Cockatoo

Galahs are also called rose-breasted cockatoos and can be found almost all over Australia. With pretty pink chests and grey  coats they strike a stylish figure as they strut about the gum trees. They fly around in pairs and collect in flocks and are extremely social birds.

'Mad as a galah' is a common Aussie saying which probably originated from the fact that they can make loud screechy noises if upset and once they get into this whining state it can take quite a while to calm them down. 

There was a time when I too thought they were somewhat crazy.  Every night when we took our dogs Scotty and Benny for a walk, one particular galah who should have been fast asleep in his tree high above us and in no danger whatsoever from anything around, would start screeching and wake up the whole neighbourhood in the process.

But Galahs are far from mad.  They are very friendly birds. They love showing you their nests and introducing you to their friends and family. 

The birds and wildlife have had a wonderful summer this year, inf act the best in over a decade.  New wildgrasses have sprung up covering the hillsides due to the extended rains and are providing plenty of food and shelter this season in contrast to years of dry, burnt summers.   Check out the pics below to see what they have been doing.

(click on the 'next' button to forward through the slides).

Previous Slide 1/36 NextWillie and Nellie learning to sing against the cloudy skiesLush green grasses fill the paddocksThe eagles are a hunting up abovewhile Rainbow lorikeets are sortingout territorial boundaries belowThe babblers have moved inhaving negotiated their rightsThe wallabies are enjoying the rich pickingsalong with Bertie Vicky Mindy and KennyBilly's family is happy tooLarry and Harrie are singing to gloryThe Crested pigeons are thrilled to bootsMaggie's son Monty has found new friendsKenny wants to get up close and personalGabriel Tuks joined the bat creche and returned to the colonyCharlie Girl is fully recovered and adores PeteJack is much happier now he can fly furtherWallabies relax in the shade at the Long Grass Wildlife RefugeJack adores GabiWild grasses spring up along the roadsidethe whole valley is green - for a few weeks at leastOne eyed Curly the currawongis looking healthy and wellGumnuts are a plentifulButterflies delightBilly's brood is growing upFrieda is all black and white but still as friendly as everNoisy miner is planning another clutch2 eggs in herewhile the nest is being fortifiedwild grasses aboundfilling the bushy landscapeto the joy of the birds and animalsThe galahs are keen to show their nestand pose for the cameraThe peewee too wants to be seen

Caged cockatoos often suffer greatly and end up leading a life time of misery.

Wildlife carers Peter Richards and Gabrielle Friebe from the Long Grass Nature Refuge have rehabilitated cockatoos for over seven years (as well as many other species for 35 years).  In the interview below they explain the plight of the pet cockatoo and what one should do to give them a quality of life.

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In this interview you will learn about: 

-  the physical and emotional problems faced by pet cockatoos in cages   

-  the needs of pet cockatoos so they can have a more natural life   

-  essential ways in which to give pet cockatoos a quality of life   

-  elements of a balanced diet necessary for a healthy bird

-  keys to eliminate personality problems, have a better relatioship with your companion bird and a good friendship.

You can listen to the audio and view the pictures below.