Galah

The Galah, or Eolophus roseicapilla, is a charming Australian cockatoo with a distinctive pink and grey plumage. This bird, approximately 35 cm in length and weighing between 270-350 grams, boasts a pale silver to grey back, a pale grey rump, and a delightful pink face and breast. Its crest is mobile and light pink, while its beak is a bone color. The legs are grey, and around the eyes, one can observe carunculated, bare skin.

Identification Tips

Adult Galahs can be distinguished by their iris color: males have very dark brown, almost black irises, while females have mid-brown or red irises. Juveniles are less vividly colored, with a greyish breast, crown, and crest, and their eye rings are whitish and non-carunculated.

Habitat

The Galah thrives in a variety of habitats, from open grasslands with scattered trees to metropolitan areas. It avoids dense forests with high rainfall.

Distribution

Endemic to mainland Australia, the Galah has also been introduced to Tasmania and New Zealand. It is absent from the driest regions and the far north of Cape York Peninsula.

Behaviour

Galahs are gregarious birds, often seen in flocks ranging from a few to a thousand. They may form mixed flocks with other cockatoo species and are known to forage on the ground in open areas. These birds exhibit a playful nature, sometimes stripping leaves and bark from trees.

Song & Calls

The Galah's vocalizations as it prepares to roost are a familiar sound in the Australian landscape.

Breeding

Galahs nest in tree cavities, laying two to five white eggs per clutch. Both parents share in incubation, which lasts about 25 days, and the chicks fledge around 49 days after hatching.

Similar Species

The Galah can be confused with other cockatoos, but its unique coloration and size are distinguishing features.

Diet and Feeding

Primarily seed-eaters, Galahs forage on the ground, favoring the seeds of grasses and cultivated crops. They may also feed on insects and their larvae.

Conservation status

The IUCN lists the Galah as Least Concern, reflecting its widespread and abundant presence across Australia.