Male vs Female Galah

[moni.k]

So after much consideration, I have decided on a RB2 for my next flock member. A local breeder has a few eggs nesting and I get the first pick Which brings me to question male vs female. I know that RB2s are different from the larger white toos in personality and behavior. But I wanted to hear peoples experience with males and females. Since I do have the luxury of choosing, why not get some advice

Here's just a few of my concerns:
1. I know that 2s are loud and RB2 are no different, but is there a difference in the vocalization between male and females. (ie: territorial screams, mating calls, etc.)

2. Socialization: I have an eclectus who picks and chooses who she likes. She loves women but hates majority of men. For an RB2 is there more of a jealousy issue or socialization issue with males compared to females.

3. Energy: I wanted to go for a more energetic and affectionate bird, opposite of an eclectus. However, I know that with many toos they can get over excited and bite. Does this pertain to RB2? and if it does, like the larger toos is it the males that fall into this category?

I am pretty sure more questions will come up as I do more research. But I looked everywhere and couldn't find any information about the difference in personality, temperament and behavior of male vs female galahs. Any advice and additional facts and information will be much appreciated. Ahh, so excited!! Can't wait until those eggs hatch and I can visit them.

 

[OOwl]

I have a ten-year-old male RB2. He's not loud as a general rule. He has a couple of loud "hiccup" type vocalizations that make you shake your head to get your hearing back, but, fortunately, he saves those for fighting with his bell, and that only happens for a short period of time. We've always ignored that sound and praised the good sounds, like talking, and he ended up talking even better than my African Grey (they're cage neighbors, both boys). But, as far as parrots go, mine isn't loud and his calls aren't annoying. I've read posts to the contrary, so I'm just going to count my lucky stars I got a quiet one.

As far as socialization, my guy is so social and agreeable to strangers that I can literally hand him to ANYone. He doesn't discriminate and likes everyone equally. He is a parrot that allows everyone in my family to hold and interact with him, including relatives that come by infrequently. I use this parrot to take to rehab facilities (we have a family member that has spent considerable time in such hospitals, and I would take the bird to visit, which turned into such a wonderful experience, both for us and for the bird, who LOVED the attention). I have no idea if they're all this social or not, but I just love sharing him with people, especially people working hard to get better. He's helped so many people get over depression from debilitating illness/injury. It's very rewarding to me to share my parrot with others in this way. I hope you get a social one, as well.

Mine isn't too hyper but he is a major wood chewer! He goes through a toy a DAY (rarely he takes a day off). Thankfully we have a table saw and standing drill press and make his toys. He doesn't even require them to be dyed. He just wants pine and lots of it. He chips it like he's getting paid to do it. Right after breakfast he goes right to work on the day's new toy. When my guy was a adolescent, he went through a nippy stage. Now he never bites, and if he nips, it's not even enough to draw blood. Mine behaves much like a cockatiel in temperament (he really does!). He loves to have his head scratched and will very rarely cuddle when the mood strikes him, but he's certainly not like the "velcro" type white cockatoos one meets and hears about.

I haven't really known too many female RB2s. When I got mine, he only had two other clutch mates, also male. All I have known is what I've read. I just worry about egg binding with ANY female parrot, so I wanted a male to avoid that. In ten years, this particular parrot has show zero hormonal behavior. I'm quite certain that is not the norm, but, again, I'm just going to consider myself very, very fortunate.

RB2s to me are the almost perfect pet parrot.

Kudos to you for asking questions before you choose your bird. Can't wait to read about what you get. Good luck!

 

[Thingamagigs]

In RB2s, behaviour depends a lot on the parent birds rather than the sex of the bird They are very even in temperament.
But there are 'general' differences. If I was to recommend a sex, it would be female, just because they are more often than not less likely to have issues. Neither sex talk better than the other, neither are more affectionate, both have rather similar behaviour. Girls seem to be a bit smarter and more into experimenting (Mana discovered the other day she could use a water bottle lid to scoop up seed and eat it at leisure out of the lid held up to her face LOL).

1. My male RB2 was quiet as a mouse. He rarely vocalised, unless he heard another RB2. Then there was the odd happy dance, perhaps once a day.
My female RB2 is very vocal but she doesn't call to wild birds whatsoever. She makes sound most of the day (right now she is hanging upside down on her swing next to me, screaming her butt off LOL ouch my ears), whether it is calling to us when she is anxious or when we are in another room... or whether she is expressing herself vocally LOL She screams at her toys, she throws tantrums and she has silly fits of energy But she is a VERY outgoing galah, very energetic and demanding. And highly intelligent.
I don't think the difference was related to their sex, I think Mana may have assimilis blood (western australian subspecies), they are louder, more intelligent and more outgoing birds.
I am on a galah forum/list and from what I can gather, sex has nothing to do with noise levels... one lady has a boy and a girl, the boy talks all day long and is rather noisy, the female doesn't say a word or make a sound all day long. Personality is a better indication, an outgoing bird is perhaps a more energetic bird and prone to vocalising. My male was a reserved bird, he was calm and gentle. My female is a bossy boots, outgoing and in your face

2. Most galahs like most people most of the time LOL They are very outgoing and are normally very gentle with strangers, asthough they know this is someone knew that they must treat with caution.
There are exceptions, there is the odd bird who is too territorial and aggressive to like anyone much at all. But on the whole, there is rarely a parrot of this size who is so friendly and outgoing... not only with the entire family but with strangers as well. All galahs I have met have been happy to have a pat and scratch from a new person. Mana goes so far as to initiate wrestling as well. When it comes to their favourite person in the whole world, there can be slight issues but most of the time they are very easy to deal with. Males aggression can be more of a problem than a females aggression, thats why I recommend females first. However both can become a bit possessive. Its easily managed by not putting your bird in a situation it might feel it needs to separate you from a rival (if its cuddle time on the lounge with your partner, if your bird is possessive it might be a good time to put him/her away).

3. Yes. Definitely. But its really easy to tell when this might be. You learn fairly quickly. Most love to have a bit of a wrestle and that can end in a bite thats just too hard. Mana is a very excitable bird so its something we have to manage a lot. Cuddle time needs to be chosen according to her mood. If she is running around the floor attacking her toys, thats a bad time to choose cuddles lol Its definitely both males and females. But most common in younger birds... they tend to settle a little as they get older.

I guess in conclusion... there is pretty much no difference. Boys are more likely to bond with female owners, girls are more likely to bond with male owners. My female RB2 has bonded with my partner (male) who is not home most of the day. She is happy to spend the day with me and treats me like a "bro", she still cuddles and wrestles and talks to me. In fact I think my relationship is better with her this way, because she is a bit bossy with my partner, she demands to eat his food, she is angry with him for being away for the day LOL I call her his wife! LOL She chases him everywhere calling after him. Its very cute.

 

[Thingamagigs]

When my guy was a adolescent, he went through a nippy stage. Now he never bites, and if he nips, it's not even enough to draw blood. Mine behaves much like a cockatiel in temperament (he really does!). He loves to have his head scratched and will very rarely cuddle when the mood strikes him, but he's certainly not like the "velcro" type white cockatoos one meets and hears about.

RB2s to me are the almost perfect pet parrot.

These are the best points ever!! young galahs are excitable little devils, but they even out as they mature. Even their hormonal aggression (when they have it) is nothing much to worry about, compared to other species! Decrease daylight hours if you must, it works for most
Mana has bitten me hard once. It left two little indents, thats all. I dont think she could draw blood even if she meant to. Most of the time, she is "beaky", which is typical of a young RB2.

They are very like a big, clever, more physically active cockatiel (they love rolling around on the floor, on their back, with a toy). They are slightly more confident, however occasionally they will spook just like a cockatiel and you just have to roll your eyes at them LOL
They are very adaptable birds though and I recommend introducing them to everything and anything. Mana is afraid of very little in this world.

They are a very undemanding bird as well. Most are as happy to sit beside you doing their own thing as they are sitting on your shoulder or cuddling up to your neck.

 

[moni.k]

Hmm, no wonder there isn't a lot of information on the difference in personalities and behaviors between males and females. Gender really isn't a determining factor with RB2s which really makes me relieved.. haha. After reading your posts I really have learned a lot and I thank you for the information. I think with the information you have given, I am going to base my decision after I meet with the individual birds and choose one that will be best fitted for my lifestyle.

I feel a bit obsessed with this whole galah ordeal (in a good way). I just can't wait till it is late spring when I can bring my new baby home!!

Nalani has a perch but majority of the time loves to run around the house like a dog. I give her about an hour of undivided attention and the whole day to play with her toys on the perch. She is completely independent and requires very little interaction to make her happy. I have read that RB2s are of course less demanding that the larger toos. Online it states about 2 hours of interactive time. However, I really feel that it isn't reality. About how many hours a day do you give undivided attention and "independent" playtime outside of the cage?

 

[Thingamagigs]

I have always given my galahs free run of the bird proofed area the entire time I am home. But the entire day isnt necessary. But a couple of hours of independent out time per day would be fine, as long as they have heaps to do in their cage throughout the day.

As for undivided attention... I would probably give Mana a few minutes here and there throughout the day. So I might spend 10 minutes playing with her on her play mat, 10 minutes with scratches and cuddles here and there. I casually interact with her throughout the day... pretty similar to what a galah would experience with flock mates in the wild I guess . Some days she might not get a whole lot of undivided attention at all. She bonded with my partner, he only gives her 20 minutes of undivided attention per day when he gets home from work. I think its important to mix up their activities on a day to day basis so they easily adapt and dont get obsessed with a routine. Exposing them to new things and situations keeps them from being flighty like a cockatiel.

 

[RoseateToo]

I have also not noticed much of a difference between the sexes in those regards!

RB2s are big on beakiness as youngsters. Like, hugely into it. It's a turn off for a lot of unknowing people because they assume the bird is mean or a nippy species. However, they really do grow out of it with proper socialization and regular handling and the right discipline. My RB2 actually lived out this stage at the pet store I worked at, where she was out much of the day exposed to customers. Unfortunately we were always having to correct people about how they handled her, as there was a lot of the finger pointing in her face (why don't they understand that NO ONE would appreciate that??), beak tapping, stern words, etc. In this setting it was hard to instill one method of discipline during a crucial developmental stage and she handled it very impressively. Even with inexperienced people reacting improperly to her beakiness, she did not come away with aggression or nippy behavior. She has turned out beautifully, in fact, just shy of three years old. Very comfortable with all types of handling, very willing to step up, etc etc. I could go on and on but then it would turn into a gushing, bragging post haha.

I just really feel that you can't go wrong with an RB2 as you already have parrot experience. They are funny, smart, chatty, quiet and gentle birds.

 

[Jcatz]

I have a ten-year-old male RB2. He's not loud as a general rule. He has a couple of loud "hiccup" type vocalizations that make you shake your head to get your hearing back, but, fortunately, he saves those for fighting with his bell, and that only happens for a short period of time. We've always ignored that sound and praised the good sounds, like talking, and he ended up talking even better than my African Grey (they're cage neighbors, both boys). But, as far as parrots go, mine isn't loud and his calls aren't annoying. I've read posts to the contrary, so I'm just going to count my lucky stars I got a quiet one.

As far as socialization, my guy is so social and agreeable to strangers that I can literally hand him to ANYone. He doesn't discriminate and likes everyone equally. He is a parrot that allows everyone in my family to hold and interact with him, including relatives that come by infrequently. I use this parrot to take to rehab facilities (we have a family member that has spent considerable time in such hospitals, and I would take the bird to visit, which turned into such a wonderful experience, both for us and for the bird, who LOVED the attention). I have no idea if they're all this social or not, but I just love sharing him with people, especially people working hard to get better. He's helped so many people get over depression from debilitating illness/injury. It's very rewarding to me to share my parrot with others in this way. I hope you get a social one, as well.

Mine isn't too hyper but he is a major wood chewer! He goes through a toy a DAY (rarely he takes a day off). Thankfully we have a table saw and standing drill press and make his toys. He doesn't even require them to be dyed. He just wants pine and lots of it. He chips it like he's getting paid to do it. Right after breakfast he goes right to work on the day's new toy. When my guy was a adolescent, he went through a nippy stage. Now he never bites, and if he nips, it's not even enough to draw blood. Mine behaves much like a cockatiel in temperament (he really does!). He loves to have his head scratched and will very rarely cuddle when the mood strikes him, but he's certainly not like the "velcro" type white cockatoos one meets and hears about.

I haven't really known too many female RB2s. When I got mine, he only had two other clutch mates, also male. All I have known is what I've read. I just worry about egg binding with ANY female parrot, so I wanted a male to avoid that. In ten years, this particular parrot has show zero hormonal behavior. I'm quite certain that is not the norm, but, again, I'm just going to consider myself very, very fortunate.

RB2s to me are the almost perfect pet parrot.

Kudos to you for asking questions before you choose your bird. Can't wait to read about what you get. Good luck!

Hi, is your RB2 require attention all the time like an infant or will he go into cage and spend time. Like if you have to go somewhere? Do they always need a companion/ parrot or are they ok with you? I do have dogs and 1 cat but think the cat would be afraid of a RB2.