The long-billed corella, also known as long-billed cockatoo or slender-billed corella, is a cockatoo native to Australia, which is similar in appearance to the little corella. This species is mostly white, with a reddish-pink face and forehead, and has a long, pale beak, which is used to dig for roots and seeds. It has reddish-pink feathers on the breast and belly.
Region
Southeast Australia
Typical Environment
Native to western and central Victoria, southeastern South Australia, and parts of southern New South Wales, with feral populations established around major cities such as Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, and Perth. They favor open grassy habitats, farmland, riparian woodlands with eucalypts, and urban parks and golf courses. Birds commonly forage on the ground in pastures and along road verges, and roost in large eucalypts or tall urban trees. Their adaptability to human-modified environments has facilitated range expansion outside their historical core.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Long-billed corellas are highly intelligent and adept mimics, capable of learning a variety of calls and words. Their elongated, pale bill is specialized for digging up roots and corms, especially onion grass, which can make them both helpful in weed control and a nuisance on lawns and sports fields. They form strong, long-term pair bonds and can live for several decades, especially in captivity. In many urban areas they have increased in number due to access to spilled grain and modified landscapes.
Feral parrots in Perth: The bird on the right is using its long beak to dig for food in short grass.
Wild bird in a coachwood/native daphne rainforest at Ourimbah, NSW
Long-billed corella in Melbourne
Many feeding in Melbourne, Australia
Temperament
social and noisy
Flight Pattern
strong flier with steady, shallow wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically seen in pairs or large, cohesive flocks, especially outside the breeding season. They maintain long-term pair bonds and nest in hollows of large eucalypts, lining the cavity sparsely. Communal roosting is common, and flocks often travel between roosts and feeding areas daily.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Loud, rasping screeches and drawn-out wails carry over long distances, especially during flight and at roosts. Also produces softer chattering and contact calls within flocks, and captive birds readily mimic human sounds.
