can also distinguish it.
Little Corellas are widespread throughout Australia, although large gaps separate some populations. Their range is expanding with land clearing and increased sources of water. Escaped or deliberately released cage birds have also helped Numbers in the east of Australia. Little Corellas often form large flocks, especially along watercourses and where seeding grasses are found.
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.
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, and the increase in agricultural crops has increased the birds' numbers in these areas where they may become pests. Some bulbs and fruits may also be eaten.
The Little Corella may breed at any time of the year when conditions are suitable. Birds 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 two to four eggs and both care for the young chicks. The eggs hatch after about 25 days, and the chicks are born 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.
Copyright © Australian Museum, 2003
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