The little corella, aka bare-eyed cockatoo, blood-stained cockatoo, little cockatoo, short-billed corella, and Birdirra among the Yindjibarndi people of the central and western Pilbara. These birds face the threats of habitat loss and destruction at the hands of clear cutting trees which reduces available nesting hollows, persecution for being considered agricultural pests, intentional carbon dioxide poisoning, trapping, and shooting is also commonplace. They also face competition for nesting hollows from other species of animals. Additionally, hybridization (breeding) with other corella species, such as the western corella, is a concern in western Australia, as it can result in genetic pollution (reduction of genetic purity of localized populations). But through all of this these birds are not only abundant, but their population trend is listed as increasing. The IUCN lists them as Least Concern.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Cacatua sanguinea
Weight: Up to 1.16 lbs.
Length: Up to 16 inches
Wingspan: Up to 39 inches
Lifespan: Up to 80 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) The Yindjibarndi people have traditionally kept them as pets, and they will also cook and eat them. Not cool. Their downy feathers are also utilized in traditional ceremonies and dances where they will adorn their head and arms.
2.) There are currently 5 subspecies recognized: C. s. westralensis, C. s. gymnopis, C. s. transfreta, C. s. normantoni, and C. s. sanguinea.
3.) These cockatoos were first described by English ornithologist John Gould in 1843.
4.) Their preferred habitats are savannas, shrubs, grasslands, and they can even be found in urban environments.
5.) These cockatoos are so common in some locales that they’re considered crop pests that can be destructive to the local trees in which they perch, by chewing the bark off of smaller twigs.
But wait, there’s more on the little corella!
6.) They gather into huge flocks consisting of up to several thousand individuals; often times they will coexist with other birds, such as galahs and other species of cockatoos.
7.) Their calls consist of high pitched notes and screeches.
Did you know…?
In circa 2019, in July approximately 60 individuals fell from the sky and were bleeding through from the mouth and were wailing in apparent anguish. It was suspected that they were all poisoned. In the end, the toxicology report was inconclusive as to the source of the poisoning.
8.) Females lay up to 4 eggs that hatch in up to 26 days.
9.) Wild and cultivated seeds, lawns, wheat, barley, and maize are all readily consumed.
10.) Being a playful bird species, they will become very noisy while doing so. They also frequently hang themselves upside-down via their feet, beaks, or both.
11.) Being an unprotected species, it is permitted to shoot them and kill them via poisoning without a permit by land owners.
Now a Short Little Corella Video!
This video talks about both the little and long-billed corella.
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
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