Cacatua roseicapilla

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Family

Cacatuidae

Genus

Cacatua

Species

roseicapilla

Common Names

Galah, Goulie, Roseate Cockatoo, Rose-breasted Cockatoo, Willie-Willock

Distinguishing Features

The Galah is easily identified and is one of Canberra's most familiar birds. It has a rose-pink head and underbelly, with a paler pink crown and grey wings, back and tail. The male and the female have similar colouring.

Survey Techniques

Call and visual identification.

Species Call

A distinctive high-pitched metallic screech, 'chirrink-chirrink'.

Similar Species

While very distinct, the Galah has a similar shape to the Gang-Gang Cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum ). The Gang-Gang Cockatoo has darker grey plumage fringed with white. The female is entirely grey with the male having deep pink to red plumage on the head.

Distribution

The Galah is common over most of Australia.

Country of Origin

Australia.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

They are common around Canberra all year round, peaking slightly in winter (COG).

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Secure, not listed under the EPBC Act 1999. They are listed as an official Native Household Pet Animal. Galahs eat the seeds of cultivated crops, making them a pest in some agricultural regions. Their population numbers are now growing in coastal areas where land is opened up by clearing.

LSCCES Population

The species was recorded across the whole survey area, with highest numbers in Turner.

Associated vegetation community

Any fairly open timbered region with access to a reliable water source is suitable for the species, including suburban areas with parklands.

Limiting Resources

Galahs require nest hollows in mature eucalypt trees, returning to the same tree year after year.

Breeding

Galahs form permanent bonds and both sexes incubate the eggs and care for the young. They choose a tree hollow between 2-20m from the ground and line it with leaves and small twigs. Clutch size is about 3-6 and requires about 30 days of incubation. The young are dependant for their first three months and can be seen in Canberra from mid-October through the summer months. About half the young birds die in the summer while they are learning to survive on their own.

Behaviour

The Galah is noisy and conspicuous, often seen hanging from telegraph wires or feeding on the ground. They are social birds and move around and feed in large groups of around 30 birds and up to 1000 birds in open bushland. They are strong flyers, and have been timed at over 50km/hr.

Functional Group

Granivorous

Food Species

Galahs are often seen on the ground, feeding on whatever seeds they can find.

Predators

Both feral and domestic Cats (Felis catus) and Dogs (Canis familiaris) will attack young birds.

Interesting Fact

Galahs can breed with other members of the cockatoo family, including the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita ).