The galah

Abstract

The Galah is the most common and successful of the Australian cockatoos. The expansion of agriculture and the establishment of permanent water sources in an otherwise arid continent has allowed this species to spread and thrive like no other Australian psittacine. Alongside this growth there has been an increasing popularity in the Galah as a pet and aviary bird. In Australia it is one of the most commonly kept companion birds, outranked only by the budgerigar, cockatiel, and canary. Outside Australia it is less common, but highly prized for its striking colors, quiet nature, and engaging personality. It is not an easy bird to keep, and numerous birds are lost as pets each year because of a lack of understanding of the Galah’s physical and psychological requirements. Before understanding the Galah in captivity it is important to understand its natural behavior. This paper focuses firstly on the Galah in the Australian bush, including its normal behavior, diet, and reproduction. It then addresses how these factors are affected by captivity, as reflected in the captive Galah’s behavior and medical problems.