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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: 35-40 cm; wing span: 75-90 cm Body mass: 350-530 g Wing loading [g/cm2]: ca. 0.40

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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. 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 (at grain spills). 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. Other favourite urban haunts are large dead trees, often near water, or - most prominently - tall communication towers in Outback communities.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "sanguinea" In the Northern Territory, at Fogg Dam NR, we saw Little Corellas, 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 Little Corellas, race "sanguinea", regularly at various locations in Perth, WA. Perth is at the southern end of this race's range. M. Eaton spotted Little Corellas, race "sanguinea", at Drysdale River Station, WA, in June 2026. 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]

Close-up frontal view of a Little Corella looking sideways (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Drysdale River Station, WA, June 2026]

Close-up near-frontal/ventral view of a Little Corella (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Drysdale River Station, WA, June 2026]

Close-up near-lateral view of a Little Corella (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Drysdale River Station, WA, June 2026]

Frontal/near-dorsal view of Little Corellas perched 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]

Close-up near-frontal view of a Little Corella (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Claremont, Perth, WA, April 2025]

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

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

Lateral/ventral view of 3 Little Corellas in flight
[Fogg Dam NR, NT, August 2014]

Race "gymnopsis"

ADULT

PAIR

Close-up frontal view of a pair of Little Corellas calling an alarm
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2024]

Frontal/lateral view of a pair of Little Corellas in a huff about the presence of the photographer
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2012]

Lateral view of a pair of Little Corellas (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Cooroy, QLD, December 2017]

Close-up near-dorsal view of a pair of Little Corellas
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, February 2025]

Near-lateral/ventral view of a pair of Little Corellas in flight; even when flying in a flock, one can often see individual pairs staying close together
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2011]

Sex unknown

Close-up frontal view of a Little Corella studying the observer
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2024]

Close-up frontal view of a Little Corella
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2024]

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

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

Frontal/ventral view of a Little Corella looking sideways
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2012]

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

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

Close-up lateral portrait of a Little Corella
[Burren Junction Bore Bath, near Burren Junction, NSW, March 2026]

Lateral portrait of a Little Corella
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, February 2025]

Close-up lateral view of a Little Corella spreading its wings to distract a Lace Monitor
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2024]

Lateral view of a Little Corella looking towards the observer (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 at 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]

Dorsal view of a Little Corella looking sideway - note the unusual pinkish-brown tint (its mate had the same colours); we do not know whether this is due to old or dirty plumage or e.g. due to hybridization
[Eulah Creek, NSW, August 2011]

Lateral view of a small flock of Little Corellas in flight
[Goran Lake, near Gunnedah, NSW, December 2023]

Ventral view in mellow light of a Little Corella in flight
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2012]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Close-up frontal/ventral view of a pair of Little Corellas, left and right, with a juvenile between them
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2024]

Close-up near-lateral/ventral view of a pair of Little Corellas, top and bottom, with a begging juvenile between them
[Eulah Creek, NSW, November 2024]

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]

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)
[Near Narrabri, NSW, April 2017]

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

Lateral/ventral view of a Little Corella working on the edges of the entrance to its nest hollow (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Lateral/ventral view of a pair of Little Corellas working together on the edges of the entrance to their nest hollow
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

There is now a page on species of parrots and cockatoos pruning trees, including a section on how a pair of Little Corellas cleared the surroundings of their nest hollow.

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

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

Frontal view of a pair of Little Corellas sharing some "TLC" - such behaviour is part of a bonding ritual
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)

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

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

"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, February 2006]

Little Corellas often display playful behaviour.

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

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

Little Corellas perform bonding ritual such as allopreening in which the male needs to prove his mettle to show the solely incubating female that he will be a good provider of food (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Jackadder Lake, Perth, WA, April 2025]

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).

"Fruit salad" a la Little Corella - ripe Paddy Melon
[Burren Junction Bore Bath, near Burren Junction, NSW, March 2026]

Grain spill along a rail track
[Burren Junction Bore Bath, near Burren Junction, NSW, March 2026]

Here one of the food sources of Little Corellas: the fruit of an Acacia salicina tree
[Eulah Creek, NSW]

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]

Lateral/ventral view of a Little Corella feasting on the seeds of a lemon-scented gumtree, Eucalyptus citriodora
[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, these Little Corellas and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos did not let go of their food
(photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Maules Creek, NSW, March 2013]

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

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_cp_20260621_1.m4a	sanguinea (SW WA)	Contact calls(?)	© CP
ltcorel_20140817_3.m4a	sanguinea (Top End, NT)	Alarm/annoyed call	© MD
ltcorel_pb_20230908.m4a	sanguinea (Top End, NT)	Alarm calls (mob)	© PB
ltcorel_pb_20210118.m4a	sanguinea (Top End, NT)	Pair with begging juvenile	© PB
ltcorel_cp_20260621.m4a	sanguinea (SW WA)	Various	© CP
ltcorel_cp_20250415.m4a	sanguinea (SW WA)	Various	© CP
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_20241104_3.m4a	gymnopsis (NW NSW)	Alarm (Lace Monitor)	© MD
ltcorel_20241104_2.m4a	gymnopsis (NW NSW)	Alarm (Lace Monitor)	© MD
ltcorel_20241104.m4a	gymnopsis (NW NSW)	Alarm (Lace Monitor) (+ Galah, Magpie-lark)	© MD
ltcorel_20241124.m4a	gymnopsis (NW NSW)	Juvenile calling returning parents + being fed	© MD
ltcorel_20241124_2.m4a	gymnopsis (NW NSW)	Begging calls (juvenile); very faint	© 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.