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12

Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea) Alternate name(s): "Bare-eyed Cockatoo", "Blood-stained Cockatoo", "Short-billed Corella" Aboriginal name(s): Race "gymnopsis": "djayarra", "bidira" (WA); "ngarritj" Size: 36-39 cm Weight: 370-630 g (525 g average)

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Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Little Corellas are small cockatoos. They are almost all-white, except a blue eye patch, an inconspicuous light-pink frons and some yellow tints on the underwings and undertail. They have a small white crest that can only be seen when erected. The bill is light-grey, the eyes are dark, the legs and feet are dark-grey. Twitcher's tip Compared to Long-billed Corellas they have a much shorter upper mandible and a lot less pink on the frons and chest.

Taxonomy, classification See Little Corella at Wikipedia . Click here for classification information Western Corellas have now been given species status and are not any longer considered to be a race of the Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea).

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Little Corella is available HERE . Little Corellas are endemic to Australia, although there are occasional reports from southern New Guinea. NB: Reports on ebird of birds submitted by birdwatchers from the Australian Outback tend to be clustered along roads and public areas such as camp grounds; in such cases their distribution is not a good representation of the overall distribution of the species. Little Corellas have a complex distribution across the Australian continent; for details see a field guide. Nominate race "sanguinea" populates the northern part of the NT and the Kimberley in WA. Race "gymnopsis" basically populates the interior of the eastern half of the continent (now expanding towards the East coast) and the north-western part of WA, basically within a few hundred km of Exmouth, WA. At times they are also found along the East coast of the continent. Along the southern tip of the Gulf of Carpentaria and the West coast of Cape York peninsula race "normantoni" is found. Originally prevalent in semi-arid habitats, especially near inland water courses lined with River Red Gums, Little Corellas are (since the advent of sorghum farming in the 1960ies) extending their range by adapting to human activities. They are now also found around farms, roads and in urban parks, where they find many different sources of food (seeds), and also in commercial crops. Where to look? How to find this species? Where present, Little Corellas are hard to miss. Their incessant calls can often be heard over long distances. They are most easily found near food sources, such as e.g. commercial crops and along rural roads (where trucks have lost grain). Hundreds of birds can be seen if one knows where to find their roosting colonies, often in River Red Gums. They can also often be found in seed-bearing ornamental trees in gardens.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "sanguinea" In the Northern Territory, at Fogg Dam NR, we saw nominate race "sanguinea" in October 1997 and again in August 2014. B. Hensen reports spotting Little Corellas, nominate race "sanguinea", regularly around Darwin, NT. J. Greaves reports spotting Little Corellas, race "sanguinea", regularly in Perth, WA. They were also spotted at Boolardy Station, Murchison, WA, in August 2016. C. Pears reports finding a Little Corella, race "sanguinea", at Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, in August 2022. Perth is at the southern end of this race's range. Race "gymnopsis" Little Corellas, race "gymnopsis", which are in principle cockatoos of the Australian interior, have extended their range eastwards over the past few decades. Prior to the advent of sorghum farming, in the 1950ies to 1960ies, they did not live in the Narrabri area. Narrabri, NSW, now lies in an area where the habitats of Little Corella, race "gymnopsis", and Sulphur-crested Cockatoo overlap and where both species are now common to abundant. These days Little Corellas, race "gymnopsis", are regularly found along the banks of the Namoi River, near Narrabri, NSW. They are also found by us around reliable sources of food, such as e.g. olive groves. For that reason, Little Corellas are seen regularly at Eulah Creek, 20 km East of Narrabri, NSW, often in conjunction with Sulphur-crested Cockatoos. We have encountered Little Corellas, race "gymnopsis", during a visit to the radio observatory at Parkes, NSW, in 2003. Seen also during a trip into the far West of NSW and into South Australia, towards the Flinders Ranges and Gammon Ranges in March 2008. Especially along the banks of the Darling River they were numerous at a time when rainwater runoff was flowing down the river after substantial rainfalls in south-western QLD. In recent years (since 2011) we have also spotted Little Corellas, race "gymnopsis", on the NSW North Coast, at Urunga Heads, and the NSW Central Coast, at Gorokan. These locations are on the edge of the birds' range. M. Eaton reports finding Little Corellas, race "gymnopsis", in Gatton, QLD, in December 2017. M. Mearns found Little Corellas, race "gymnopsis", in Diamantina NP, QLD, in August 2019. A. Ross-Taylor finds Little Corellas, race "gymnopsis", regularly on the Gold Coast, QLD. Others were found at Longreach, QLD, in May 2023. Twitcher's tip Because Little Corellas are currently (1960ies to present) extending their range eastward, the distribution information for this species given in some field guides (especially older editions) may be inaccurate.

Photos

Race "sanguinea"

ADULT

Sex unknown

Frontal view of a Little Corella feeding on the ground (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Monger, Perth, WA, August 2022]

Little Corellas sitting in a tree; one can see that there is hardly any pink between eye and bill (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Darwin, NT, August 2013]

Flock of Little Corellas sitting in a tree (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Darwin, NT, August 2013]

(Near-)lateral view of Little Corellas (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Dianella, Perth, WA, December 2014]

Near-dorsal view of a Little Corella feeding on the ground (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Monger, Perth, WA, August 2022]

Near-dorsal view of a Little Corella spreading its wings (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, August 2022]

Lateral/near-dorsal comparison between a Little Corella, left, and a Western Corella (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Monger, Perth, WA, August 2022]

Latral viw of a Little Corella taking off from the ground (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Boolardy Station, Murchison, WA, August 2016]

Near-lateral view of a Little Corella in flight
[Fogg Dam NR, NT, August 2014]

Lateral view of Little Corellas in flight
[Fogg Dam NR, NT, August 2014]

Race "gymnopsis"

ADULT

PAIR

Pair of Little Corellas (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cooroy, QLD, December 2017]

Sex unknown

Frontal portrait of a Little Corella (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gold Coast, QLD, May 2017]

Frontal view of a Little Corella
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2012]

Frontal view of a Little Corella (photo courtesy of M. Windeyer)
[Gilgandra, NSW, April 2015]

Near-lateral view of a Little Corella
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2012]

Two Little Corellas in a huff about the presence of the photographer
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2012]

Frontal view of a Little Corella spreading its wings, exposing the prominent yellow tint of its underwings
[Gorokan, NSW, June 2011]

Near-lateral view of a Little Corella (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Stanthorpe, QLD, February 2021]

Lateral view of a Little Corella (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Maules Creek, NSW, March 2013]

Lateral view of a Little Corella; note how, while in rest, the edge of the lower mandible fits into a groove in the upper one
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2007]

Lateral view of a Little Corella (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, December 2017]

Dorsal view of a Little Corella; the point of the upper mandible is pushed into the cavity of the lower one
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2007]

Little Corella reaching for a seed pod
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2007]

Little Corellas on the edge of a trough drinking on a hot summer's day
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2006]

Little Corellas on the edge of a trough drinking on a hot summer's day
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2006]

This Little Corella - and its mate - were observed by us at the end of winter; note the unusual pinkish-brown tint; we do not know whether this is due to old or dirty plumage or other causes
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2011]

Little Corellas in flight seen from underneath
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2012]

PBFD - psittacine beak and feather disease

Near-frontal view of two Little Corellas - the one on the left looks dirty and sick, probably affected by PBFD
(photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Near Longreach, QLD, May 2023]

Near-frontal view of a dirty Little Corella; although found in a recently burnt area, it is probably also affected by PBFD
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kakadu NP, NT, June 2023]

Near-dorsal view of a dirty Little Corella; although found in a recently burnt area, it is probably also affected by PBFD
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kakadu NP, NT, June 2023]

Hybridisation

Little Corellas can hybridise with both Galahs and Major Mitchell's Cockatoos.

Little Corella x Major Mitchell's Cockatoo hybrids

Frontal view of a Little Corella x Major Mitchell's Cockatoo hybrid in captivity (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)

Lateral view of a Little Corella x Major Mitchell's Cockatoo hybrid in captivity (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)

Breeding information

Breeding season: May - Oct

Eggs: 2 - 4

Incubation period: 24 days

Fledging age: 42 - 56 days

The breeding season depends significantly on geographical latitude. Cockatoos are sociable creatures which often nest in loose colonies, also in conjunction with other species.

Two Little Corellas working on the production of the next generation
[O'Brien's Creek, Narrabri Lake, NSW, August 2011]

A. Ross-Taylor reports Little Corellas breeding on the Gold Coast, QLD, in the 2014 breeding season.

Two Little Corellas inspecting a nesting hollow (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Gold Coast, QLD, July 2014]

Nest

"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Tree hollow

Material: Woodchips

Height above ground: 5 - 25 m

Close-up near-frontal view of a pair of Little Corellas outside their nest hollow
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Eagleby Wetlands, near Brisbane, QLD, November 2020]

Little Corellas' version of "home, sweet home"... Hollow-nesting species such as cockatoos start selecting their new home early, before the start of the new breeding season (which is usually defined by the winter solstice)
[April 2017]

This Little Corella, seen in a River Red Gum, is preparing its nest for the upcoming breeding season
[O'Brien's Creek, Narrabri Lake, NSW, June 2012]

Eggs

"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size: 35 x 25 mm

Colour: White

Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal

Mobility: Dispersive/sedentary

Elementary unit: Flock

Little Corellas are very sociable birds who prefer to live in large numbers.

Small flock of Little Corellas feeding
[Narrabri, NSW, September 2011]

Flock of Little Corellas foraging on a mudflat
[Fogg Dam NR, NT, August 2014]

"Little Corella tree" (photo courtesy of M. Mearns)
[Burketown, QLD, September 2019]

There is now a separate page describing a flock of Little Corellas roosting on the ground.

As shown in some of the photos presented on this page, Little Corellas are often seen by us together with Sulphur-crested Cockatoos (while in the past their ranges did not overlap).

An example of peaceful (although not always quiet) co-habitation - a flock of Little Corellas, together with Sulphur-crested Cockatoos
[Near Boggabri, NSW, 2006]

Little Corellas often display playful behaviour.

Here an example of playful behaviour shown by Little Corellas
[Eulah Creek, NSW, July 2011]

Little Corellas playing silly buggers...
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2011]

Even when flying in a large flock, Little Corellas visibly form pairs when flying together.

Some Little Corella "TLC"... (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)

Near-lateral/ventral view of a pair of Little Corellas in flight
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2011]

Flock of about 500-700 Little Corellas in flight
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2011]

Food, Diet

Adults: Seeds

Dependents: Regurgitated seeds

Water intake: Daily

Like basically all cockatoos, Little Corellas are seed-eaters, where seeds include those in cones and nut-like fruit, for example those of Acacia salicina (see below). They also take grass seeds (and commercial crops).

Here one of the food sources of Little Corellas: the fruit of an Acacia salicina tree

Frontal view of a Little Corella feeding in an Acacia salicina; note the use of the upper mandible inside the lower one
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2007]

This Little Corella and its mates were feasting on the seeds of a lemon-scented gumtree
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2011]

Little Corellas taking unripe seeds of a Grevillea robusta
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2022]

Little Corella taking fruit (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Moggill Regional Park, near Anstead, QLD, April 2017]

Little Corellas feasting on seed cones (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Maules Creek, NSW, March 2013]

Even when disturbed, the Little Corellas and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos did not let go of their food
(photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Maules Creek, NSW, March 2013]

Little Corellas raiding wattle shrubs at the back of our property
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2011]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

ltcorel_20140817.mp3	sanguinea (Top End, NT)	Contact call	© MD
ltcorel_20140817_3.m4a	sanguinea (Top End, NT)	Alarm/annoyed call	© MD
ltcorel_pb_20210118.m4a	sanguinea (Top End, NT)	Pair with begging juvenile	© PB
ltcorel_20140817_3.m4a	sanguinea (Top End, NT)	?	© MD
ltcorel_20211207.m4a	gymnopsis (NW NSW)	Contact call (in-flight)	© MD
ltcorel_20200715_2.m4a	gymnopsis (NW NSW)	Contact calls, Q&A	© MD
ltcorel_20200715_3.m4a	gymnopsis (NSW)	Warning calls(?), Q&A	© MD
ltcorel_20140312.m4a	gymnopsis (NW NSW)	Large flock in flight	© MD
ltcorel_20200715.m4a	gymnopsis (NSW)	? (in-flight)	© MD
ltcorel_art_20131204.m4a	gymnopsis (SE QLD)	?	© ART

More Little Corella sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site? If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.

Disclaimer: Comments are always welcome. We give no guarantee that the information presented on these pages is always correct or up-to-date. External links are marked as such and we take no responsibility for the contents of external pages. All images on this site are protected by copyright & used by permission of the respective owners. If you wish to reproduce them or any of the material presented on this web site, please contact us: We hereby acknowledge the original custodians of the land which is described on these pages, including the Gomeroi/Gamilaraay people of the North-west Slopes and Plains of NSW, and the traditional owners of other lands and nations within this country. We acknowledge elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.          Last updated: Mon, 4 September 2023, 8:57 +00:00