Galah Pros and Cons?

GracelynNBirds · Jan 24, 2016

Hello! I was wandering if someone could share me some pros and cons about galahs. And also things i should consider before buying one. And anything that i might need to know or anything that could help me in the future. Im planning to buy one some day.

<3

Dinosrawr · Jan 24, 2016

We have quite a few awesome individuals here who are very happily owned by their galahs, so hopefully they'll answer you when they have time. From what I can recall, the basics are:

- they're prone to fatty tumours from lack of exercise/too much fat in the diet
- love to be sporadically loud and are professional acrobats
- typical of a 'too, they do require a lot of emotional fulfillment
- they truly love to destroy things with their beaks... be prepared to spend lots on toys
- they can be known for being skittish and easily spooked
- they are powder birds, so if you or anyone in your family has allergies then they may not be for you, plus you should be considerate with any additions afterwards that may be sensitive to dust
- it's important to teach them to self-entertain

There are looooooots of forums on what you should know prior to bird ownership. I'm on my phone so I can't bring them up, but if you use the search function you should be able to find them. It's a very commonly asked question [emoji4]

OOwl · Jan 24, 2016

My boy is going on 13 and he's, honestly, the easiest bird in my flock. I got really lucky. He's not that loud at all, rarely even screaming and if he does it's just being silly and goofy and in fun and goes away within minutes; he talks clearly and is hilarious in what he says, thanks to growing up in a household of teenagers; he's almost always in a good mood; he's never seriously bitten me; he's not the hormonal type; he not only goes to everyone in my family, he will go to any stranger I hand him to (I even take him to visit rehab hospitals to cheer patients); he's affectionate and will accept petting anywhere (his favorite trick is to do his "snuggle bunny," where he snuggles down right at my chin laying crosswise on my chest and takes a nap); he's learned a variety of tricks and will speak and perform on command, which is really a fun way to share him with others; he will play independently and rarely demands attention (maybe because he gets so much anyway). He's a very wonderful, trusting, well-balanced parrot and a valued member of our family and flock. From what I've read, they aren't always this easy. I'll just be thankful for him. He's a family and friends favorite around my house.

I can't think of any real serious "cons" but I will say he goes through a staggering amount of wood toys. He can destroy a full wooden toy in just a few hours. We make some of them at home but when time doesn't allow for that, he can destroy and NEEDS a wood toy a day. He treats it like it is his JOB to splitter wood. He's a good eater, but Galahs really are easy to spoil. Like Amazons, they LOVE food, and usually foods that aren't that good for them, so that's a constant battle with him. He begs for ANYTHING you make for yourself that he thinks he has coming to him (and he prefers carbs to veggies LOL). And, yes, he's dusty but he's not nearly as dusty as his "neighbor," a Congo African Grey, who is a powder-making snow machine! I guess the only other con I can think of is that he's not really that social with other birds. He's just never paid them any attention. It's just his way.

Good luck on your quest for a RB2. I think choosing a breeder that raises them correctly is probably a huge advantage. I give all the credit for my guy to the parrot-only store I got him at. They have a really great reputation for raising young parrots correctly, allowing them to fully fledge (confidence), wean at their own pace (security), learn to play on various surfaces and with many different objects and toys (bravery and adaptability), and socialize them (friendliness to humans). Just be careful choosing your breeder. They're not all the same.

GracelynNBirds · Jan 25, 2016

OOwl said:
My boy is going on 13 and he's, honestly, the easiest bird in my flock. I got really lucky. He's not that loud at all, rarely even screaming and if he does it's just being silly and goofy and in fun and goes away within minutes; he talks clearly and is hilarious in what he says, thanks to growing up in a household of teenagers; he's almost always in a good mood; he's never seriously bitten me; he's not the hormonal type; he not only goes to everyone in my family, he will go to any stranger I hand him to (I even take him to visit rehab hospitals to cheer patients); he's affectionate and will accept petting anywhere (his favorite trick is to do his "snuggle bunny," where he snuggles down right at my chin laying crosswise on my chest and takes a nap); he's learned a variety of tricks and will speak and perform on command, which is really a fun way to share him with others; he will play independently and rarely demands attention (maybe because he gets so much anyway). He's a very wonderful, trusting, well-balanced parrot and a valued member of our family and flock. From what I've read, they aren't always this easy. I'll just be thankful for him. He's a family and friends favorite around my house.

I can't think of any real serious "cons" but I will say he goes through a staggering amount of wood toys. He can destroy a full wooden toy in just a few hours. We make some of them at home but when time doesn't allow for that, he can destroy and NEEDS a wood toy a day. He treats it like it is his JOB to splitter wood. He's a good eater, but Galahs really are easy to spoil. Like Amazons, they LOVE food, and usually foods that aren't that good for them, so that's a constant battle with him. He begs for ANYTHING you make for yourself that he thinks he has coming to him (and he prefers carbs to veggies LOL). And, yes, he's dusty but he's not nearly as dusty as his "neighbor," a Congo African Grey, who is a powder-making snow machine! I guess the only other con I can think of is that he's not really that social with other birds. He's just never paid them any attention. It's just his way.

Good luck on your quest for a RB2. I think choosing a breeder that raises them correctly is probably a huge advantage. I give all the credit for my guy to the parrot-only store I got him at. They have a really great reputation for raising young parrots correctly, allowing them to fully fledge (confidence), wean at their own pace (security), learn to play on various surfaces and with many different objects and toys (bravery and adaptability), and socialize them (friendliness to humans). Just be careful choosing your breeder. They're not all the same.

Thanks! And also how do I prevent my future RB2 to be a one person bird? I want him to be able to go up to strangers and let them pet him and stuff. So people can enjoy the beautiful cockatoo.

I know every bird will have a "favorite" person (which should be me) but I want him to be able to socialize with other people.

Anyways thanks again!!

itchyfeet · Jan 25, 2016

Every time someone walks into my house, I ask first and then hand over a bird.
If it's normal for the bird, it's normal. My IRN also loves the car and comes out a lot to the children's school, the cafe etc.

OOwl · Jan 25, 2016

Yeah, I did that, too. I did and still do hand him to anyone he'll go to (and that's almost everyone). He gets a lot of socialization at the hospital/rehab we visit. And the only person he's ever bitten was my boss (whoops, LOL). He doesn't have a favorite person in my household, but he used to like my daughter best when she still lived at home. He really enjoys meeting new people. He talks to people that come to my house to work on our appliances. I have countless times had to take their phone and take pictures of him sitting on their hand. All our friends and family regulars all want to hold him when they come to visit. He and my female Lovebird are everyone's favorites. Like Itchy said, if it's normal for the bird is what they know. Just start it when you bring your guy home and never stop. I did have a flashback to when my guy was a baby and I'm recalling that he was super nippy. He's sure not now. He almost never indiscriminately bites. I can't even remember the last time he bit me. Galah's are great pet cockatoos, probably the best of them. I refer to him as a "big pink cockatiel" in describing him to others.

Piasa · Jan 25, 2016

!! He bit the boss? Lol!

plumsmum2005 · Jan 25, 2016

GalahCockatooLover said:
Hello! I was wandering if someone could share me some pros and cons about galahs. And also things i should consider before buying one. And anything that i might need to know or anything that could help me in the future. Im planning to buy one some day. <3

Hi it's great that you have decided you would like a RB2 sometime. A pause for thought but would you consider re-homing one instead of going for a baby? It's heartbreaking that so many end up not wanted anymore. From personal experience they do seem very individual birds and have a strong will. They decide how they will be and who with. It is very rewarding owning one but you also need to be able to devote a lot of time and thought to him/her. The right diet is important, can be costly and time consuming. If you need an AV they are costly. RB2's are challenging, rewarding, funny, loving, individual, single minded and clever but there is absolutely no way I would want not to be a part of Plums life. I wish you luck in your aspiration and an informed owner is the best kind.

GracelynNBirds · Jan 25, 2016

plumsmum2005 said:
GalahCockatooLover said:

Hello! I was wandering if someone could share me some pros and cons about galahs. And also things i should consider before buying one. And anything that i might need to know or anything that could help me in the future. Im planning to buy one some day. <3

Click to expand...

Hi it's great that you have decided you would like a RB2 sometime. A pause for thought but would you consider re-homing one instead of going for a baby? It's heartbreaking that so many end up not wanted anymore. From personal experience they do seem very individual birds and have a strong will. They decide how they will be and who with. It is very rewarding owning one but you also need to be able to devote a lot of time and thought to him/her. The right diet is important, can be costly and time consuming. If you need an AV they are costly. RB2's are challenging, rewarding, funny, loving, individual, single minded and clever but there is absolutely no way I would want not to be a part of Plums life. I wish you luck in your aspiration and an informed owner is the best kind.

Thanks! I've been looking at shelters in my state but there are not many down here in texas and they don't have any galahs.

But I look online a lot for galahs that need rebooking but not to pricey.

plumsmum2005 · Jan 26, 2016

Hi do you have any bird clubs that you could get involved with as sometimes someone knows someone who has a bird or are thinking of rehoming/waiting for something to come along.

Galah Pros and Cons?

GracelynNBirds

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Dinosrawr

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OOwl

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itchyfeet

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Piasa

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