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Galah

Did you know?

Galahs can breed with other members of the cockatoo family, including the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, C. galerita.

Calls
The voice is a distinctive high-pitched screech, 'chi-chi'.
Facts and Figures
Research Species: 
No
Minimum Size: 
35cm
Maximum Size: 
36cm
Average size: 
36cm
Average weight: 
337g
Breeding season: 
February to July in the north; July to December in the south
Clutch Size: 
3 to 4
Conservation Status
Federal: 
Secure
NSW: 
Secure
NT: 
Secure
QLD: 
Secure
SA: 
Secure
TAS: 
Secure
VIC: 
Secure
WA: 
Secure
Basic Information
Scientific Name: 
Eolophus roseicapillus
Featured bird groups: 
Parrots
Atlas Number: 
273
What does it look like?
Description: 

The Galah can be easily identified by its rose-pink head, neck and underparts, with paler pink crown, and grey back, wings and undertail. Birds from the west of Australia have comparatively paler plumage. Galahs have a bouncing acrobatic flight, but spend much of the day sheltering from heat in the foliage of trees and shrubs. Huge noisy flocks of birds congregate and roost together at night.

Similar species: 

The Galah is generally unmistakable, but in flight may resemble aGang-gang Cockatoo in shape.

Where does it live?
Distribution: 

The Galah is one of the most abundant and familiar of the Australian parrots, occurring over most of Australia, including some offshore islands.

Habitat: 

The Galah is found in large flocks in a variety of timbered habitats, usually near water.

What does it do?
Feeding: 

Galahs form huge, noisy flocks which feed on seeds, mostly from the ground. Seeds of grasses and cultivated crops are eaten, making these birds agricultural pests in some areas. Birds may travel large distances in search of favourable feeding grounds.

Breeding: 

Galahs form permanent pair bonds, although a bird will take a new partner if the other one dies. The nest is a tree hollow or similar location, lined with leaves. Both sexes incubate the eggs and care for the young. There is high chick mortality in Galahs, with up to 50 % of chicks dying in the first six months. Galahs have been recorded breeding with other members of the cockatoo family, both in the wild and captivity. These include the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, C. galerita.

Living with us

The Galah is becoming more abundant around areas of human habitation, with the growth in population largely a result of increasing availability of food and water. Escaped aviary birds have also contributed to these numbers.

References: 
Parrots and Pigeons of Australia
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