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Birdie Stats
Species:
Galah Cockatoo (Rose Breasted Cockatoo)
Latin name(s):
Psittacidae Assimils (east Australia) / Psittacidae Eolophos Roseicapillus
(west Australia) / Psittacidae Kuhli (north Australia)
Species Differentiation:
The same, except the Kuhli, which have red eye rings, and are duller
in color. The iris of the Kuhli species is brown regardless of the
sex of the bird, and the size of the bird is smaller.
Home Land:
Australia (all parts except the coastline).
Years to Maturity:
2-3 Years
Sex Differentiation:
Visually alike, except the iris in the female is red, and in the
male the iris is brown. (Not a 100% accurate depending or the region
of Australia the bird is from. DNA Sexing is recommended).
In the Wild
Preferred Habitat:
Galah Cockatoos prefer to live in sparsely wooded areas near fields.
Home Land Cooking:
Grains, seeds, leaf buds, roots, tubers, and invertebrates.
Breeding and social structure:
Galahs are non migratory birds (they do not move from their location
from season to season). They coexist in large flocks, about 400-600
in a single flock. Fledglings will spend their time in large flocks
in the tree tops never venturing forth, while the juveniles (also
in large flocks) will spend 2-3 years roaming around the country
before they settle down and find a mate. Unlike other cockatoo species,
male aggression within the flock and as well as in pairs is an uncommon
occurrence with Galahs. Bonded breeding pairs of Galahs mate for
life, and never swap partners. Both males and females of this species
will sit, feed, and raise their young together. Galahs make their
nests in the hollow of trees. To construct their nest and make them
a bit cozier these cockatoos line their nest with Eucalypt leaves.
(Perhaps this makes for easy cleaning. I once new a Galah who would
chew wood into little chips making sure that all the chips went
to the bottom of the cage. At the end of the day he would take any
soiled chips and throw them out of his cage making his cage clean
and the floor a mess.) Galah nests are widely spread out; their
nests average about 2 nests per kilometer. In agricultural areas,
where hollow are less frequent, nest concentration averages about
7 nests per hector. Galahs lay 2-5 eggs, which is more than average
compared to other cockatoos. The eggs incubate for approximately
25 days, and the cute fuzzy baby stage (fledglings) lasts for 49
days. Galah cockatoos casually breed year round. They do however
have 2 peak breeding seasons, February through May and August through
November.
At Home
General personality traits:
Galahs are the colorful little busybodies of the cockatoo world.
They are always up to something to get themselves in trouble. They
can be feisty and they like to hold grudges. Their routine is very
important to them so it's wise to stick to it! They make wonderful
companions and tend to be very comical. A variety of chew toys is
suggested. They tend to be less aggressive then other species of
cockatoo making them an ideal companion.
Nutritional needs:
Galahs can be very stubborn when it comes to changing their diet
so it's wise to start them on a good diet while they are young.
A good pellet diet with occasional seed is recommended. Lots of
fruits and veggies, cooked beans, cooked rice, and cooked chicken,
etcetera. Avoid foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. see
foods never to feed your bird, this applies to uncooked foods
as well.
Coping with bad habits:
Chewing is considered to be a bad habit from the humans stand point,
but to the cockatoo chewing might as well be genetic. It can be
frustrating to only have three legs on a chair instead of four,
or a widow with only half the molding remaining. Understand that
no matter what you, do your cockatoo will chew. Provide your cockatoo
with plenty of wood toys or blocks. Make designated chewing stations
around your home. Open wood or cardboard boxes are great. Galahs
tend to chew in one spot then move their debris to a new location.
Put the chewing items in the box so he or she may destroy the items
and move them out of the box as she or he chooses. Not only does
the box provide for good chewing behaviors it also lends it self
to a sence of security.
Health concerns:
Galah cockatoos are at risk for Lipomas, (fatty tumors). Diets low
in fatty foods are recommended.
TidBits:
Galah cockatoo are considered to be pests
in Australia. They are often shot for laying waste to farmer's crops
and for emptying the contents of grain trucks while the truck is
in route to its destination, which arrives with little or no grain.
This is unfortunate, because loss of habitat has laid waste to lands
rich in native vegetation that is essential for rearing young. This
loss of habitat has drastically reduced the food supple for fledgling
bird and their number are decreasing.
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