Galah

[LondonLady]

Hi, I'm new to this site, I just joined. I'm not really sure on what I am doing, lol. I am a new owner of a 20 week old Galah I don't know if it's M or F but I keep saying him...His name is Kookie, and is so tame & friendly, he's my first Galah, I previously had a fantastic African grey. I wanted to ask other owners a couple of questions, when Kookie is out and on my lap, he makes a very soft squeaking type of noise, does anybody know what it means? He isn't worried or anything...also, sometimes he does like a soft hissing noise too, he isn't anxious or anything when out, he's very relaxed and happy. Thanks in advance

 

[wrench13]

Welcome and be welcomed. Sorry, zero Cockatoo expoerience here, but there are lots of owners on the forum. If you have a direct cockatoo question, as you do, I would post a new thread in the Cockatoo sub forum, and make the title of it "Squeaking ??" or something along those lines - you'll get advice faster, from the cockatoo owners who participate on that forum.

Good luck with Kookie, post some pics, we love pics of our parrots.

 

[carolflan]

Hi, I'm new to this site, I just joined. I'm not really sure on what I am doing, lol. I am a new owner of a 20 week old Galah I don't know if it's M or F but I keep saying him...His name is Kookie, and is so tame & friendly, he's my first Galah, I previously had a fantastic African grey. I wanted to ask other owners a couple of questions, when Kookie is out and on my lap, he makes a very soft squeaking type of noise, does anybody know what it means? He isn't worried or anything...also, sometimes he does like a soft hissing noise too, he isn't anxious or anything when out, he's very relaxed and happy. Thanks in advance

The soft squeaking noise is a noise they use when they're asking the parents for food try him on some soft warm foods .the hissing is because he's afraid and warning you .

Sent from my SM-T560 using Tapatalk

 

[LordTriggs]

Hello there

the squeaking is asking for food/attention from you from what I can tell

the hiss is a fear based thing/feeling threatened. A large part of that is getting used to you

Dare I say yet another Brit has joined us? We all seem to be coming out of the woodwork!

 

[plumsmum2005]

If you watch the tail when he is 'hissing' you will get the message. Occurs when they are not too happy about something, maybe just needs some reassurance from you?

Welcome to you and Kookie. Gotta ask for pics!

Yay more Brits.

 

[LondonLady]

Thank you for your replies...Regarding the hissing noise, he doesn't seem afraid when he's doing it, but I am new to him I've only had him 4 days...I'm so glad I found this site, I know there's info out there on the web, but you can't beat asking owners direct about their Galahs. I will add pictures of Kookie when I've figured out what I'm doing, lol.

 

[plumsmum2005]

some links

http://www.parrotforums.com/technical-support/6287-how-post-pictures.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/new-mem...friendly-warnings-keep-your-parrots-safe.html

 

[StChelle]

Welcome! There is some great advice and people on this forum!

 

[Scott]

Welcome to you and Kookie, thanks for joining!!

So many personality differences between a galah and grey! But enough similarity to ease the transition to a new species. Looking forward to pictures and learning more about Kookie.

 

[Laylatoo]

Welcome! I have a new 23 week old Galah as well (and a 3 year old). My Jazzi also makes the little squeak. It's just a sweet baby noise asking for attention. If it's non stop than it would be more of a plead for a comfort feed or hunger. My past small cockatoo did the same and quickly grew out of the noise. Is the hissing noise like a light puff sound or an actual hiss. My cockatoos both do a puff sound when content. My older girl will puff and whisper.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Plum does a 'phuff' noise and the youngster I look after does it too. Take it to mean something displeasing with these two boys. Aren't they funny?

 

[LondonLady]

Hi, thanks for the replies...The hissing sound is like a puff sound. I appreciate everyone response

 

[Jayyj]

Alice uses a puffing noise like letting off steam to court attention, particularly when she's interested in a new person but she does it with me every now and then, usually when she wants fusing over. It's definitely a positive sound from her.

 

[LondonLady]

Hello again, can someone tell me why Kookie has decided to start biting me? His confidence has really risen since we bought him just over a week ago. He is out of his cage a lot, and has the freedom of our living room, so he's getting lots of exercise and he has plenty of things to chew on. I know he's attached to me more than my husband, because it is always me he wants. But all of a sudden he has started biting me, I haven't a clue why? I'm not sure what to do when he does it, I've been putting him back in his cage when he's bitten me, I'm looking for advice on the best way to tackle this. Thank you

 

[LordTriggs]

well there could be any reason. attention, scared, playing, hungry, tired, bored ETC.

you need to go a little sherlock holmes with her to find out what it is. Just remember that it's never her fault she bit, something made her

IMO the cage isn't good for a time-out, she could end up biting whenever she wants to go to her room and play there. I prefer using the floor for timeout and just shunning them, they learn real quick and come back apolagetically

 

[LondonLady]

Thank you LordTriggs. He does it mainly when he is playing with me. I think maybe I'm over thinking things really, just worrying I'm doing something wrong. I'll take it on board about not putting him back in his cage when he does it, thank you! I had my Dylan, my African Grey for 23 years and starting from scratch again is a bit nerve wracking for me. Thanks again

 

[LordTriggs]

Thank you LordTriggs. He does it mainly when he is playing with me. I think maybe I'm over thinking things really, just worrying I'm doing something wrong. I'll take it on board about not putting him back in his cage when he does it, thank you! I had my Dylan, my African Grey for 23 years and starting from scratch again is a bit nerve wracking for me. Thanks again

yeah can definitely be nerve wracking. Sounds to me like she's not quite aware of her strength yet and getting a little over-excited. Not the worst thing going. Just make sure to train her biting, let her know when she does it too hard, she'll figure out that too much pressure means play time stops and what bird wants play time to stop

 

[Laylatoo]

He's testing his limits. Just like a toddler would. Your job is to teach him. He will bite. Bite is a sort of play. He needs to know what bite pressure is a no go with human skin. Search bite pressure training on the forums. I believe there is some good information.

 

[LondonLady]

Thank you LordTriggs, I feel a lot better about it now! And thank you Laylatoo, I will have a look.

 

[Jayyj]

It sounds like beaking rather than biting which is a galah specialty. Biting comes with a lunge, beaking is more of a grab and squeeze, and it's basically an impulse to respond to anything interesting by having a nibble. Bite pressure training is really important in this respect - you have to get the bird used to the idea that it's ok to grab hold of a finger or ear lobe (Alice loves to go for my nose as well) if she's gentle, but not to apply force so that it hurts. It's actually pretty easy - the way that worked for me whenever Alice grabbed my finger and started squeezing I'd work my thumb onto the top of her beak so I had a gentle grip on her beak and say 'no bite', then take my thumb off as soon as she eased her grip. She still forgets every so often but she stops as soon as I say 'no bite' nowadays, no need to use my thumb.