ID Corellas
Australia is home to three corella species. This guide helps you tell apart the Little, Long-billed, and Western Corella using key visual features like bill shape, eye colour, and facial markings.
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Little Corella
Australia’s smallest corella can be identified by its head crest, splash of pink in front of its eye and its shorter upper bill (known as the ‘upper mandible’). It is widespread throughout Australia, although large gaps separate some populations.
Long-billed Corella
The Long-billed Corella can be identified by its head crest, orangey-red around its eye, orangey-red on its throat and a longer upper bill. It is mainly found in south-east Australia but there are a few other populations that might have been established by escaped caged birds.
Western Corella
The Western Corella is almost a hybrid of the Little and Long-billed. It has a shorter head crest, red/pink in front of its eye and white neck like the Little Corella. But it has a longer upper bill, like a Long-billed Corella. It is only found in southern Western Australia.
Podcast episodes
Learn more about corellas and other cockatoos in these Weekend Birder episodes: