Little Corella

Cacatua sanguinea

Cockatoos · Psittaciformes · Common

The Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea) is a common cockatoo found in 5 countries, weighing about 524 g. The little corella, also known as the short-billed corella, bare-eyed cockatoo, blood-stained cockatoo, and little cockatoo is a white cockatoo native to Australia and southern New Guinea.

Least ConcernCommonEats seedswoodlandcavity nest524 g

About the Little Corella

The little corella, also known as the short-billed corella, bare-eyed cockatoo, blood-stained cockatoo, and little cockatoo is a white cockatoo native to Australia and southern New Guinea. It was known as Birdirra among the Yindjibarndi people of the central and western Pilbara. They would keep them as pets, or traditionally cook and eat them. The downy feathers are used in traditional ceremonies and dances where they adorn head and armbands.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

The little corella is a small white cockatoo growing to 35–41 cm (14–16 in) in length and weighs 370–630 g (13–22 oz), with a mean weight of 525 g (1.157 lb). It is similar in appearance to both the long-billed corella and the western corella, but the little corella is smaller, and unlike either of those species, it has upper and lower mandibles of similar length. It is easily distinguished from the long-billed corella by the lack of an orange throat bar. C. s. normantoni and C. s. transfreta are a little smaller than the nominate form. C. s. Voice: The call consists of high pitched notes and screeches somewhat similar to the sulphur-crested cockatoo. Large flocks will call simultaneously and can create a deafening screeching sound audible from several kilometers away.

What the Little Corella sounds like

Recording: James Ray · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Puerto Rico.

When to see it

The Little Corella can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify a Little Corella?
The little corella is a small white cockatoo growing to 35–41 cm (14–16 in) in length and weighs 370–630 g (13–22 oz), with a mean weight of 525 g (1.157 lb). Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is a Little Corella?
The Little Corella is a large sized bird weighing about 524 g.
Where can you see a Little Corella?
The Little Corella occurs in 5 countries, including Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
What does a Little Corella sound like?
You can listen to a field recording of the Little Corella on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
What birds look similar to a Little Corella?
The Little Corella is most easily confused with the Long-billed Corella, the Pink Cockatoo and the Tanimbar Corella.
Is the Little Corella endangered?
The Little Corella is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Little Corella for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

Play BeakBrain

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