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Little Corellas

The Little Corella are the most naturally inquisitive, intelligent, playful, (and destructive!) birds. We've planned our landscapes and wetlands in Salisbury to be inviting to Australian birds and wildlife.

While we are currently having issues with the Corella population size and the extended time they’re staying, we fully expect to see them back next year and into the future.

Some areas of Salisbury are in the migratory corridor for the Little Corella, which spend several months a year here in summer (usually between December and March) during their flocking season. They historically arrive in flocks of 20 to 30 to forage for food, roost, play and flock with their bird community, only now we are seeing them in increased numbers. As the weather cools they pair off, and return to their home base in the rural areas to nest and breed (a Corella prefers to return to their ‘own’ hollow to nest).

Why are there so many Corella in Salisbury now?

The Corella population 'problem' is only recent (since 2017), following stellar breeding and ample food supplies in the 2016 cycle, and their population boomed. We are now seeing greatly increased flock sizes and extended stays.

Why do we need to control them?

The Corella damage our native environment, crops, public and private property, and they pose a potential threat of overwhelming other native species, including other birds.

Some of the damage includes:

  • Digging up newly planted crops and existing crops of almonds, vegetables, fruit, and horticultural gardens, as well as irrigation systems;
  • Stripping established native trees;
  • Damaging grassed public playing surfaces, leaving sizable and dangerous holes in the surface;
  • Damaging private property, including chewing of wires, guttering, stripping out seals between roof tiles and window frames, chewing garden plants;
  • Taking apart street-light fittings;
  • Destroying shade sails in public playgrounds;
  • Damaging telecommunication and lighting towers by chewing through cabling;
  • Creating excessive noise.

What are we doing about it?

If we do nothing it will encourage the populations to stay and breed, which will lead to more problems, complaints and less chance of being able to manage the problem.

After consultation with specialists in this area, we are managing the population firstly by gathering data about the numbers and the areas of most concern. This includes ground surveys, mapping of roosts and roost exodus counts. Following this some dispersal may be undertaken.

At this stage, we have no intention of culling, but we do need to manage the population to mitigate the damage.

What devices will the team use?

They use a range of devices to create bursts of noise to disperse them in a predetermined direction.

What impacts will this have on Corellas, other native birds and pets?

The measures are targeted only on flocks of Corellas, which have memory imprints of sounds associated with lethal action. Other bird species have minimal association with the sounds (which are only activated in short bursts and not continuous) due to not having been part of massive flocks.

  • It is recommended you keep nervous dogs inside during this period, the sounds will be similar to cars backfiring;
  • The sounds will be aimed towards flocks sitting in open areas and not towards homes, unless this can’t be avoided.
  • This method is aimed purely at flocks of corellas and not other bird species (including those in aviaries).
  • If you are concerned for your birds, it is recommended you place a canvas cover or blanket over your cage or aviary on the day the teams will be in your location.

Where will the birds go?

  • The idea is to discourage the birds from roosting in the same spot and encourage them to return to their breeding ground in the rural areas;
  • There are only two options – either leave them where they are, allowing an increase in their numbers or encourage them to return to their home base;
  • This must be accompanied by other passive management action, such as watering at night-time and reducing food sources;
  • These birds pick their roost site based on the presence of a suitable perch, turf grasses, a known site for water or previous roosts known to be safe; and
  • They will not randomly select farmland or any backyard.

For more information

Download the Little Corella management fact sheet here.