Taming questions

[Talven]

So I found someone who was going to tame up a young Galah for me. She is around 6 months old. This was about 10 - 12 days ago. I then contacted him yesterday to see where he was at with it to be told Sorry she was untamable so I sold her as an aviary bird. She was a wild trapped bird taken during one of the seasonal culls and tagged for sale. One of the lucky ones as the others are killed.

Now I'm pretty sure that this is a total lie. What do those who have had experience with taming wild/aviary birds think? Personally I call BS and say he just wanted to get rid of the bird.

Next question is how readily do young Galah's take to being tamed? I've been contacted by a local breeder who has a young hen that he describes as "semi-tame" but is in the aviary. I know some birds take to it better than others. I guess I'm asking for a difficulty scale here?

 

[Scott]

Forgive me for asking a naïve question: Apparently galahs in Australia are available wild caught (trapped) and via breeder. Would be interesting to learn which method better results in a tame bird.

I have no galah experience but can relate to the taming of wild caught adult Goffins. An even chance based on a sample of two:

Peanut (hen) and Popcorn are a wild caught proven pair separated as result of male aggression. Fighting typically escalates once initiated, so Peanut was removed for her safety. After a month of solitude, she seemed to signal curiosity so I began to work with her daily. Peanut rapidly tamed almost as keenly as her three offspring. She is actually a bit more even tempered, not bratty and has never bitten to break the skin. Only thing she will not do is willingly perch on a finger. I can "capture" her with a hug or she will climb on my shoulder. From there it is possible to transfer to finger or arm. Popcorn never indicated a willingness to tame, so I respect his independence and paired him with my slightly larger female Citron. (no nest box) I can hand feed him, stroke his head, but cannot hold.

 

[Talven]

Wild caught are 99% of any Galah or Sulphur Crested Cockatoos sold in Australia apparently. Only a very small portion are legally trapped and put up for sale. Of the trapped birds approx 50-60% have PBFD.

This might not be accurate as it was from a store that I would describe as a bird "farm" and they were trying to dissuade me from purchasing a Galah and buying one of their other types of birds. If it is accurate I'm glad I didn't get the trapped bird.

As for trapped vs bred taming up better I don't know. It would be hard to figure out as each bird is a different personality.

 

[Scott]

Terribly sad to see a high incidence of PBFD.

My guess is personality of individual is determinant. In my case, the taming began decades after wild capture, so instincts were dulled by years of captivity.