‘Opportunists’: Nightmarish video shows hundreds of corellas descending on Nowra street

Nightmarish footage has emerged of the moment hundreds of corellas took over a quiet suburban street, interrupting the serenity.

Disturbing footage has captured the moment hundreds of corellas, which are known for decimating crops, swarmed a quiet street on the NSW south coast.

The shocking incident was filmed on Tuesday night at Jindalee Crescent in Nowra.

Footage shows hundreds of the birds landing on roofs and nature strips. Many sought refuge on power lines and on top of residents’ cars.

Corellas are native to Australia and are known for their destructive behaviour. They often destroy crops and gardens in the search for food, causing heartache for farmers.

Professor David Phalen, an expert in wildlife health and conservation at Sydney University, said the birds would find a place to feast before moving on to their next destination.

Hundreds of corellas flocked to a south coast street. Picture: TikTok

They were on a feeding frenzy. Picture: TikTok

But they could plague the same area for days until food stores run out.

Professor Phalen said corellas tend to flock together in huge numbers during the non-breeding season.

“They’re basically nomadic. They just go looking for food, and when they find something they like, they all descend on it,” he told NCA NewsWire.

“They eat it all up and then they move to someplace else. It’s pretty normal behaviour.”

He said his neighbour recently discovered corellas had destroyed her mandarin tree by biting into the fruit in search of the seeds.

Many were spotted searching for food in the nature strips. Picture: TikTok

An expert described them as ‘opportunistic’. Picture: TikTok

Professor Phalen described the species as “opportunistic”, and they would eat anything they found, including worms. They often dig out the roots of grass while destroying the soil.

“They’re clearly feeding on something,” he said after watching the vision.

“I don’t know if it’s after the rain or what, but there are grubs or something in those yards that they’re really attracted to.”

Corellas are considered pests but are still protected by the wildlife act in several states.

Professor Phalen said people could protect their plants from the birds by covering them in mesh or netting.