Sky ‘hoons’ return to Varsity

By Craig Page, Bond University journalism student

Warm weather signals the time of year when Varsity Lakes is graced by the ‘Hoons of the sky’, better known as the Little Corella bird.

The Little Corella is a smaller version of the sulphur-crested cockatoo and features a smaller plume of yellow ‘crown’ feathers.

The often-noisy birds fly in large flocks of up to 100 or more and tend to live near water bodies.

Varsity Lakes resident Glenn West remembers them fondly from last year, referring to them as the ‘Hoons of the sky’.

“Around this time last year, I remember being woken up daily by their loud screeching; now they’re back again,” he said.

“To be honest, I see them as more of pest than anything, bloody hoons.”

Other Varsity Lakes residents, including Shannon Garner, welcomed the sound of the Little Corellas.

“I have been in Varsity for a few years and when I hear the Little Corellas, I know summer is coming,” she said.

“My neighbours don’t think much of the birds, but I see them as part of the community.”

The unusually high rainfall last year created ideal breeding conditions and contributed to the population boom of the Little Corellas.

Weather conditions are expected to be favourable for the birds again this year.

Caption: A flock of Little Corellas near Lake Orr. PHOTO: Michael Dawes