General Information

The Little Corella is a white cockatoo native to Australia. It is sometimes called the Bare-eyed cockatoo.

Physical Description

The Little Corella grows to be 36- 39 cm in length and congregates in flocks of up to several thousand birds. Little Corellas are mostly white and have a fleshy blue eye-ring with a pale rose-pink patch between the eye and bill. In flight, their bright sulphur-yellow wash can be seen on the underwing and tail. The sexes are similar in plumage, and the young birds look like the adults as well only slightly smaller.

Diet

The bird generally roosts in trees overnight, and flies off to feed in the early morning with an almost deafening screeching noise. It mostly feeds on the ground, eating seeds that include cereal crops such as wheat and barley. Little Corellas feed in large noisy flocks, and have to drink on a daily basis. The most common foods are grains and grass seeds but they will also eat some bulbs and fruits. The increase in agricultural crops has increased the birds' numbers in these areas which is the reason that they are considered as pests.

Habitat

The Little Corella is found throughout much of Australia, and can be destructive to the trees in which it perches, by chewing the bark off of smaller twigs. Although widespread, large gaps separate some of the populations. Their range is expanding with increased land clearing and sources of water. Escaped or deliberately released cage birds have also helped raise their numbers in the east of Australia. Little Corellas will often form large flocks, especially along watercourses and where seeding grasses are found.

Reproduction

The Little Corella may breed at any time of the year as long as conditions are suitable. Birds are thought to pair for life and will start breeding at the beginning of a long rainy period. The nest site is a suitable tree hollow, lined with shavings of wood. This is normally used for several years in row. Both sexes take part in incubating the two to four eggs and caring for the young chicks. The eggs hatch after about 25 days, and the chicks are born naked and totally dependent on their parents.