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They hatched them out, but after a few days refused to feed them and
let them die. When taken away from their parents for hand rearing
around 2 to 3 weeks is a usually a good age. Galahs are very noisy
babies when hand rearing, with their cries for food being somewhat a
little hard to bare at times. The
end result is a beautifully |
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tamed companion which usually stays very
quiet.Mutations are becoming more frequent in captivity,
with birds such as Lutino, Blue, Cinnamon, and Albino now established
in aviculture.
We in Australia are lucky to have three
species of Galahs, the most common being the Eastern or common race (Eolophus roseicapillus), with
the Western (Eolophus assimilis),
and Northern(Eolophus kuhli),
being the other two. The common races distribution covers most of
Australia, with the Western only found in lower and central W.A., with
the Northern and more rarest being found in the top end of W.A. and
into the Northern Territory. Galahs are very hardy cockatoos with a
size of 35cm, with the Kuhli only being 28 t0 30 cm.
In the wild breeding is done by rainfall, and in a good year double
clutches are very possible. These birds nest in hollow stumps or trees
ranging from 1 to 20 metres off the ground. After fledging the young
birds stay in groups and can be seen congregating together with other
birds while feeding. Australia is world known for its massive flocks of
Galahs flying at great pace threw the sky. In some parts of the country
flocks are so enormous that means of culling is done by poisoning or
shooting to protect grain crops. This also destroys other species such
as Corellas and Sulphur crested Cockatoos. This may seem a little
unfair, but due to habitat decline these birds gather in huge numbers
to fed on farmers crops such as sunflower etc. In the wild these birds
feed on seeding grasses, fruits, berries, nuts, roots, buds, herbaceous
plants, and grains such as oats, sunflower and wheat. As mentioned
earlier they are very playful birds and in the wild they can be seen
flying doing acrobaticle tricks, spinning in mid air and hanging upside
down from electricity wires.
CONCLUSION:
Galahs are very common birds in Australia and over looked by many
aviculturists, which in my view is a shame. They make very good aviary
and pet birds and are very hardy, so little problems occur with them.
Although they can be kept in small aviaries they prefer good open
spaces to muck about in, and love foraging on the ground. Because of
this worms do occur, but can be treated quiet easily with medication.
Pink and Greys as they are also known as are delightful little
cockatoos and given the change they deserve would be loved be even the
advanced aviculturists.
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