Galah

Toowoomba, Queensland

The galah is one of the most common Australian parrots and can be found throughout Australia apart from the most arid areas and Cape York Peninsula. It is common in many urban areas including Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide. It was originally an inland bird but now inhabits coastal areas.

Habitat

The galah inhabits areas with a mixture of open land and trees. They tend to avoid dense rain forest.

Feeding

Galahs eat the seed of grasses and crops,  They often feed in large flocks and are considered pests in some farrming regions.

Breeding

Galahs form lifelong partnerships. They nest in tree hollows lined with leaves. Both males and females incubate from two to five white eggs. They also share chick rearing.

Wlidfile Specials

• Up to 50% of galah chicks die in the first 6 months. 
• Galahs breed successfully with sulphur-crested cockatoos and other members of the cockatoo family.
• Galahs make intelligent, friendly and entertaining pets.
• In captivity, galahs can live up to 72 years of age but few reach 20 in the wild.  They are killed by predators, traffic and humans.
• In South Australia galahs are unprotected and may be hunted without a license.
• In the past, galah meat was used in recipes but is now regarded as tough and unpleasant
• Forest clearance has helped galahs flourish in contrast to the disastrous effect on many species. In more arid regions the creation of artificial ponds for stock has also helped them increase numbers.
• In Australian slang "Galah" is a derogatory term for "idiot".