Galah Cacatua rosiecapilla
What do they look like ? Galahs need little introduction – striking pink and grey cockatoos about 35 cm long , usually seen in flocks . One of the most beautiful parrots in Australia .
Where do they live ? Galahs are common across the region , except in the wettest areas and dense forests . Their favoured habitats are open grasslands , lightly timbered country and cropping land . Galahs are often considered pests by farmers . They have expanded into coastal areas as a result of human activities .
What do they need to live , eat and breed ? Galahs are primarily granivores ( seed eaters ) but also feed on roots and stems of low-growing herbs and grasses . They nest in tree hollows . In inland parts , Galahs will become nomadic ( travel to follow rainfall ) if conditions become unfavourable .
When might I see ( or hear ) them ? Any time of day , especially around bores and other water points , homesteads , cattle yards , grain storage areas and suburbs . Flocks of Galahs have a noisy , metallic screech .
What management actions affect this species ? Galahs are ‘ disturbance increasers ’ - increasing in numbers with clearing , cropping and urbanisation . Proliferation of species such as Galahs indicates high levels of alteration of the natural landscape and is indicative of a decrease in overall bird diversity . Historically , they were rare or absent from coastal areas where our major cities now stand . Now , however , they are among the most common species .
How do they benefit the land I manage ? Galahs are destructive eaters , digging into the ground to pull up herb and grass roots . This might help water infiltration , but also removes grass cover and allows weedy , fast-growing species to perpetuate , creating a negative feedback loop . Galahs create conditions that help support the weedy species which are their preferred food .
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