Long-Billed Corella vs Western Corella

Long-Billed Corella

Cacatua tenuirostris

Also known as: Slender-Billed Corella

How to recognise a long-billed corella?

General appearance

The long-billed corella is the large, white cockatoo, distinct by its lengthy, sharp beak and a broad, sulphur-yellow band across its chest and neck. It has a white or slightly pink plumage, with a pale blue eye-ring and a prominent, rounded crest. It differentiates itself by a long upper mandible that is used for digging out roots and bulbs.

Male vs female

Male and female long-billed corellas are similar in terms of size and coloration, often making it hard to distinguish between the sexes. However, males typically have a larger body and bill size, and a more intense coloring around the eyes. Female corellas have more circular eyes while males have slightly more oval-shaped eyes.

Juvenile

Juvenile long-billed corellas resemble adults, but are generally smaller in size with shorter bills. They also lack the bright yellow crest, which develops as they age, and have dark brown, rather than black, eyes. Juvenile birds also display a more muted, greyish tone to their plumage.

Size

14.6 - 15.7 in/17.6 - 21.2 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The long-billed corella primarily occupies areas of southeastern Australia, encompassing Victoria and southern New South Wales. They thrive in open woodlands, grassy plains, and farmlands.

Additional range

Corellas are highly adaptable and are also found in urban environments such as parks and suburban gardens, where they often feed.

Range Map

What do long-billed corellas like to eat?

Natural diet

The long-billed corella primarily feeds on seeds, bulbs, corms, and roots of plants. It often digs into the soil to extract these, using its long bill as a tool. In addition to plant roots and bulbs, it consumes grains and occasionally insects. These birds often forage on the ground where they find their diverse natural food sources.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, the long-billed corella is known to consume a variety of seeds, particularly sunflower seeds and mixed birdseed blends. Additionally, they may eat pieces of fruits and nuts. Their adaptable feeding habits allow them to exploit food sources provided by humans, especially in urban settings where bird feeders are more common.

What does a long-billed corella sound like?

The long-billed Corella vocalizes using an array of calls that include soft, high-pitched, musical notes and a loud 'rak-rak'. Their regular call is a clear, descending, plaintive whistle. In flight, they let out high, far-carrying screeches. While feeding on the ground, they often communicate with low, gurgling chatter. It doesn’t have a standardized song, but it can mimic human speech when kept as a pet. Their vocalizations are generally proclaimed during flight or feeding and become intensified and persistent if they sense danger or threat.

Call

Audio by Nick Talbot

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Call

Audio by Nick Talbot

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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Western Corella

Cacatua pastinator

Also known as: Western Long-Billed Corella

How to recognise a western corella?

General appearance

The Western Corella is a large cockatoo native to Australia, most prominently displaying a white plumage. Its most characteristic features include a long, white crest, a hooked beak, and a blue-grey eye ring. The under-wings and tail exhibit a pale yellow color. Importantly, these birds are known for their distinct, loud call, making them easily identifiable in the wild.

Male vs female

Sexual dimorphism is not prominently exhibited within the Western Corella species. Both males and females exhibit white plumage, with pale yellow under-wings and tails. The main difference lies in the iris coloration: males have a dark iris while females possess a lighter, reddish color. Size may also vary, with males being slightly larger than females.

Juvenile

Juveniles of Western Corella species resemble adults, but are generally smaller in size. Their eye coloration is distinctly different from adults, with juveniles showcasing a grey iris which later turns to dark in males, or light reddish in females. Their beaks and feathers also display a softer texture than found in adults. Changes in these characteristics signal the onset of maturity.

Size

14.6 - 17.7 in/19.8 - 28.7 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The western corella, native to Australia, primarily inhabits woodlands, forests, and significant urban areas.

Additional range

Though usually found in Southwest Australia, it has adapted to suburban environments and is occasionally observed in city parks and gardens.

Range Map

What do western corellas like to eat?

Natural diet

The western corella primarily feeds on seeds, grains, fruits, and nuts. It favors seeds of native plants, grains from agricultural land, and occasionally insects. These birds are often seen foraging on the ground for fallen seeds and plant material.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, western corellas are attracted to a variety of seeds such as sunflower seeds, millet, and oats. They might also consume fruits and nuts provided in feeders, making them adaptable to human-influenced environments.

What does a western corella sound like?

The Western Corella, a large white cockatoo native to Australia, exhibits a range of vocalizations including high-pitched, repeated squawks and screeches. These calls, often made in flight or when foraging in groups, serve as communication signals. The bird also demonstrates an ability for mimicry, like other parrots, and can replicate a variety of sounds including human speech when in captivity. While it doesn't sing in the traditional sense, its complex, raucous vocal performances can be considered its own form of song.

Call

Audio by Nigel Jackett

/ CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Call

Audio by Nigel Jackett

/ CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

There's more to learn about Western Corella

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Long-Billed Corella

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Western Corella

Long-Billed Corella

Cacatua tenuirostris

Also known as: Slender-Billed Corella

General appearance

The long-billed corella is the large, white cockatoo, distinct by its lengthy, sharp beak and a broad, sulphur-yellow band across its chest and neck. It has a white or slightly pink plumage, with a pale blue eye-ring and a prominent, rounded crest. It differentiates itself by a long upper mandible that is used for digging out roots and bulbs.

Male vs female

Male and female long-billed corellas are similar in terms of size and coloration, often making it hard to distinguish between the sexes. However, males typically have a larger body and bill size, and a more intense coloring around the eyes. Female corellas have more circular eyes while males have slightly more oval-shaped eyes.

Juvenile

Juvenile long-billed corellas resemble adults, but are generally smaller in size with shorter bills. They also lack the bright yellow crest, which develops as they age, and have dark brown, rather than black, eyes. Juvenile birds also display a more muted, greyish tone to their plumage.

Size

14.6 - 15.7 in/17.6 - 21.2 oz

There's more to learn about Long-Billed Corella

View full details

Western Corella

Cacatua pastinator

Also known as: Western Long-Billed Corella

General appearance

The Western Corella is a large cockatoo native to Australia, most prominently displaying a white plumage. Its most characteristic features include a long, white crest, a hooked beak, and a blue-grey eye ring. The under-wings and tail exhibit a pale yellow color. Importantly, these birds are known for their distinct, loud call, making them easily identifiable in the wild.

Male vs female

Sexual dimorphism is not prominently exhibited within the Western Corella species. Both males and females exhibit white plumage, with pale yellow under-wings and tails. The main difference lies in the iris coloration: males have a dark iris while females possess a lighter, reddish color. Size may also vary, with males being slightly larger than females.

Juvenile

Juveniles of Western Corella species resemble adults, but are generally smaller in size. Their eye coloration is distinctly different from adults, with juveniles showcasing a grey iris which later turns to dark in males, or light reddish in females. Their beaks and feathers also display a softer texture than found in adults. Changes in these characteristics signal the onset of maturity.

Size

14.6 - 17.7 in/19.8 - 28.7 oz

There's more to learn about Western Corella

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How to tell the Long-Billed Corella from the Western Corella

Visual differences

The Long-Billed Corella (14.5-15.7 in, 1.1-1.3 lbs) features a lengthy sharp beak, a broad sulphur-yellow band across its chest, a pale blue eye-ring, and a rounded crest. In contrast, the Western Corella (14.5-17.7 in, 1.2-1.8 lbs) has a hooked beak, a white crest, blue-grey eye-ring, and pale yellow under-wings and tail. Both species exhibit white plumage, but the Long-Billed has a pinkish tone, and the Western's vocalizations are notably loud.

Key differences and behavior

The Long-Billed Corella and Western Corella are both sociable and form large flocks but exhibit distinct behavioral traits. Long-Billed Corellas are highly social, creating lasting monogamous pairs that engage in synchronized displays and mutual care for their young in tree hollows, primarily nesting in eucalyptus trees within southeastern Australia. They use their long bills to dig for roots and bulbs. In contrast, Western Corellas, found mainly in southwestern Australia, are nomadic and known for their loud, distinctive calls and resourceful adaptation to urban environments. They form lifelong bonds and nest in tree hollows, employing leaves and bark for nests. While both species eat seeds and grains, Long-Billed Corellas focus on extracting bulbs and roots, whereas Western Corellas also consume more fruits and nuts. Both are adaptable to human presence, frequently visiting feeders for seeds.

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How to recognise a long-billed corella?

Habitat

What do long-billed corellas like to eat?

What does a long-billed corella sound like?

Call

Call

There's more to learn about Long-Billed Corella

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How to recognise a western corella?

Habitat

What do western corellas like to eat?

What does a western corella sound like?

Call

Call

There's more to learn about Western Corella

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There's more to learn about Long-Billed Corella

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There's more to learn about Western Corella

How to tell the Long-Billed Corella from the Western Corella

Visual differences

Key differences and behavior

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