Galah Cockatoo

[Wings]

They didn't. They took already invented techniques, and presented in a way that is easy to understand. I didn't understand stick-training until bought their product, it was presented very well. Jamieleigh is such a charismatic and amazingly nice person. I got to meet their toucan "Rocko"

 

[aether-drifter]

One thing i don't like about galahs, is in all the videos i've seen they've seem like they are dull in personality. I mean, i know they are packed with personality, but i mean they don't show it well in the videos i've seen. Bandit from birdtricks is an example.

I am curious as to why you would say Bandit seems "dull"? I think he is hilarious and super cute, just full of personality. He is one of the birds that made me fall in love with galahs, back when I was researching them.

Anyway, you've had most of your questions answered for you already, but on the subject of noise I would say galahs are by far the most quiet cockatoos. I live in an apartment and have zero issues with Boris here. Granted some rosies do scream for longer periods than he does -- I get a couple of screeches out of him a day and that's it. He doesn't scream for attention, just contact calls (and it's not particularly loud or irritating). It's only bad when he gets excited and screeches directly into your ear.

He does well entertaining himself in his cage, but when he is out he is a pest. Always wants to get his beak into whatever it is I'm doing -- he has ripped buttons off my remote controls, stolen my cell phone, etc. etc. They're QUICK. And he has little interest in bird toys when he is out, so sticking him on a play stand usually does not work. He's very beaky, not in an aggressive way...he just likes to play with things and unfortunately fingers fall into that category. He does try to control himself and not bite too hard, but he gets carried away easily.

I think they are so smart and active that they get bored easily. At least this has been my experience with Boris -- not all galahs are alike just as not all people are.

I think when you meet the parrot that is right for you, you will just know. Are you most drawn to galahs, or another species? For me there is no question I am a cockatoo person. The minute I first saw a galah in person I knew I HAD to have one, and at that point I had only ever had budgies. So I researched the hell out of them for months before taking the plunge.

 

[Wings]

There is one bird i just HAVE to have, but will never happen... Kea. Otherwise, one bird that i will have one day is a hawk-headed parrot. I love them so much. The one i saw was the most stunning, happy, personable parrot i've ever met. My local bird-store is selling them for $1,199. Not going to get one though. THey need a very experienced owner, or they get to stimulated and get depressed. Yikes!

 

[aether-drifter]

Personally, I think if a hawkhead is your dream bird then that is the bird you should get. Unless you are genuinely excited about a different bird, don't "settle" for it. You can always gain bird experience by volunteering at a rescue or even a bird store. There are people who have gotten a "difficult" species as a first bird because they either didn't know any better at the time, or were just very committed, and made it work. I have not personally had a hawkhead, but I don't necessarily think they are much (if any) more challenging than a cockatoo or a macaw. I suggest talking to other HH owners online or in person and gaining some insight.

Of course, if you REALLY want a galah and feel prepared then I say go for it.

EDIT: To clarify, I'm not necessarily saying get the hawkhead NOW. Wait until you feel ready. But don't "practice" on other birds that you think will be less challenging, if you eventually intend to get your dream bird and the first bird will then be second-fiddle. Not that I'm saying you would do this, but I've seen it happen a lot and I always feel bad for those "starter birds" that were settled for.

 

[khaiqha]

Not to make the decision any harder, but if there was a bird I could have solely for its flying, it would have to be a Vasa. They can soar like birds of prey, and they can dive like them too. People reported that they sometimes hunted mice in the wild. On the ground they can even run and hop, and are agile climbers too.

 

[aether-drifter]

Aren't vasa parrots extremely hard to come by and fairly expensive? They are very interesting birds though.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Ive said I have a Hawkhead so ask away....Moonchild I LOVE Boris's pictures .Im so cracking up at the one with his tongue hanging out [he he]. Im getting a just weaned one flown in from Georgia Saturday.Did I read somewhere you got a bare eyed ?

 

[Wings]

Vasas aren't THAT expensive (rarely over $1000) anyway, i would never "practice" on other birds. I have lots of experience fostering and volunteering just i am not comfortable in my abilities for a hawkhead. I cuddle with birds for hours, an HH would get too stimulated and i just couldn't do that to the bird. Thanks for your concern. Vasas are such cool birds but quite unusual...

 

[khaiqha]

The breeder where I live sells Greaters for 995 and Lessers for 795. They are pretty rare in the US though. I really want one, partly because I think they look like Chocobos from Final Fantasy (a popular video game). I like everything about them except their mating season, what with the females going bald and the males having a hemi-penis out during that time. I'm still considering getting a male down the road.

 

[aether-drifter]

Ive said I have a Hawkhead so ask away....Moonchild I LOVE Boris's pictures .Im so cracking up at the one with his tongue hanging out [he he]. Im getting a just weaned one flown in from Georgia Saturday.Did I read somewhere you got a bare eyed ?

haha thanks, he is hilarious.

I did rescue a bare-eyed, but I only had her for a week and a half. She turned out to be much much louder than Boris and the nieghbors raised a stink so I had to rehome her. It was stupid of me to think I'd get lucky with another too in an apartment, I guess. But I'm happy to say Lily found a great home and she is happy there. I helped her get to a much better place than where she was at, even if I was not meant to be her final home.

 

[aether-drifter]

Vasas aren't THAT expensive (rarely over $1000) anyway, i would never "practice" on other birds. I have lots of experience fostering and volunteering just i am not comfortable in my abilities for a hawkhead. I cuddle with birds for hours, an HH would get too stimulated and i just couldn't do that to the bird. Thanks for your concern. Vasas are such cool birds but quite unusual...

Sorry, wasn't sure how experienced with birds you were.
In general it's not good to cuddle with birds for hours, especially not cockatoos...it makes for an overly dependent bird, and leads to behavior problems...

There is someone on another forum that has two HHs, and her female is just an absolute doll. Sweet, gentle, easy-going loves to be pet. Seems to me that as long as you give them the proper balance of attention and encouragement to play independently and be birds, they can be lovely companions.

 

[aether-drifter]

The breeder where I live sells Greaters for 995 and Lessers for 795. They are pretty rare in the US though. I really want one, partly because I think they look like Chocobos from Final Fantasy (a popular video game). I like everything about them except their mating season, what with the females going bald and the males having a hemi-penis out during that time. I'm still considering getting a male down the road.

I didn't know they were that cheap!

They are cool birds, but their external sexual organs really freak me out. I've been pictures of them mating and it is WEIRD! lol.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

I so wanted to get a Bare eyed [when I was deciding on a another 2 ] .I couldn't find out to much info on them . My RB2 died so that's why Im ending up with another [and they are quiet] As life has it I rehomed this insane Goffin and its like OMG hang on for the ride [he is loud as hell too] But I own my own place [so they can yell away LOL} IMO Goffins are meant for bored parrot owners [just kidding ]

 

[aether-drifter]

haha, my friend has a Goffins and she is so funny. More hyperactive than Boris, even, very very playful and outgoing. Loves everybody. She is louder than Boris but not as loud as Lily (my corella) was. She was such a sweetheart, though. I wish it could have worked out.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

OMG Im so jealous ,she was beautiful!!! I don't think could get another 2 that would make 4 but hey you never know !!!!

 

[aether-drifter]

Yeah, she was beautiful. I'm amazed that her feathers looked this good after two years of eating nothing but pigeon food. Her owners cared about her but were very uneducated. They didn't even know what kind of bird she was.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

I would call them the Food slinging screaming MIMI's [LOL]

 

[aether-drifter]

haha. I didn't want to tell them what kind of bird she actually was, lest they realize they were WAY undercharging for her. I don't think I will ever come across another healthy cockatoo for $100.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Your right she did look great !! Im sure she so happy now. My Goffin was in a upstairs room by himself from 11 to 5 then the covered him for bed at 8 . They rarely took him out . He was soo rebelling . Hes done a whole 360 at my house . He wanted someone to play with him.

 

[aether-drifter]

Some people just don't realize how intelligent they are and that sticking them in a corner and ignoring them is pretty much the same thing as doing that to a human child. Naturally they're going to rebel...