The Bare-Eyed Cockatoo (Cacatua sanguinea), also known as the Little Corella, for sale here is a playful, clownish companion known for being one of the best talkers among cockatoo species. Browse our full Cockatoo collection, including our smaller, highly intelligent problem-solver of a cockatoo and the striking black-feathered species prized by serious collectors.
Appearance & Size
The Bare-Eyed Cockatoo is primarily white with subtle salmon-pink touches near the face, a horn-colored beak, and its namesake feature — bare, blue-gray skin patches around the eyes. It’s a small to medium-sized cockatoo, comparable in scale to its Indonesian relative known for problem-solving, with males and females looking nearly identical aside from slightly larger stature and eye patches in males.
Native Habitat
Bare-Eyed Cockatoos are native to Australia and Southern New Guinea, where they range from arid deserts to coastal plains and agricultural land, rather than dense forest. This adaptability to open, varied environments is part of why they tend to be hardy, resourceful birds in a home setting.
Temperament & Talking Ability
Known for a goofy, clownish personality, the Bare-Eyed Cockatoo is highly social and genuinely loves to play — often hanging upside down or performing tricks purely for the entertainment value. Among cockatoo species, it’s considered one of the best at mimicking human speech, frequently picking up the vocal patterns of different household members. They’re also somewhat quieter than larger cockatoo species, though still not a fit for noise-sensitive apartment living.
Care Requirements
A Bare-Eyed Cockatoo needs a spacious cage with secure, escape-proof latches, since these birds are strong, determined chewers. Their diet should center on a high-quality pellet base, supplemented daily with fresh vegetables and fruit, with nuts offered only occasionally given their fat content. Daily out-of-cage time and social interaction are essential — this is a “velcro bird” that bonds closely with its people and can develop destructive habits like feather plucking if neglected.
Bare-Eyed Cockatoo Price
Prices for a Bare-Eyed Cockatoo typically range from $1,500 to $4,000, depending on age, training, and location. [Insert your actual price here.] Because this species is less common in the pet trade than some other white cockatoo varieties, always confirm health documentation and DNA sexing from your breeder before purchase.
Lifespan
With proper care, a Bare-Eyed Cockatoo typically lives 20 to 40 years, making it a serious long-term commitment, though somewhat shorter-lived on average than the largest cockatoo species.
Bare-Eyed Cockatoo vs. Other Cockatoo Species
Bare-Eyed Cockatoo vs. the curious, puzzle-solving cockatoo from the Tanimbar Islands: Similar in size, but the Bare-Eyed has a more prominent bare eye-patch and is generally regarded as the stronger talker of the two.
Bare-Eyed Cockatoo vs. the cuddly, crest-fanning white cockatoo famous for affection: That larger relative is significantly bigger with a dramatic fanning crest, while the Bare-Eyed offers comparable affection and playfulness in a smaller, quieter package.
Bare-Eyed Cockatoo vs. the iconic yellow-crested species native to Australia: That bird is larger and considerably louder, while the Bare-Eyed is better suited to owners who want cockatoo companionship without the extreme volume.
