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gemfyreThese 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.
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.
