Hello! I've been scrolling through this forum for a few days now reading anything I can find relevant to galah cockatoos, but decided joining the discussion myself will likely be more productive in the long run, so here I am XD
I've been in love with galah cockatoos for years now, they're one of my dream birds alongside African greys, and I'm finally at the point of craving a feathered friend in my life again after the loss of my gcc Woodstock. I'm in l my 20s, which most will consider young, but I'm also not getting any younger. My dream birds live decades, both having the capability of reaching 70 (even if it doesn't happen regularly!) I'm willing to make that lifelong commitment, but if I want a younger bird I can't wait much longer without risking leaving them behind when I pass, and that would break my heart.
To my questions: would I be a suitable home for a galah or grey?
- I'm a student at the moment and work part time as a tutor (I'm allowed to schedule my available hours)
- My courses are scheduled so that I'm never in classes longer than 3 consecutive hours, and most of the time I have an hour to return between classes to spend time with a bird and eat (1hr class, 1hr break, 1hr class, 4hr break, 1.5hr class is how most of the week is set up)
- I usually have three hours worth of class a day, five twice a week due to labs, so plenty of time to spend with a bird. One of my lab classes is also scheduled later at night after I'd like to have put said bird to bed.
- Mornings and weekends are free, though I might schedule my work hours late in the day on weekends, again after I'll have set the bird's bedtime. I know quality sleep is especially important for 'toos, as well as a proper diet. On that note,
- I have access to a supermarket quite close by so I can have fresh produce for chop and healthier treats, and I'm fairly crafty so I'm sure I can make some foraging and shreddable toys and perches.
- I have roommates, but everyone is willing to accommodate (and excited to, actually) a bird, and they have different hours than I do so they could likely keep the bird company, though not hands-on attention.
- I live close to campus (~20 mins) so I could commute from home to classes if necessary rather than live in the dorms, though that would cut out those one hour intervals between classes to return home and check on them.
I realize that galah can be loud, but I'm hoping I can emphasize mimicry over screaming contact calls as a way to get my attention, I'm even considering teaching a sort of "phone ringing" sound as a way to call me over to replace a standard contact call, I saw a galah in one of the many videos I've watched making such a sound and thought it would be perfect to utilize.
I know this is not a commitment to jump into, nor consider lightly, but my fear is that waiting longer will cut me off of this opportunity. Rescues exist (though uncommonly in my area), and they're a wonderful option to give a bird a second chance at living a happy and healthy life, but unless I find a miracle 'too or grey with very few behavioral problems to work through, I couldn't feasibly handle one at the moment. I plan on getting exclusively rescues later in my life, since adopting a baby would just set them up for heartbreak later on, but at the moment I have my heart set on a younger bird and I'd really love a galah. I know puberty tends to be rough, especially for 'toos, but I would never abandon or give up on my bird no matter how much they might decide to hate my guts during the teenage years. Sorry for such a long post, but I'd like to hear what everyone has to say with this information in mind!
I've been in love with galah cockatoos for years now, they're one of my dream birds alongside African greys, and I'm finally at the point of craving a feathered friend in my life again after the loss of my gcc Woodstock. I'm in l my 20s, which most will consider young, but I'm also not getting any younger. My dream birds live decades, both having the capability of reaching 70 (even if it doesn't happen regularly!) I'm willing to make that lifelong commitment, but if I want a younger bird I can't wait much longer without risking leaving them behind when I pass, and that would break my heart.
To my questions: would I be a suitable home for a galah or grey?
- I'm a student at the moment and work part time as a tutor (I'm allowed to schedule my available hours)
- My courses are scheduled so that I'm never in classes longer than 3 consecutive hours, and most of the time I have an hour to return between classes to spend time with a bird and eat (1hr class, 1hr break, 1hr class, 4hr break, 1.5hr class is how most of the week is set up)
- I usually have three hours worth of class a day, five twice a week due to labs, so plenty of time to spend with a bird. One of my lab classes is also scheduled later at night after I'd like to have put said bird to bed.
- Mornings and weekends are free, though I might schedule my work hours late in the day on weekends, again after I'll have set the bird's bedtime. I know quality sleep is especially important for 'toos, as well as a proper diet. On that note,
- I have access to a supermarket quite close by so I can have fresh produce for chop and healthier treats, and I'm fairly crafty so I'm sure I can make some foraging and shreddable toys and perches.
- I have roommates, but everyone is willing to accommodate (and excited to, actually) a bird, and they have different hours than I do so they could likely keep the bird company, though not hands-on attention.
- I live close to campus (~20 mins) so I could commute from home to classes if necessary rather than live in the dorms, though that would cut out those one hour intervals between classes to return home and check on them.
I realize that galah can be loud, but I'm hoping I can emphasize mimicry over screaming contact calls as a way to get my attention, I'm even considering teaching a sort of "phone ringing" sound as a way to call me over to replace a standard contact call, I saw a galah in one of the many videos I've watched making such a sound and thought it would be perfect to utilize.
I know this is not a commitment to jump into, nor consider lightly, but my fear is that waiting longer will cut me off of this opportunity. Rescues exist (though uncommonly in my area), and they're a wonderful option to give a bird a second chance at living a happy and healthy life, but unless I find a miracle 'too or grey with very few behavioral problems to work through, I couldn't feasibly handle one at the moment. I plan on getting exclusively rescues later in my life, since adopting a baby would just set them up for heartbreak later on, but at the moment I have my heart set on a younger bird and I'd really love a galah. I know puberty tends to be rough, especially for 'toos, but I would never abandon or give up on my bird no matter how much they might decide to hate my guts during the teenage years. Sorry for such a long post, but I'd like to hear what everyone has to say with this information in mind!