gemfyre: (Ground Parrot)
[personal profile] gemfyre
These birds will be familiar. They are often kept as pets and are good talkers.



CORELLAS

There are 3 species of Corella found in the South-West. Only two are found in the metro area and they are both introduced from other parts of Australia (probably via the pet trade). The Western Corella, which is native to the SW, is now endangered and only found in a few small country areas.

Little Corella - Cacatua sanguinea


Photo by me. Taken at Lake Coogee.

The Little Corella is the most common corella in the metro area. So common that it is considered a pest by most people. They are seen in large noisy flocks tearing into eucalypts, palm trees or fruit trees and making a right mess. You can recognise a little corella the following ways -
- White body, with a slight yellow tinge.
- Sometimes have a tinge of pink between the bill and the eye.
- Congregate in large, noisy flocks.

Long-billed Corella - Cacatua tenuirostris


Photo by contini of Birdforum

The Long-billed Corella isn't anywhere near as common in the Perth area as the Little Corella. But you can often find a few individuals at places like the southern side of Lake Monger or at Neil Hawkins Park on Lake Joondalup. Unless you can get a close look, telling these guys apart from the Little Corellas is tough. They hang around together, which can make it easier to compare their features if you get binoculars on them. Long-billed Corellas are distinguished by -
- Looong upper mandible. Don't offer your finger!
- Dark salmon colour on the face and neck.
- White plumage with a yellow wash under the wings.
The photo above shows the distinguishing features very well.
The Long-bills have a different call to the Littles. But it's hard enough describing the calls, let alone the differences, in writing.

The Western Corella looks very similar to the Long-billed Corella, with just a little less pink on the face and neck, a little shorter bill, and a higher crest.

THE ONE EVERYONE KNOWS

Galah - Eolophus roseicapilla


Photo by rebelxt of Birdforum

Perhaps Australia's most well known parrot (among Australians, overseas the Budgerigar is better known). The Galah (often referred to as the Pink-and-Grey Galah or just Pink-and-Grey) is unmistakable.
- Pink and grey plumage. The brightness varies across the country. South-West birds aren't quite as bright as those in the photos.
- Metallic screeching call.
- Congregate in large flocks. Ridiculously large flocks if there is a good food source around.

Galahs and Little Corellas have been known to pair up and interbreed occasionally. Producing offspring that look like particularly pale Galahs or pinkish-greyish Corellas. Keep an eye out for these odd couples.

Date: 2009-06-28 01:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] stonelizard.livejournal.com
Ah, the beautiful Galah... so pretty and lovely, except at 6am when a group of about 40 used to gather at the field opposite my house to create terror and chaos and use those beautiful singing voices to awaken most of the neighbourhood... I kid, loved them, loved watching them in Canberra. There are surprisingly few cockatoos or large parrots here in Brisbane, although I have seen a few corellas, only a couple of galas and none of the large whites whatsoever!

Date: 2009-06-28 02:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tikibirds.livejournal.com
oooo Pretty birdies....

Date: 2009-06-28 02:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] glittery-girl.livejournal.com
Ah cute! We have resident corella's that live in a tree next door. They like to fly over at 11pm each night carrying on! I'm quite fond of them :)

Date: 2009-06-28 02:40 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gemfyre.livejournal.com
We often get them in the palm trees around our house. Down the side of the house is littered with palm fruit and other bits. Destructive things that they are.

Date: 2009-06-28 05:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] pooxs.livejournal.com
can birds interbreed like horses/zebras/donkeys or lions/tigers?

Date: 2009-06-28 05:42 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gemfyre.livejournal.com
Any animals if they're close enough genetically has the potential to interbreed. Generally the offspring are sterile, but not always. I'm not sure if the offspring of Corella/Galah pairings is fertile or not.

Date: 2009-06-28 12:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] drhoz.livejournal.com
icon luv :D

Date: 2009-06-29 02:44 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jet-ski.livejournal.com
My nanna had a pink and grey called 'Winky' - he lived to be 80 or so. He was awesome. He talked and danced and tried to bite off my little fingers, but I loved him. Hehehe.

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