Little Corella at the Ponds

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Alice Springs Waste Stabilisation Ponds

The Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea) is a medium size white cockatoo, adults are 35–41 cm in length and edemic to Australia. Of the three corella species found in Australia, the Little Corella is the most widely distributed species in Australia. The other two species, the Western Corella is found in the extreme south-west of Western Australia, and the Long-billed Corella is found in the south-east of Australia.

The Little Corella, scientific name is Cacatua sanguinea – from the Latin sanguineus, sanguinea, sanguineum – meaning blood-red, bloody, bloodstained. Sometimes known as the ‘Blood-stained Cockatoo’, thatrefers to the dark pink markings between the eye and the bill.

The Little Corellas are predominantly white, have a fleshy blue eye-ring (which is much wider below the eye) and a pale rose-pink patch between the eye and the bill. The feathers around the face and neck have a salmon-pink base, that is usually concealed. When in flight, a sulphur-yellow wash can be seen on the underwing and under tail. The bill is short and bone coloured, dark brown iris, and grey legs and feet. Both adult male and female are similar in plumage. The young are also similar in appearance to the adult.

Little Corellas are thought to pair for life. They will often start breeding at the start of a long period of rain. The same nest site (usually a suitable tree hollow), is often used for several years in row. Both male and female will incubate the eggs and take care of the young chicks.

The photographs presented here were taken in the month of May, July and December.

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• Scientific classification
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Subphylum: Vertebrata
• Informal: Gnathostomata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Psittaciformes
• Family: Cacatuidae
• Subfamily: Cacatuinae
• Tribe: Cacatuini
• Genus: Cacatua
• Subgenus: infrageneric Licmetis
• Species: Cacatua sanguinea
• Subspecies:
  • Cacatua (Licmetis) sanguinea gymnopis Sclater, 1871
  • Cacatua (Licmetis) sanguinea normantoni (Mathews, 1917)
  • Cacatua (Licmetis) sanguinea sanguinea Gould, 1843
  • Cacatua (Licmetis) sanguinea westralensis (Mathews, 1917)

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