Galah (Cacatua rosiecapilla)

What do they look like? Galahs need little introduction – striking pink and grey cockatoos about 35 cm long, usually seen in flocks. One of the most beautiful parrots in Australia.

Where do they live? Galahs are common across the region, except in the wettest areas and dense forests. Their favoured habitats are open grasslands, lightly timbered country and cropping land. Galahs are often considered pests by farmers. They have expanded into coastal areas as a result of human activities.

What do they need to live, eat and breed? Galahs are primarily granivores (seed eaters) but also feed on roots and stems of low-growing herbs and grasses. They nest in tree hollows. In inland parts, Galahs will become nomadic (travel to follow rainfall) if conditions become unfavourable.

When might I see (or hear) them? Any time of day, especially around bores and other water points, homesteads, cattle yards, grain storage areas and suburbs. Flocks of Galahs have a noisy, metallic screech.

What management actions affect this species? Galahs are ‘disturbance increasers’ – increasing in numbers with clearing, cropping and urbanisation. Proliferation of species such as Galahs indicates high levels of alteration of the natural landscape and is indicative of a decrease in overall bird diversity. Historically, they were rare or absent from coastal areas where our major cities now stand. Now, however, they are among the most common species.

How do they benefit the land I manage? Galahs are destructive eaters, digging into the ground to pull up herb and grass roots. This might help water infiltration, but also removes grass cover and allows weedy, fast-growing species to perpetuate, creating a negative feedback loop. Galahs create conditions that help support the weedy species which are their preferred food.