New trial tests humane method to manage little corellas on KI
The Kangaroo Island Landscape Board has completed a two-season trial of night-time roost site control targeting Little corellas in Kingscote, including at the Kangaroo Island Community Education (KICE) Kingscote campus and surrounding areas.
A two-year trial undertaken by the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board has found that night-time shooting at roost sites may provide a more effective and humane method for reducing disruptive summer flocks of little corellas around Kingscote.
The trial assessed the effectiveness of using thermal and infra-red technology to target roosting birds overnight, when flocks are sedentary. Across two summer seasons, 2,640 little corellas were culled, including 1,173 birds during five nights of control in 2024/25 and 1,467 birds during operations between January and February 2026.
Kangaroo Island Landscape Board General Manager Will Durack said the trial provided important data on a method capable of delivering greater efficiency than traditional control approaches.
“Historically, methods such as trapping, gassing and daytime shooting have delivered relatively limited results,” Mr Durack said.
“Targeting birds at night while they are roosting allowed several hundred birds to be removed in a single operation and achieved a much higher catch per unit effort.”
The trial also identified several operational limitations. Control was significantly more effective in rural areas than within townships, where artificial lighting and human disturbance made flocks more vigilant and reduced operational effectiveness. Community disturbance near roost sites — including lights, noise, drones and fireworks — was also found to reduce the success of operations.
The report also highlights uncertainty around the overall size of summer flocks on Kangaroo Island and notes that flock numbers and roost locations vary significantly from year to year depending on seasonal climatic conditions.
While the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board is not the lead government agency responsible for Little Corella management and is not legislated to undertake ongoing control, the Board initiated the trial in response to community concerns and to build an evidence base for future decision-making.
The Board has resolved to investigate the resources required should future control activities be considered and will review potential commitments in September 2026, noting the requirement for a multi-year program to effectively control bird numbers and that any additional work must not compromise delivery of the winter knockdown phase of the Dudley Peninsula Feral Cat Eradication Program.
Mr Durack said long-term management of little corella impacts would likely require coordinated action and resourcing across multiple agencies.
“This trial now shows a proven method for effective and humane control of little corellas,” Mr Durack said.
“We are more than happy to share this information with organisations and agencies who need it to address overabundant little corella populations across the State.”
Read the full findings of the Kangaroo Island Little Corella Night-time Roost Site Control trial 2024-2026 Report here.
KEY FINDINGS FROM THE TRIAL
• Night-time roost shooting removed hundreds of birds per night
• More than 99% of birds present in some rural roosts were culled
• Maximum of 485 birds culled in a single night
• Method achieved significantly higher catch per unit effort than past programs
• Control effectiveness reduced in built-up areas due to light and disturbance
