Short Billed (Little) Corellas
Description:
Short Billed Corellas are also known as Little Corellas. They are mostly white, with a fleshy blue eye-ring and a pale rose-pink patch between the eye and bill. They are roughly 38-41cm high at maturity. The sexes are similar in plumage, and young birds look like the adults, but are slightly smaller. The only definitive way to sex a Short Billed Corella is via DNA or surgical sexing.
Diet:
Short Billed Corellas naturally feed on the ground on grasses, herbs, seeds, nuts, berries, roots, green shoots and leaf buds. Pet Corellas should be fed a mixed diet of seeds, fruits, vegetables, nuts and quality pellets. Our breeding pairs are fed a custom Impulse Parrots premium seed mix that includes a mix of large parrot and small parrot seeds, dried fruits, nuts and Vetafarm Parrot Essentials pellets along with a daily fruit and vegetable chop which is made from whatever is currently in season. Any young we hand raise are also introduced and weaned onto this diet. As Corellas are prone to getting Fatty Liver disease, always limit the amount of Sunflowers that are in their diets.
Breeding:
Short Billed Corellas are thought to pair for life and will start breeding at the start of a long period of rain. They reach maturity later in life at around 4-5 years old. In the wild they typically nest in a suitable tree hollow, lined with shavings of wood. This is normally used for several years in row. Both sexes incubate the eggs and both care for the young chicks. The chicks hatch naked and totally dependent on their parents.
A large deep nest box made from hardwood or a naturally hollow log is recommended for use when breeding captive birds. Fresh branches from native tress such as Gum Trees should be offered for the pairs to encourage them to begin lining their nest boxes and encourage breeding behaviour.
Corellas as Pets:
Hand Raised Corellas make wonderful affectionate pets. They have a good talking ability and love to have hands on attention such as receiving scratches around their head and under their wings. Corellas should be well socialised with many people to help prevent them bonding to a single person. If a Corella bonds to a single person they may become aggressive towards anyone else that comes near their person.
Corellas can be a noisy bird, often calling out with a loud call to find their flock (or person). They should be also provided with a wide range of toys. Due to their high levels of intelligence it is recommended to offer foraging type actives such as placing treats in an egg carton and allowing the bird to destroy it to get to the treats. Corellas do love to chew on wood so good quality safe wood toys should also be provided for their entertainment.
