The Galah, Eolophus roseicapilla, () is one of the most common and widespread cockatoos. It occupies open country in almost all parts of mainland Australia.

Galahs have a pale to mid grey back, a pink face and chest, and a lighter pink crest. Sexes are similar, differing only in eye colour: the male has a brown iris, the female red.

Typical birds are about 35cm long and weigh between 300 and 400 grams.

The classification of the Galah is difficult. It was originally placed alone in the genus Eolophus, as there are clear morphological differences between the Galah and the white cockatoos that make up genus Cacatua (though older sources place the Galah in that genus). DNA evidence, however, conflicts with this, suggesting that the Galah is most closely related to the Cockatiel. It is thought that the ancestors of the Galah, the Cockatiel, and Major Mitchell's Cockatoo diverged from the main white cockatoo line at some stage prior to that group's main radiation. Aviary bred crosses of Galahs and Major Mitchells have been bred in Sydney, with the tapered wings of the Galah and the crest and colours of the Major Mitchell, as well as it's plaintive cry.

Three subspecies are usually recognised. The south-eastern form, E. r. roseicapillus is clearly distinct from the paler-bodied Western Australian form, E. r. assimilis, although the extent and nature of the central hybrid zone remains undefined. Most pet birds outside Australia are the south-eastern form. The third form, E. r. kuhli, is found right across the northern part of the continent, tends to be a little smaller and is distinguished by differences in the shape of the crest and eye-ring, although its status as a true subspecies is uncertain.

Galahs are found in all Australian states, and are absent only from the driest areas and the far north of Cape York Peninsula. They appear to have been self-introduced to Tasmania. They are common in some metropolitan areas, for example Perth, and common to abundant in open habitats which offer at least some scattered trees for shelter. The changes wrought by European settlement, a disaster for many species, have been highly beneficial for the Galah because of the clearing of forests in fertile areas and the provision of stock watering points in arid zones.

Galahs are highly social and very long lived: though they are sometimes kept as pets, this is not something to be undertaken lightly as they bond socially with their owners and may well outlive them.

Galah is also derogatory Australian slang, synonymous with 'fool' or 'idiot'. Inquiries of Australian contrymen in the '70's suggest that this is a misunderstanding. It was impressed on me that the reference to a 'Silly Galah' is based on the sheer exuberance of the species and its willingness to enjoy the moment - Galahs do not have the concept of dignity. Max Manly Vale WRL, 1977 held that Galahs are very self-confident and have a great zest for life, and are not embarrassed by anything they may care to do or be caught doing (unlike cats). It is very common to see them hanging by one leg from telephone or power lines in a rainstorm getting soaking wet and screeching with delight. There are many reports of them tobogganing down the corrugated roofs of outback buildings.

Image:Galahs flying motion blur.jpg|Galahs taking off with a motion blur Image:Galahs in eucalyptus tree.jpg|Galahs sitting in a gum tree Image:Galah_male-1-wik.jpg|male Galah

References

• Flegg, Jim. Birds of Australia: Photographic Field Guide Sydney: Reed New Holland, 2002. (ISBN 1876334789)
• ^* The Australian Galah - A Website dedicated to Galahs
• Joseph M Forshaw, Australian Parrots, Lansdowne Press, Melbourne, 1969 & 72
• Birds of the Australian High Country, H.J.Frith,A.H. & A.W.Reed, Sydney 1969

Cacatuidae | Birds of Australia | Australian Aboriginal terms

Kakadu růžový | Rosa kakadue | Rosakakadu | Galah