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~Little Corella~
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
I captured this image quite a while back at the Mt Barker Wetlands. I have been tossing up in my head whether to post it or not. It was the first image I have ever captured of birds in flight. It is a shame that the top right bird was shaded by the other. The image was heavily cropped.
Initially I posted this image as being Sulphur Crested Cockatoo's but have been questioned by a couple of members. After doing some further research I believe the bird must be Little Corella's which was suggested by John Plumb. Thanks for that John.
Little Corella
Scientific name: Cacatua sanguinea
Family: Cacatuidae
Order: Psittaciformes
Description
Little Corellas are mostly white, with a fleshy blue eye-ring and a pale rose-pink patch between the eye and bill. In flight, a bright sulphur-yellow wash can be seen on the underwing and under tail. The sexes are similar in plumage, and young birds look like the adults, but are slightly smaller.
Similar species
In Australia there are two other species of corella. Both are similar in plumage to the Little Corella, but are larger. The Long-billed Corella, C. tenuirostris, measures 38 cm - 41 cm. It also differs by having an orange-scarlet band across the throat, and the upper part of the bill being longer than the lower part. The Western Corella, C. pastinator, measures 38 cm - 42 cm. It too has a longer upper bill (slightly smaller than that of the Long-billed Corella), but also has a larger white crest. One other large white species of cockatoo in Australia is the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, C. galerita. This species is larger than the Corellas, measuring 45 cm - 50 cm and it has a sulphur-yellow crest.
Distribution
Little Corellas are widespread throughout Australia, although large gaps separate some populations. The Little Corella is the most widely distributed of the three corella species found in Australia. The Western Corella is confined the extreme south-west of Western Australia, and the Long-billed Corella is found in the south-east.
Habitat
Little Corellas often form large flocks, especially along watercourses and where seeding grasses are found.
Feeding
Little Corellas feed in large noisy flocks. The birds feed mainly on the ground, and have to drink on a daily basis. The most common foods are grains and grass seeds. Some bulbs and fruits may also be eaten.
Breeding
Little Corellas are thought to pair for life and will start breeding at the start of a long period of rain. The nest site is 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.
Breeding pairs nest in large colonies, and several nests may be found in the same tree. Where their ranges overlap, different corella species may nest together, but they are not thought to breed with each other.
Living with humans
The Little Corella's range is expanding with land clearing and increased sources of water. The increase in agricultural crops has so increased the birds' numbers in some areas they may become pests. Escaped or deliberately released cage birds have also helped numbers in the east of Australia.
References
Crome, F. and Shields, J. 1992. Parrots and Pigeons of Australia. Angus and Robertson/National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife, Sydney.
Pizzey, G. and Knight, F. 1997. Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Sydney.
Schodde, R. and Tideman, S.C. (eds) 1990. Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds (2nd Edition). Reader's Digest (Australia) Pty Ltd, Sydney.
Tv(Shutter Speed):1/1000Sec.
Av(Aperture Value)F5.6
Metering Modes: Evaluative metering
ISO Speed: 100
Lens: EF90-300mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length: 300.0 mm
Image Quality: RAW
Flash: Off
White Balance: Auto
AF mode: One-Shot AF
Picture Style: Neutral
Cheers,
Debbie |
Ken52, GLEM, XOTAELE, livios, pablominto has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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- Ken52
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 640 W: 98 N: 1241]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(4189) - [2007-07-25 16:51]
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Hi Debbie. It is an interesting post and, I think, good for your first inflight. The exposure is good for white birds in sky. No over-exposure. Well done. Good focus and freeze of wing movement. The only suggestion I would have is a different crop. My preference would be a horizontal crop with less space above and below and more space on left and right. Cheers,
Ken.
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- GLEM
(6115)
- [2007-07-25 22:41]
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bonjour Debbie,
l'image est très intéressante, je ne savais pas que ces oiseaux volaient en groupe. La composition est bonne, tout comme la netteté bien gérée. Le ciel est bien bleu, il y a simplement un bruit résiduel gênant. Une image panoramique aurait été aussi bien.
tfs
gl
Hi Debbie,
These are definitely not sulphur crested cockatoos from their physical appearance. I would say that they are bare-eyed cockatoos(Cacatua pastinator sanguinea). The individuals in this image have a bare puffy orbital under the eye which sulphur crested cockatoos do not display, but the corellas do. Also Sulphurs have a distinguising crest of yellow-sulphur feathers on the top of their head that is very noticable in flight and none of these individuals display that feature. Here is a link that shows the sulphur in flight. Corellas or bare eye cockatoos have a small short crest that is not very noticable while in flight. Here is a link that shows a bare-eye cockatoo and it's very distinguisable lower orbital lobe. Still a great shot to see these beautiful looking birds in flight. :)
great capture, TFS Ori
Hola Debbie.
Una imagen un tanto extraña para mí al ver estas aves en libertad ya que aquí en las islas canarias existen varios parques sobre aves pero por supuesto en cautividad y no dudo que posean ejemplares de este tipo.
Un cordial saludo por tan interesante trabajo, JL.
Debbie, a great moment, a very nice image.
I like contrast a lot.
I tried a workshop.
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- JPlumb
(2884)
- [2007-08-05 18:50]
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Hi Debbie, this is a nice tight shot of the four flying Little Corellas. Given the time of day (basing this on the shadows) you got a great shot, with interesting lighting.
Thanks, John
hi debbie,
very nice shot!like the composition and the colors and the unusualness for me to see those in the air!
tfs
caroline
Hello Debbie,
A nice in-flight composition!
Attractive colour palette, simple but effective...
Good details in the birds, well done on action freeze!
Greetings,
Pablo -
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