The galah also known as the rose-breasted cockatoo, is one of the most common and widespread cockatoos. Galahs are found in all Australian states, and are absent only from the driest areas and the far north of Cape York Peninsula. Galah Cockatoos typically measure around 35 cm in length and weigh between 281-400 grams.
Galahs naturally feed on grasses, herbs, seeds, nuts, berries, roots, green shoots and leaf buds. Sometimes eating insects and their larvae when additional protein is required such as when breeding.
The most obvious external feature of a cockatoo is the erectile crest that raises immediately when alarmed or excited. They have a pale grey to mid-grey back, a pale grey rump, a pink face and chest, and a light pink mobile crest. They have a bone-coloured beak and the bare skin of the eye rings is carunculated. They have grey legs. The genders appear similar, however generally adult birds differ in the colour of the irises; the male has very dark brown (almost black) irises, and the female has mid-brown or red irises.
Galahs usually breed in hollow logs on eucalyptus tree. The galahs will line the nest with eucalypt leaves. The hen usually lays 2- 5 eggs. Both the male and female bird take turns the eggs. The eggs will hatch in approximately 30 days. After 6-7 weeks a babies are able to fly and leave the nest. Its parents will continue to support it for a few more weeks until it can fend and feed itself. Then the parent galahs usually become quite hostile, chasing away and disassociating themselves with their offspring. The juvenile galahs will then join a flock of other juvenile birds until they reach breeding maturity (about 4 years). The galahs will then pair off and the cycle begins again.
Galahs have the reputation of being somewhat of a pest or nuisance. But Galahs are actually a highly intelligent, social and highly adaptable animal. Galahs are highly social, affectionate and friendly – and very long lived. To take a Galah as a pet is not something that should be undertaken lightly as they bond socially with their owners and may very well outlive them. They will often become a little unpredictable as they mature and require training in order to integrate them into the family as a well-behaved “members of the flock.” They are extremely playful and intelligent birds that need constant stimulation: interaction, toys, branches to chew on. They are not generally noisy, apart from early morning and evening. Both sexes can become good talkers; however, their talking ability is not usually brilliant.
