Information
The Galah Cockatoo is a parrot native to Australia which also goes by the name of the Rose Breasted Cockatoo. These social birds are part of the Cacatuidae family of birds and usually live in flocks and will bond as a pair for life. In addition to Eolophus Roseicapilla, there are 2 other subspecies of Galah Cockatoo called Albiceps and Kuhli.
They are found throughout most of Australia where their population numbers are numerous and they are not threatened in the wild. This habitat is mostly made up of shrubland, grassland and Australia bushland. The average size for a Galah is 35 cm and their average weight is 300g to 400g.
Facts
| Names | Galah Cockatoo, Rose Breasted Cockatoo, Pink and Grey |
| Scientific name | Eolophus roseicapilla |
| Colors | Pink, grey, white |
| Size | Around 35 cm (13.8 inches) |
| Weight | Approximately 300 to 400 grams (10.5 to 14 oz) |
| Lifespan | 40 to 50 years in the wild (70 to 80 years in captivity) |
| Price | $2500 to $3500 |
| Conservation Status (IUCN) | Least Concern |
| Distribution | Australia |
| Habitat | Shrubland, grassland, bushland |
| Food | Grass, insects, seeds, berries |
| Personality | Social, loud, unpredictable, chewers |
| Intelligence | High |
| Noise levels | Very loud |
| Talking ability | Good |
| Subspecies | Eolophus roseicapilla albiceps Eolophus roseicapilla kuhli |
Behaviors
Galahs, like other types of Cockatoo, are known to be highly intelligent birds with a loud vocal range. You might want to consider soundproofing if you have one as a pet. They are also large for parrots and have destructive behaviors.
This combination means that looking after a Galah cockatoo is quite difficult and only experienced bird owners should consider taking one on. As social birds, these creatures should ideally be kept in a pair or with a flock. Whilst their beaks are not as powerful as those of Macaws, they are still known to be chewers that will make short work of breakable items.
In comparison to other Cockatoo species, Galah’s are a bit more relaxed and affectionate. However, they’re still an energetic species of birds and their nipping behavior means they may not be suitable if you have small children.
Care
Galahs require a fair amount of exercise and time out of the cage to burn off their excess energy. With proper training, they can be taught words to speak and they will perform actions such as stepping up and doing basic tasks.
Their native habitat of Australia is dry and hot and you should replicate something similar in your own home. Try to keep the bird at a minimum of 21 degrees celsius, although a better temperature would be something warmer like 25 degrees celsius.
They need to be housed in a large cage, that has thick enough bars that they cannot chew, and small enough spacing so that they cannot fit through the gaps.
The cage environment should contain perches, toys, foraging items, swings and other objects to keep the birds entertained. You might also want to consider a small bathing area that allows the bird to wash. Perches of varying sizes and coarseness help the bird’s feet to remain healthy.
Supplies
Colors
Galah’s are distinguished by their rose colored chests that cover them from their feet all the way up to their necks and cheeks. The top part of their faces and heads are covered in white feathers. The remainder of their bodies, including their wings, backs and tail feathers are made up of light grey feathers. You can see one in action in the video below:
It can be difficult to see differences between the genders of these birds, but the male version of these parrots generally have darker irises.
The Albiceps subspecies of Galah looks slightly different as it has darker feathers behind the neck, whereas the Kuhli subspecies tends to be slightly smaller in size and be paler in color.
Sounds
Cockatoos are known as very loud birds and so as pets, they can be heard throughout the home. Their loud screeching sounds can be very off-putting to some people that own them. They can be trained to say a fair number of words. A Galah is too noisy to keep inside an apartment. To hear the different types of sounds that a Galah cockatoo will make, click on one of the audio files below:
Calls
Flight Calls
Singing
Noises
Lifespan
The average lifespan of a Galah cockatoo is quite long at 40 to 50 years in the wild. However, there are reports of this bird living even longer when properly looked after in captivity (70 to 80 years), so if you take on this bird, be prepared to look after it for the rest of your life.
Prices
The Galah Cockatoo is quite expensive to buy and you’re likely to pay $2500 to $3500 for a bird. This price may vary depending upon factors such as age, health, genetic lineage and distinguishing features on the bird.
When considering your purchase, also check first to see if you can adopt the bird. In addition to this, factor in the costs of cages, toys, perches, foods, insurance, and medical check-ups as well. The full costs of this bird can really start to add up.
Breeding
When a Galah lays a set of eggs there will usually be around 4 of them, which will incubate for 3 weeks and fledge after 2 months. In Australia this breeding season normally happens most frequently in August to October.
Diseases
Galah Cockatoos are often found to become obese in captivity. This is usually due to them being fed a poor diet of mostly high-fat seeds. Switching these birds to a pellet based diet should overcome most of these problems, plus providing them with a lot of exercise opportunities.
Galah’s will also become feather pluckers if they are not provided with enough attention. This also happens when they live in a bare, empty cage without proper toys and items to keep them entertained.
As Pets
A Galah Cockatoo isn’t a bird that should be taken on lightly. On the plus side, they are fun, energetic, inquisitive, social and playful. But on the downside they are very loud, demanding, destructive and will live for a long time. Think very carefully before taking on a cockatoo species of bird, but top bird owners may be able to take on the job.
