BARE-EYED COCKATOO

Bare-eyed cockatoos, also known as little corellas, will inhabit most types of open country, but are particularly abundant in eucalyptus-bordering watercourses in Australia. They will roost in the nearby trees overnight, congregating in flocks of several thousand.

Early in the morning, they leave their perch with a deafening screech before heading for the watering hole, followed by a day of feeding on grass seeds - usually feeding on the ground. Early travelers would use the bare-eyed cockatoos as a guide, and follow the flocks in order to find water.

Bare-eyed cockatoos can be very destructive, chewing on everything from tree branches to electrical wire. They also invade cultivated areas and damage crops. Due to their destructive tendencies and large population, they are considered pests in Australia.

Males and females look alike, except males tend to be larger than females and have larger heads and beaks. Young birds look like adults, but have shorter beaks and their periophthalmic ring is less blue.

Less demanding and noisy than most other cockatoo species because they are more independent and can play on their own, they tend to have playful and affectionate personalities. They are intelligent and inquisitive birds that learn quickly, so they still definitely require attention in captivity.

At Fossil Rim, these birds live at the Children's Animal Center.