Galah Cockatoo
OTHER NAMES
Rose-breasted Cockatoo (USA usage), Rose Cockatoo.
SIZE
Length about 35 cm (14"), weight about 300 to 400 grams
SEXING
The sexes are very similar except for the eye colour. A mature female
will develop a coppery red iris while the male, and immature females,
have a very dark iris.
SUBSPECIES
The common subspecies in aviculture and in the wild through much of
Australia is C. r. roseicapillus. A second subspecies, C. r.
assimilis, is found in much of Western Australia and is distinguished
by a paler grey body colour. A third subspecies, C. r. kuhli, has been
recognised in the northern part of Western Australia, and into the
Northern Territory. It is a smaller bird, about 30 cm, and exhibits
differences in the periopthalmic eye ring.
NATURAL OCCURRENCE
The Galah is one of the most widespread of Australia's parrots, being
found in all states. It is only absent from the most arid country and
from the tip of Cape York. It prefers open grasslands and woodland, is
a common species in the cities and towns, and has adapted well to
farmed land. The species is gregarious, often forming flocks of
several hundreds, although when foraging for food these large flocks
will often split into small groups, coming together again at the
evening roost site. Feeding is often done on the ground and their food
in the wild is dominantly seed, nuts and fruit, and they can cause
major damage to cultivated grain crops. For this reason the bird is
regarded as a pest species in many parts of its range, and licensed
culling is permitted in certain states.
The breeding season extends from July to December in the south and
February to July in the tropical north. A nesting hollow is lined with
leaves and twigs carried into the nest, and usually 3 or 4 eggs are
laid. Incubation is shared by both parents over a 30 day period and
the babies leave the nest at about 8 weeks old.
AVICULTURE
The Galah, like the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, is commonly kept as a
pet bird, but is rarely bred in aviaries in Australia due to the
depressed effect on the price of any progeny caused by the ready
availability of legally wild caught young birds. Like other members of
the Cockatoo group, an aviary at least 5 metres by 1.2 metres by 2
metres high is required, constructed of materials to withstand the
inevitable chewing that will occur. A nest box around a 60 to 90 cm
deep and about 30 cm in diameter should be supplied. An essential
requirement is to keep a constant supply of fresh branches of
eucalyptus and other native trees available to avoid boredom.
A supply of leaves that can be used to line the nest box is also
essential. Mate aggression can be a problem if older birds are
introduced to each other but seems to be less of a problem with birds
that are paired up at a young age. Another problem with breeding birds
is that they seem to be very clumsy, and broken eggs are by no means
uncommon. There appears to be no easy solution to this, although a
nest box mounted at an angle or a nest box with a bottom chamber off
to one side, so that the parents do not jump down onto the eggs, may
be helpful. Alternatively patience is useful, since the problem seems
to decrease with age.
The diet needs to be varied, balanced and interesting. A variety of
seeds such as wheat, hulled oats, canary, and some grey striped
sunflower, should be provided as well as a wide range of fresh
vegetables and fruit. Animal protein is also beneficial, given by way
of chicken or chop bones, mealworms or other grubs. A tendency of the
species to become overweight should be guarded against, and there are
arguments for the use of pellets rather than seed for the Galah. The
encouragement of flying by the birds is also helpful. Galahs have a
tendency to prefer to climb around the aviary rather than fly, and so
careful siting of perches and food dishes can help to ensure the birds
have to do some flying.
MUTATIONS
A lutino Galah (illustrated left) is becoming well established in
Australian aviaries, while cinnamon, silver, and grey and white
mutations are also known to exist.
PET POTENTIAL
The Galah can make an excellent pet, with even wild caught young birds
capable of becoming affectionate and friendly birds. They will however
often become a little unpredictable when mature, and should never be
allowed to spend time on a shoulder. They are extremely playful and
intelligent birds, which, like most cockatoos, need constant
stimulation with toys to play with, and objects to chew, to keep them
from getting bored. They are not generally noisy, apart from early
morning and evening, although some are the exception to the rule. Both
sexes can become good talkers, possibly with the males being somewhat
better, however their talking ability is not usually on a par with
either Sulphur-crested Cockatoos or the Corellas.