A New Galah

Question
QUESTION: I am considering buying a galah and I would like to ask a few questions!   

Are males or females better tempered or are they about the same. The one I am considering buying is a male that is 6 months. Would he be easy to train (he is not hand-reared & has been an aviary bird.) He is still young so I am not really sure!   

Also are they good pets (galahs?) I have recently had cockatiels and I am looking for a change, so I just needed to know the basic facts. Also do cockatiels go good with Galahs or are they best kept in seperate cages?  

Thanks for your time & assistance,  Mikayla

ANSWER: Galah's (aka: Rose Breasted Cockatoos) are very smart and lovely birds. If you have patience and keep things calm, you should be able to tame him despite his aviary youth.  Since they live to well over 50 years old when well cared for, a 6 month old is just a little baby.
  Be kind, gentle and keep your voice soft, your actions smooth (no sudden or jerky movements) and don't try to rush things, but be sure to work everyday with him and get him out of his cage every day (this is important).

 As for sharing a cage with a 'tiel, absolutely no. First, it allows the birds to stay more bonded to their human if they don't have physical interaction with another bird; second, accidents happen. If the 'too were to beak the little one, even in affection, it could get too rough and the results would be tragic.

 Separate cages, but near each other (see how we keep ours)  www.4AnimalCare.org (click on 'birds')


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks alot for the helpful advice! I guess you have a point, 6 months compared to 50 years is very little!

I will go slowly and carefully with training him to be the best companion!
Another question, what do they eat? I just want to give it the best diet to keep it healthy!

I will keep the aviary (for the galah) near the 'tiel cage! This way they can keep each other a bit of company during the day (just not too much!)

Thanks alot again, Mikayla

Answer
Any pelleted diet that's made for this size bird, supplemented with about 20% quality seed mix (without sunflower seeds, which are easily addictive, high in fat and best avoided) and fresh fruits and vegetables.

I've known many bird people who end up healthier than they've ever been because they start making their own meals to share with their feathered friends.  Low or no salt, no preservatives or artificial sweetener - plenty of vegetables, greens, beans, whole grains - it's really easy to "eat like a bird" !

We have more info for you here: www.4AnimalCare.org (click on 'birds')