Long-billed corella

Appearance

The adult long-billed corella measures from 38 to 41 cm in length, has a wingspan of about 80–90 cm and averages 567 g in weight. It has a long bone-coloured beak, and a rim of featherless bluish skin around the eyes. The plumage is predominantly white with reddish feathers around the eyes and lores. The underside of the wings and tail feathers are tinged with yellow

Distribution

The long-billed corella can be found in the wild around western Victoria and southern New South Wales. Feral populations have sprung up in Sydney, Perth, Hobart and SE Queensland from the release of captive birds. This has implications in Western Australia where this species may hybridize with the endangered southern race of the western corella. It has extended its range in the past 15 years or so and can now be found right through central Victoria including areas around Melbourne.

The long-billed corella is found in grassy woodlands and grasslands, including pasture, fields of agricultural crop, and urban parks.

Habitat

The long-billed corella can be found in the wild around western Victoria and southern New South Wales. Feral populations have sprung up in Sydney, Perth, Hobart and SE Queensland from the release of captive birds. This has implications in Western Australia where this species may hybridize with the endangered southern race of the western corella. It has extended its range in the past 15 years or so and can now be found right through central Victoria including areas around Melbourne.

The long-billed corella is found in grassy woodlands and grasslands, including pasture, fields of agricultural crop, and urban parks.

Reproduction

Breeding generally takes place from July to November. Long-billed corellas form monogamous pairs and both sexes share the task of building the nest, incubating the eggs and caring for the young. Nests are made in decayed debris, the hollows of large old eucalypts, and occasionally in the cavities of loose gravely cliffs. 2–3 dull white, oval eggs are laid on a lining of decayed wood. The incubation period is around 24 days and chicks spend about 56 days in the nest.

Food

The long-billed corella typically digs for roots, seeds, corms and bulbs, especially from the weed onion grass. Native plants eaten include murnong and ''Microseris lanceolata'', but a substantial portion of the bird's diet now includes introduced plants. They also eat sunflower seeds.

Uses

Long-billed corellas are now popular as pets in many parts of Australia, although they were formerly uncommon, and their captive population has stabilised in the last decade. This may be due to their ability to mimic words and whole sentences to near perfection. The long-billed corella has been labeled the best "talker" of the Australian cockatoos, and possibly of all native Psittacines.