Living with Little Corellas and Other Flocking Birds

• Introduction
• Problems associated with Little Corellas
• Permits to Destroy Wildlife
• Codes of Practice
• Application Form
• Animal Welfare
• Integrated management approach
• Planning approach
• Little Corella Resource Document
• Guidelines for Abundant Bird Community Reference Groups
• Action Plan for Little Corella Management
• Corella Observation Datasheet

Introduction

Little Corellas and Galahs Photo: Jason Van Weenen

Most Australians value and enjoy native wildlife. Native birds are an intrinsic and colourful part of our lives. However, with changing land use, urbanisation, habitat fragmentation and environmental and agricultural management practices, the balance of many species has altered. Some native species that were abundant are now threatened and conversely, some species with naturally low population numbers have become abundant.

Many Australian native birds have the potential to be labelled as pests. The pest potential of native birds is linked to the behaviour of species, their local distribution and abundance and the nature of the habitat modification and the impacts they cause. In South Australia, the most prominent native bird species causing economic, social and environmental impacts are Galahs, Little Corellas, Long-billed Corellas, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos and Silver Gulls. These species have generally been favoured by the introduction agricultural systems since European settlement, which has resulted in significantly altered natural ecological processes.

Large flock of Little Corellas near Melrose Photo: Barbara St John

For the cockatoo species, the reduction in sheep numbers and adoption of minimum tillage practices during grain harvest has also resulted in more grain being available to these species for extended periods during the summer and into early autumn. The increased availability of food enables more birds to survive through to the breeding season and aid population recruitment.

Unwanted impacts by cockatoos have come about partly as a result of an increase in range and abundance of the species, but more particularly because of their feeding and flocking behaviour. From late summer to early winter, roaming flocks of juvenile birds can join up with adult birds from a region and focus their attention on a few prime feeding, roosting and loafing sites. The Little Corella and Long-billed Corella exemplify this behaviour where temporary flocks of tens of thousands of birds can gather and descend on a few localised sites. In such cases, a small number of farmers or residents can experience severe economic or social impacts or losses caused by the feeding or roosting of large numbers of birds.

Species that are increasing their breeding range, such as Galahs and Little Corellas, also have the potential to impact on the conservation of other species, by taking over breeding hollows of threatened species such as Glossy Black-Cockatoos and Major Mitchell Cockatoos.

Defoliation damage caused by Little Corella pruning behaviour affects tree health and survival Photo: Barbara St John

Little Corellas at Berri Oval Photo: Gary Fitzpatrick

Problems associated with Little Corellas

The problems associated with large numbers of Little Corellas relate to several aspects of their behaviour, in particular their tendency to:

• defoliate the red gums or other native or ornamental trees they use for roosting;
• damage installations such as tarpaulins covering temporary grain bunkers, wiring and flashing on buildings;
• take grain from newly seeded paddocks;
• create a noise nuisance to local residents; and
• create a noise nuisance that becomes an impediment to a local tourist industry.

Most community concern is related to Corella pruning behaviour and subsequent defoliation damage to roost trees and its effects on tree health and survival. Some communities are also concerned that Little Corella numbers are increasing and that, without some reduction in bird numbers, problems of pruning damage to roost trees will spread.

Permits to Destroy Wildlife

Little Corellas and Galahs are unprotected species. A destruction permit is not required to destroy unprotected native animals by shooting, which are listed in schedule 10 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972.

Codes of Practice

The Department for Environment and Heritage has developed Codes of Practice for the Humane Destruction of Birds by Shooting in South Australia and the Humane Destruction of Flocking Birds by Carbon Dioxide Narcosis in South Australia. These Codes set a standard of humane conduct for persons involved in the destruction of birds by shooting or trapping and carbon dioxide narcosis. All persons involved should be aware of the legislative requirements, including animal welfare, for this activity.

See Code of Practice for the Humane Destruction of Birds by Shooting in South Australia (50Kb PDF)
See Code of Practice for the Humane Destruction of Flocking Birds by Carbon Dioxide Narcosis (150Kb PDF)

A permit is required in circumstances where destruction involves the trapping and carbon dioxide narcosis of animals. Operators must also gain accreditation to undertake the trapping of birds.

Modifications made to stock water trough prevents Little Corellas from accessing water in water trough Photo: Barbara St John

Application Form

See Application Form for a Permit to Destroy Flocking Birds by Trapping and Carbon Dioxide Narcosis (100Kb PDF)

Animal Welfare

In all circumstances, the destruction of any animal should aim to minimise suffering of the animal and must comply with animal welfare standards outlined in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1985 and the regulations subordinate to that Act and Codes of Practice where they exist.

Integrated management approach

In isolation shooting and/or trapping and carbon dioxide narcosis of flocking birds will not overcome detrimental social, environmental and economic impacts sustained. The Department for Environment and Heritage recommends the development of an integrated management approach including elements of scaring, exclusion (where practicable), shooting and trapping and carbon dioxide narcosis.

Planning approach

The Department for Environment and Heritage has prepared four documents to assist community groups, landholders and Councils develop action plans and an integrated approach for Little Corella Management.

Little Corella Resource Document

Little Corellas at water tank near Quorn Photo: Barbara St John

The purpose of this document is to:

• provide an understanding of the ecology of Little Corellas;
• provide information on the legislative requirements associated with native bird management;
• detail management strategies that have been attempted in the past; and
• identify potential management approaches that could be applied in the future.

See Little Corella Resource Document (400Kb PDF).

Guidelines for Abundant Bird Community Reference Groups

This document offers advice on:

• the purpose and role of Abundant Bird Community Reference Groups,
• the role of Local and State Government and Natural Resource Management (NRM) Boards, and
• the nature of representation on the Reference Group.

See Guidelines for Abundant Bird Community Reference Groups (150Kb PDF)

Action Plan for Little Corella Management

This Action Plan template identifies the steps that should be taken to develop an integrated plan for the management of Little Corellas. The aim of an action plan template is to identify the strategies to be implemented and document what resources are necessary to achieve a reduction in impacts.

See Action Plan for Little Corella Management (100Kb PDF)

Corella Observation Datasheet

Collection of data on bird presence and behaviour, population size and location, for example, is a critical component of developing an effective action plan for Little Corella management.

See Corella Observation Datasheet (50Kb PDF)