Galah FAQ
Back from holidays now.. it is never enough time away is it?
Anyway, I have decided to compile a small Galah FAQ. I hope that it can help out people who are interested in keeping one of these parrots as a pet and it helps if you just have a general interest in birds. I would just like to make a tiny disclaimer saying I am not a bird expert or an avarian doctor, just an enthusiast and active pet keeper.
How Old Can A Galah Live For?
In the wild a Galah will rarely live past 25 years, but in captivity, if well looked after a galah can live for 50 to 60 years.. so you will have a friend for life.
How Can You Tell The Sex Difference Of A Galah?
The easiest way to tell the sex difference of Galah’s is to look at the eyes. The males have a more dark, almost brown iris (area of the eye that surrounds the pupil) while the females have a lighter, pink iris. Other characteristics that can help you determine sex is that males seem to have a better ability to talk and females tend to sit on a perch with there legs apart more frequently than males.
How Can I Tell How Old My Galah Is?
Determining age is a little more difficult, but you can get an idea by again examining the eyes. The number of wrinkles around the eye (in the white area) is one way of aging a bird. Other ways include the number of layers on the beak and by looking at the feet. Generally, the more wrinkles around the eye, the older the bird.
What Do Galah’s Like To Eat?
Galah’s like to eat seeds, nuts, berries and fresh corn. In the wild, they are known to eat grasses, leaf buds. flowers such as Gravillias and Banksias, seeds and on the occasion, insects for extra protein. It is essential that a Galah has fresh water daily.
How Many Types/Species Of Galah Are There?
There are to my knowledge three major sub-species of Galah – Western, Eastern and Northern. The most popular variety in captivity seems to be the Eastern variety.
What Sounds Does A Galah Make And Can They Talk?
Galah’s make a fairly high pitched “Chet Chet” type sound when flying around in the wild. They will also make a much louder screech when threatened, fighting or having fun. Galah’s are very clever and can learn to talk, or rather, imitate people’s voices. The male galahs seem to be much better at this than the females. Galah’s are also very good at impersonating everyday sounds such as a whistle, a horn or a telephone ringing.
Is It Normal For My Galah To Make Grinding And Sneezing Sounds?
Galah’s will grind their beak when they feel safe and relaxed, usually before they sleep. When a Galah goes to sleep, they will quite often turn their heads 180 degrees around and rest their head on their back feathers. A heathly Galah will require around 10 hours sleep a night. A Galah will also sneeze when preening there feathers as a way to disperse the dust they have collected from their feathers so this is perfectly normal.
Should I Give My Galah A Bath?
Galah’s are quite cutious when it comes to water so I don’t really advise giving a bird a bath. A much better method is to either use a water bottle with a squirter nozzle and give them a misty spray so they fluff out or as my bird loves, being held in front of a air conditioner or enclosed fan for about 30 seconds to blow off the excessive dust.
My Galah Chews Everything – What Can I Do?
Galah’s chewing objects is a natural method of keeping their beaks in top condition. It prevents overgrowing and discomfort if the beak is not regularly used. Make sure their enclosure has some inedible objects to chew to keep them occupied. Try wooden perches, rope perches, plastic chain, old belts (buckle removed), old shoe soles and thongs.
So there is the FAQ for now. I’ll probably update it later on (and correct any mistakes) but it will be fine for now. Hope someone finds it useful.
Yes I found this info VERY useful and informative!!! THANKYOU very much!!! You had answered all the questions I’ve been needing answered! Thanks :o)
i was wondering do you know what to do if the bird starts biting?
Thanks, The information you provided is very handy. It answered most of my questions
Hi there,
i was just wondering if you could please tell me some tricks of the trade when trying to tame a galah. My 3 month old Galah gets on my hand follows me around the room and them all of a sudden goes on a biting rampage. I do not pull my hand away as i’ve read that this reaction is a positive reinforcement of biting, and, he is usually sitting on it. I don’t understand whether he is just playing or he is scared or whether he just likes biting as when he does bite i’m not trying to pat him or moving. Have you got any suggestions for me as he is a really nice little bird who i would like to be able to interact with more
@Kate @mardy
Hi Kate and Mardi.
Sometimes a bird will bite because of being scared, but many other times it is behavioral. Firstly, check the environment around you when your bird bites – is it around another person/pet or in the same part of the room? Sometimes, a bird will not like a painting or object in a room and will bite to try to say, hey – don’t put me near that. If you have another pet or another person in the house, the bird might be biting to ‘protect’ you.
If there is no environmental reason, I would guess the bird is biting you to test you and see where they sit in the ‘flock’ or the bird is trying to ‘preen’ you and is still learning how hard they can use their beak.
Next time the bird tries to bite you, try not to make any loud sounds or big sudden movements as this encourages the bird into thinking it is a game. There are two techniques to try – the first is if you gently rock your hand so the bird has to concentrate on balance, they will forget about biting. The other technique is to quietly say “No, that is naughty” and not react loudly and the bird should quickly lose interest.
I would also try adding an item into the cage that will let the bird practice using their beak and to allow them to take any aggression out on that item. Try placing some eucalyptus branches in the cage (not too big) and let the bird strip the bark. I can assure you, once the bird gets used to these branches, they would much rather do that than bite you.
Good luck
Hi there and thankyou for your advice. I am a wildlife carer and love my animals to bits but I always cared for possums and Kangaroos. Birds have never been my specialty. But after a cheeky galah who we have named Dolly waltzed into my parents house one day and failed attempts of finding its home I am now the proud ownner of this naughy naughty adorable bird. Dolly has our house in stitches every morning. The kids love him and my husband and I cant get enough of his mischevious behaviour. Thankyou for helping us get to know our new loved one better.
hello
how do you tell a difference between a male and female galah without tests?
@Joe
Look at the eyes under a bright light. A female bird will have a lighter, pink iris while the male bird will have a darker, more brown iris.