Bare-Eyed Cockatoo
Description
The bare-eyed cockatoo (Cacatua sanguinea), also known as the little corella, blood-stained cockatoo, short-billed corella, little cockatoo and blue-eyed cockatoo, is a white cockatoo native to Australia and southern New Guinea. It was known as Birdirra among the Yindjibarndi people of the central and western Pilbara. They would keep them as pets, or traditionally cook and eat them. The downy feathers are used in traditional ceremonies and dances where they adorn head and armbands.
The little corella is a small white cockatoo growing to 35–41 cm (14–16 in) in length and weighs 370–630 g (13–22 oz), with a mean weight of 525 g (1.157 lb). It is similar in appearance to both the long-billed corella and the western corella, but the little corella is smaller, and unlike either of those species, it has upper and lower mandibles of similar length. It is easily distinguished from the long-billed corella by the lack of an orange throat bar. C. s. normantoni and C. s. normantoni are a little smaller than the nominate form. C. s. normantoni is lightly brownish on the underside of flight and tail feathers. C. s. gymnopis has darker blue eye-rings, more strongly marked pink lores and a yellow wash to the lower-ear coverts. Females are slightly smaller than males in weight, wing length, culmen size, tarsus length, tail length and eye ring diameter.
Scientific Name
Cacatua sanguinea
Country Of Origin
Australia
Size
Life Expectancy
Noise Level
Loud
Talk / Trick Ability
Moderate
Characteristics
Bare-eyed cockatoos are sociable, sweet and playful, but they can also be demanding and require plenty of interaction and cuddle time. They are smart and known for solving puzzles and other games. Bare-eyed cockatoos can be high-strung, but enjoy an active household. To keep these pet birds happy, they need at least one hour of playtime a day. They also need exercise with their owners and several more hours of supervised out of the cage time.
Behavior / Health Concerns
Bare-eyed cockatoos are susceptible to psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD), fatty liver disease, obesity and bumblefoot. Without enough mental and physical stimulation, bare-eyed cockatoos can resort to destructive behaviors. If not properly taken care of and given enough time with their human flock, they may become loud and frustrated, which can lead to biting, self mutilation or feather picking. Effectively socializing your bare-eyed cockatoo is essential to its good behavior. While these pet birds need attention and time with humans, they must also learn how to be independent and not become accustomed to an excessive amount of human attention. Bare-eyed cockatoos can become territorial once they have matured and are often destructive chewers. These pet birds are known to be dusty birds, which is a concern for those with allergies.