Hello! Galah advice and support please!

[HannahandSunny]

Hello everyone! I hope some of you remember me, I don’t come online very often anymore. I still have my Aviary of lovely cockatiels and cheeky budgies.
And I still miss my Sunny boy everyday!

A friend of mine who is the local wildlife rescuer was contacted by a neighbour of a lady whose health was in decline and was seriously worried about the well being of her pets. To cut a long story short I put my hand up to temporarily take on the Galah (been in captivity for at least 7 years). This galah has been living in a small budgie type cage in the lady’s kitchen. The house was in a state-health hazard sort of state. And the cage was full of droppings. Filthy.

I let the Galah to settle in my house for a couple of days, much bigger cage (not ideal for permanent of course). He was very scared, confused and shut down. I added some leafy branches which he took great delight in destroying and playing with straight away which was lovey to see. After a couple of days I opened the cage to see if he would come out., after a bit of gentle encouragement and guidance he made it out and thoroughly enjoyed sitting on top of his cage and cleaning himself. He even tried grooming my hair and eyelids on the first time he came out.
I’ve been caring for him for 2 weeks now, he’s not particularly tame, I can’t touch him, but he doesn’t mind my face being close. he can bite HARD. Which is fair enough.
he has ended up on my shoulder a couple of times after him climbing up the branch I hold to get him back in the cage, and he happily cleans himself while on me. Very sweet deep down, just afraid.
He absolutely loves coming out his cage, and is getting braver at exploring his room and sometimes the lounge. He can’t fly, due to an old wing injury. But he can flap a bit ti get him a very short distance.
My problem of course is.. I’ve become attached. He’s really settled in and I feel guilty about moving him on. My friend has someone who can take him, a bird dude who has other galahs and aviary’s. Which is probably fantastic but I’m naturally worried now. Is he going to be okay there, I need to find out more info about him as I don’t know if his aviary is suitable for a flightless bird?
I’d love to keep him, and I want too. But it’s so risky having a nervous bird in the house who bites very hard when I have a 2 year old human toddler. And also I feel bad the couple of days I’m at work and he’s home alone in his cage. If I kept him I’d have to get a bigger cage, but my only room in the house suitable for that would be my guinea pig room but I wouldn’t be able to have him in there because he could hurt my guinea pigs when he’s out the cage.
I don’t know if I should persuade my partner for me to get another aviary for him so he can live outside? Perhaps I could get him a friend if I have him outside? But then surely It would just make sense for me to let him go to that man if I’m going to keep him outside.
Arggghhhh why have I done this to myself!
I’ve finally decided to call him Chirp (Chirpy). But that could change.
What do you think I should do?

This is where he use to live..
I try not to judge, the lady’s health is terrible. It’s no way for a human to live let alone an animal. Sad for everyone.

And having the first spray bath he’s probably had in 7 years!..

 

[LaManuka46]

Hannah, whatever happens to Chirp from here, I know one thing for sure, and that's that he will have a much happier life because of you, whether you decide to keep him or not. He's lovely, and I would find it very hard to let him go too!

 

[Keet_Krazy]

To him, two weeks has been basically no time. And galahs are very prone to being neophobic. So while yes, making sure your toddler is safe is a priority, bare in mind Chirp is very much still adjusting, his life has been severely disrupted. He may become less nervous overtime as he becomes used to you, your family, your home, schedule etc. and as he actually bonds with you.
Galahs are such special birds. I can understand you feeling the way you do. I had never planned or wanted one and now I'd never part with my pink chicken.
My boy does well in aviary living and is well adjusted to my work schedule. But I've had him since he was a baby and I made a point of making sure he was quite independent. Being outside helps provide them with visual enrichment and I believe my guy gets irregular visits from the local galahs.

 

[AMD41]

Oh My....I have been somewhat in your shoes with rescuing a parrot, and then how to move on. We ended up keeping her and she will be 11 yrs old this month. In the meantime what a beautiful bird he is! All my parrots adjusted to us not being home with work and school. We did play cd's and talk shows on the radio so they could hear humans talking. That really helped alot.. As for the toddler in the house, well my grandaughter was around my parrots at that age, and we taught her not to try to grab the parrots. Not easy but it is doable. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[saxguy6443]

Hannah, it's always great to see you! Wish it was more often, but we understand life and time constraints, especially when you have little ones.

It comes as no surprise that you'd be helping another bird in need. Another one who hit the jackpot by finding you. He's beautiful! He may be shut down and only time and patience will get past that, but he's already showing tremendous hope in his behavior. Being that close to you and preening you unafraid is huge given his previous life.

I'm sure you'll make the right decision with him and move forward from there. Please keep us updated!

And yes, those of us who remember Sunny miss him as well. What a beautiful story with him and we're so happy you shared it with us!

 

[Rick. L.]

Hello everyone! I hope some of you remember me, I don’t come online very often anymore. I still have my Aviary of lovely cockatiels and cheeky budgies.
And I still miss my Sunny boy everyday!

A friend of mine who is the local wildlife rescuer was contacted by a neighbour of a lady whose health was in decline and was seriously worried about the well being of her pets. To cut a long story short I put my hand up to temporarily take on the Galah (been in captivity for at least 7 years). This galah has been living in a small budgie type cage in the lady’s kitchen. The house was in a state-health hazard sort of state. And the cage was full of droppings. Filthy.

I let the Galah to settle in my house for a couple of days, much bigger cage (not ideal for permanent of course). He was very scared, confused and shut down. I added some leafy branches which he took great delight in destroying and playing with straight away which was lovey to see. After a couple of days I opened the cage to see if he would come out., after a bit of gentle encouragement and guidance he made it out and thoroughly enjoyed sitting on top of his cage and cleaning himself. He even tried grooming my hair and eyelids on the first time he came out.
I’ve been caring for him for 2 weeks now, he’s not particularly tame, I can’t touch him, but he doesn’t mind my face being close. he can bite HARD. Which is fair enough.
he has ended up on my shoulder a couple of times after him climbing up the branch I hold to get him back in the cage, and he happily cleans himself while on me. Very sweet deep down, just afraid.
He absolutely loves coming out his cage, and is getting braver at exploring his room and sometimes the lounge. He can’t fly, due to an old wing injury. But he can flap a bit ti get him a very short distance.
My problem of course is.. I’ve become attached. He’s really settled in and I feel guilty about moving him on. My friend has someone who can take him, a bird dude who has other galahs and aviary’s. Which is probably fantastic but I’m naturally worried now. Is he going to be okay there, I need to find out more info about him as I don’t know if his aviary is suitable for a flightless bird?
I’d love to keep him, and I want too. But it’s so risky having a nervous bird in the house who bites very hard when I have a 2 year old human toddler. And also I feel bad the couple of days I’m at work and he’s home alone in his cage. If I kept him I’d have to get a bigger cage, but my only room in the house suitable for that would be my guinea pig room but I wouldn’t be able to have him in there because he could hurt my guinea pigs when he’s out the cage.
I don’t know if I should persuade my partner for me to get another aviary for him so he can live outside? Perhaps I could get him a friend if I have him outside? But then surely It would just make sense for me to let him go to that man if I’m going to keep him outside.
Arggghhhh why have I done this to myself!
I’ve finally decided to call him Chirp (Chirpy). But that could change.
What do you think I should do?

This is where he use to live..
I try not to judge, the lady’s health is terrible. It’s no way for a human to live let alone an animal. Sad for everyone.
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View attachment 85010View attachment 85009View attachment 85011View attachment 85012

And having the first spray bath he’s probably had in 7 years!..
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My gosh! He's beautiful and while you've just fostered him, you can see the mutual bond. I would keep him and teach your toddler the do's and do not's of caring for a new pet. Good luck

 

[DonnaBudgie]

What a beautiful bird! He's in such good feather condition considering the life he's led. He would make a great companion for the right person. I'd have a hard time letting him go but having a bird like a Galah doesn't fit in with everyone's life.

 

[HannahandSunny]

To him, two weeks has been basically no time. And galahs are very prone to being neophobic. So while yes, making sure your toddler is safe is a priority, bare in mind Chirp is very much still adjusting, his life has been severely disrupted. He may become less nervous overtime as he becomes used to you, your family, your home, schedule etc. and as he actually bonds with you.
Galahs are such special birds. I can understand you feeling the way you do. I had never planned or wanted one and now I'd never part with my pink chicken.
My boy does well in aviary living and is well adjusted to my work schedule. But I've had him since he was a baby and I made a point of making sure he was quite independent. Being outside helps provide them with visual enrichment and I believe my guy gets irregular visits from the local galahs.

Thank you,
Yes definitely understand about animals especially birds taking there time to acclimatise to their new surrounds, He’s gotten so use to me a does little wing stretches when I approach. So sweet.
Yesterday he decided by himself that he would venture into the lounge room to have an explore.
He also likes picking leaves and brushing is cage with it like I’ve seen the wild galahs do at their nest hollow in one of my trees!
Do you find the wild galahs make your galah stressed when they visit him in the aviary? I always feel a bit heartbroken when he sees/hears the wild ones through the window.

 

[HannahandSunny]

Hannah, it's always great to see you! Wish it was more often, but we understand life and time constraints, especially when you have little ones.

It comes as no surprise that you'd be helping another bird in need. Another one who hit the jackpot by finding you. He's beautiful! He may be shut down and only time and patience will get past that, but he's already showing tremendous hope in his behavior. Being that close to you and preening you unafraid is huge given his previous life.

I'm sure you'll make the right decision with him and move forward from there. Please keep us updated!

And yes, those of us who remember Sunny miss him as well. What a beautiful story with him and we're so happy you shared it with us!

Lovey to hear from you!
Thank you for the kind words.
Chirp has come such a long way already, it’s certainly a difficult and seemingly impossible decision to make now!

 

[HannahandSunny]

What a beautiful bird! He's in such good feather condition considering the life he's led. He would make a great companion for the right person. I'd have a hard time letting him go but having a bird like a Galah doesn't fit in with everyone's life.

Yes I was surprised by that too!
He does spend a lot of time preening himself, likes to keep himself in tip top condition!

 

[HannahandSunny]

I’ve still got Mr Chirpy

 

[Geo666uk1]

I ended up with jack from the father in law who was very bonded too him but due to declining health couldn’t keep him. Jack has always bitten anyone else but the fil however he seems to have taken to me and will happily come over for head rubs. We have a 5 year old and I’m not sure if I’m giving him too much intelligence but he seems to know he’s young and doesn’t nip him when he comes close like he will my wife or elder daughters

 

[LaManuka46]

I’ve still got Mr Chirpy View attachment 85053View attachment 85054

I dunno @HannahandSunny, Mr Chirpy is starting to look a bit like a permanent fixture!

 

[HannahandSunny]

Chirpy Chirps is still having a good time at my house!
I do feel I need to find him a new home though, only when the right and most perfect one comes up. There’s no rush.

 

[bonita]

He looks very happy with you! I was trying to adopt a galah but it turned out to be a scam. Honestly if he bites hard and you have a 2 yr. old he could easily take of a finger! Unless the room can be inexcessible by your child I would not consider it. Should you decide to rehome him, I would gladly pay for shipping cost to Camp Hill P.A. We are an older couple ,I've had birds since I was 8 yrs. I have an empty flight cage and a senior blue headed conure. He is in a 10 foot cage with a 2 ft. play gym on top I have 3 grown children and 8 grandchildren.