Why Wheatbelt Shires are culling Corellas

Photo provided by Andrew Kavanagh

Over the next few months, the Shires of Victoria Plains, Goomalling, Toodyay, Northam and York will be carrying out Corella management. 

Corellas are part of our landscape, but their numbers have grown rapidly in recent years. Many people think they are losing habitat, but in fact the changes we’ve made to the environment have created ideal conditions for them.  

Corellas are naturally open-country birds and have adapted well to farmland, where clearing and agriculture have provided extra food and water. At night they prefer to roost in trees, which is why large flocks often gather in towns where remnant trees remain. 

Unfortunately, this population boom has come at a cost. Corellas compete with endangered cockatoos such as Carnaby’s, Baudin’s and Forest Red-tailed Blacks for nesting hollows. They also cause damage to crops and infrastructure, create noise and disruption in our communities, and place a significant financial burden on local governments. 

In fact, across the Wheatbelt Development Commission region, the economic impact of Corellas was estimated at $5.67 million in 2023/24. This figure is based on local costs of dealing with damage and clean-up. 

Corellas are a challenging issue, and while management can be sensitive, it is important to balance the needs of our communities, our farmers, and our native wildlife.