Little Corella

Identification

The little corella is a small white cockatoo growing to 35–41 cm in length and weighing 370–630 grams. Also known as the short-billed corella, bare-eyed cockatoo, or blood-stained cockatoo, it is easily distinguished from related species by its notably shorter bill. Unlike the long-billed corella and western corella, the little corella has upper and lower mandibles of similar length and lacks an orange throat bar. Females are slightly smaller than males across most measurements, including weight, wing length, and eye-ring diameter.

Subspecific variation exists across the species' range. The nominate form C. s. sanguinea is found in Northern Australia, while C. s. gymnopis, found in Central, Eastern, and South-eastern Australia, displays darker blue eye-rings, more strongly marked pink lores, and a yellow wash to the lower ear-coverts. The New Guinean C. s. transfreta and the Cape York Peninsula C. s. normantoni are generally slightly smaller than the nominate form.

Range & Habitat

The little corella is native to mainland Australia in a broad arc from eastern South Australia through Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and the Northern Territory around to coastal Western Australia. It is also native to southern New Guinea and has been introduced to Tasmania. This versatile species inhabits savanna, shrubs, and grasslands as well as increasingly urban settings, from the arid deserts of central Australia to eastern coastal plains. However, they avoid thick forests.

Little corellas have adapted remarkably well to human-modified landscapes and can be found in major cities including Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, and Brisbane. They are numerous in farmlands throughout New South Wales and Queensland. In desert regions, they must fly to watering holes twice daily, while coastal populations enjoy easier access to water. Unfortunately, their success has made them considered crop pests in some areas, causing damage to trees and agricultural crops.

Behaviour & Diet

Little corellas are highly social birds, congregating in flocks of up to several thousand that often include galahs, sulphur-crested cockatoos, and red-tailed black cockatoos. They generally roost in trees overnight and fly off to feed in the early morning, returning in the late evening. Large flocks must sometimes travel many kilometres between feeding and roosting areas. Their high-pitched calls and screeches resemble those of sulphur-crested cockatoos; when flock-calling simultaneously, they can create a deafening sound audible from several kilometres away.

Little corellas primarily feed on the ground, eating a variety of wild and cultivated seeds, lawn grasses, and cereal crops including wheat, barley, and maize. When playing, they become notably noisy, engaging in conversations with each other and performing acrobatic displays by hanging upside-down using their feet, beaks, or both. Breeding occurs from May to October, typically earlier in the northern part of their range, with nests usually located in tree hollows, cliff cavities, or termite mounds.

Best Time & Places to See It

Little corellas are abundant and easily observed throughout their range, making them excellent subjects for wildlife travellers. Early morning and late evening are the most productive times, when large flocks are in active flight between feeding and roosting areas. Urban parks and gardens in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, and Brisbane offer reliable viewing opportunities, as does farmland throughout New South Wales and Queensland. In more remote areas, watering holes in arid regions attract concentrations of birds, particularly in desert areas where they must visit twice daily.

The breeding season from May to October may offer opportunities to observe nesting behaviour and family groups. Large flocks are often mixed-species gatherings, so birders may encounter multiple cockatoo species simultaneously. The highly vocal nature of little corellas means they are often detected by sound before being sighted, allowing travellers to locate active flocks even in open or expansive habitats.

Photography Tips

The little corella's bright white plumage and relatively small size present unique photographic challenges and opportunities. Their active behaviour—particularly acrobatic displays and flock interactions—offers dynamic subjects for action photography. Early morning and late evening light during feeding and roosting flights can produce dramatic silhouettes and backlit shots against coloured skies. Capturing the bare blue eye-rings and pink lores requires close-range focus and is most successful with birds at rest.

Large flocks in flight provide opportunities for impressive flock photography, though the harsh white plumage may require exposure compensation to preserve detail and avoid blown highlights. Urban settings in major cities allow for accessible photography without requiring remote travel. Be prepared for the birds' vocal behaviour—the intense, sustained calling of large flocks creates authentic audio records but may challenge sound recording. Patience and positioning near known roosting or feeding sites will yield the best results for capturing both intimate portraits and impressive collective behaviour.