Galah: Complete Care Guide

In this guide

One of Australia's most recognisable cockatoos, the Galah pairs striking pink and grey plumage with a genuinely demanding personality.

Also known as the rose-breasted or roseate cockatoo, the Galah is instantly recognisable by its soft pink chest and face set against grey wings and back. Like other cockatoos, it is a rewarding but genuinely demanding companion, better suited to an experienced owner than a first-time bird keeper.

Characteristics and behaviour

Galahs are intelligent, social birds that form strong pair bonds and, in a home setting, often bond intensely with their owner. They tend to be somewhat more independent and less overtly cuddly than white cockatoo species, but are still capable of loud, sustained vocalisation and genuinely destructive chewing without adequate outlets. Sexing by eye is difficult in this species, though males typically have darker irises than females.

Diet

A diet built on quality pellets, fresh vegetables and limited fruit is essential, since Galahs are notably prone to obesity on a rich, low-exercise diet. Daily flight time or another genuine form of exercise matters more for this species than for many others.

Habitat and maintenance

Galahs need a large, robust cage, since they are strong chewers, along with regular fresh branches to chew and daily time outside the cage. Their volume is a serious consideration: Galahs are loud, and an apartment or any home with close neighbours is a poor fit for this species.

Lifespan

Galahs are exceptionally long-lived, commonly reaching 40 to 50 years, with some captive individuals reported living 70 years or more given outstanding lifelong care.

Common health issues

• Obesity and associated complications, the single most common welfare issue in captive Galahs kept on a rich diet with too little flight exercise
• Feather plucking and other stress behaviours if social and mental needs are not consistently met
• Psittacine beak and feather disease, a serious viral condition affecting cockatoos generally
• Respiratory sensitivity to smoke, aerosols and cooking fumes, which affects cockatoos as a group given how much fine feather dust their bodies naturally produce

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