I met a Galah

[CallieCadmoor]

Today I went to the pet shop to buy Eros his food. I hurried in, trying my best to not look at all the animals as I always want to save them all. The shop assistant stopped me so we could chat about my school as she matriculated two years ago.

I of course got distracted by the toys as they are so pretty albeit impractical. I was on my way out when I couldn't help but look at the one enclosure. Now this shop has really big areas they keep the baby/ young birds in. They are well socialised with other bird species.

Now, as I glanced over, I made eye contact with this Galah. We both sort of froze and then he raised his crest with a whistle. Immediately I went over and began chatting to him. He spoke a little but I couldn't make out the words. He was in there with another Galah and two lovebirds. I put my arm in and he immediately hopped onto it, shimmied up to my shoulder and started to chatter away to me. Ive never had such a big bird sit on me (except for a falcon and owl).I couldn't get him off! Eventually I asked him to step up (and he complied grudgingly). I ran out to call my mom from the parking lot so she could come see. As soon as he saw me coming back he chirped and began to dance shuffle while his wings vibrated. The other Galah paid me no heed. This guy though eagerly hopped back on my arm and showed off to the other birds around us.

I just can't get him out of my head. I have always thought about getting another bird (a small one like a lovie) but only MUUUCH later. But this guy I just felt a click. The same as when I met Eros for the first time. And he was so comfortable and chatted to the other two lovebirds there no problem.

There are two problems though... I live at home with my family and they have begged NO MORE PETS. At least until I leave after school. And the second is that I wanted to rescue, not support animal sales at pet shops. (I haven't been able to find any bird rescues where I live at all...)

So here I am now. It is a dream but I just wanted some birdie people to rant to.
Thanks for reading

 

[sunnysmom]

I love Galahs. Lucky you to get to interact with one. (He was in a cage with lovebirds.........? )

 

[CallieCadmoor]

I love Galahs. Lucky you to get to interact with one. (He was in a cage with lovebirds.........? )

It's more of an enclosure than a cage. A really big square with glass walls, no top and loads of natural climbing perches. The petshop keeps the birds together when they're young to get them used to each other. They monitor them all the time and if there is an altercation, they move the birds to a cage nearby so they are still by the others but not in range for a fight. The lovies were running in circles around the Galahs and the big guys just ate their food and wandered around (while "my" Galah hung out on me)

 

[Aubrey]

Awwww! Those toos suck you in! That's why they are known as love sponges.

They are irresistible though

 

[CallieCadmoor]

Awwww! Those toos suck you in! That's why they are known as love sponges.

They are irresistible though

I've spent the whole afternoon researching them. Such wonderful birds!

 

[Tiel Feathers]

Sounds like you met a special little bird! Galahs are so cute. I would recommend that you do not seriously consider this bird, however, because his behavior will change, and it sounds like your living situation will change at some point too. My advice is to listen to your parents. Doesn't hurt to dream though, and maybe someday you can find one that needs a forever home!

 

[jmfleish]

Are you sure he is a male? I currently have two male siblings from the same clutch who share a cage with one another. They will be seven in April. One I have had since he was 5 months old (Kishka) and he was a fantastic bird, everything I could have ever wanted until he turned four. The other one, we took in as a rehome about two or three years ago (Fozzie Bear). They are stunning and can be the sweetest birds ever, but the boys can also be incredibly hormonal and can try your patience and your skin. Both of these boys can and will change their personalities on the drop of a dime and turn into vampires who will fly at you and will do nothing to stop at getting your jugular. I've worked with a lot of birds in the past and these two can really be scary when they get in their moods. I am very, very careful when I let them out and I only let them out one at a time. I keep my eye on them and them only the whole time. I cannot even begin to tell you how careful I am with them. I have a female who will be 3 in April who came from the same breeder and she's my little peanut and loves me with all her heart but she does not like my S/O and loves to irritate him and will dive bomb him and bite him. I also have a breeding pair who are in their teens who are wonderful. I've thought about breeding them but I just don't know if I want these birds out in the pet industry. They are very special and really need someone who can understand them. They are hyper vigilant little guys and every sound can really get them going into screaming fests or even scare them. My youngest gets really freaked out if she hears noises on TV that she doesn't recognize. The two pet boys get really wound up Jon and I speak too loudly in a conversation. I love them but they are not a pet for everyone and I think the females make better pets than the males and even then it can be a crap shoot as they seem to be really good at being one person birds and they are loyal to their person but can be very mean to everyone else. Just some things to think about.

 

[camelotshadow]

Aaarrrhhh. They are so cute but toos are allot of bird n living at home n young. If things change n you need parents to care for this bitd for awhile might be quite challenging.
Gosh it sounds so cute but as said when they mature its a different bird. Hope u get some good galah advice but my rec would also be to resist the urge as in a few years it might be more than you can handle.

 

[CallieCadmoor]

I think I didn't express myself properly
I don't plan on getting this guy. I know that unless my parents said otherwise, I can't bring in who I want as it is their home. I just thought what an amazing creature. It was just me expressing how sweet he was being.

@jmfleish I have no idea if he is male... I'm so used to Eros that I revert back to male pronouns unless I know for sure that the darling is a she they are juveniles and I didn't know their eyes were different colours so didn't check

I have heard of personality changes. I don't know if Eros has hit the BIG change or not but he has changed considerably from when I got him last year March. But even though he tries my patience or is a little brat (who happens to finally eat his Chop properly yay!!!!!!), he makes my life. His quirks are amazing even when he's trying to show my hairbrush (while it's in my hand) who the boss is

 

[jmfleish]

Not all birds go through a major change when they hit hormones...'toos tend to be trickier, especially males, but sometimes you can see it in the females too. I have Ekkie boys and greys whom I've never had a problem with at all. I had problems with my male D2 from about four to about 12 and then he mellowed out but he was really easy to read and I knew exactly when he was thinking to attack me and it was easy to avoid it. With Kishka and Fozzie, I just cannot read them. They are seriously like Dr. Jekel and Mr. Hyde. Having said that, I love them with every fiber of my being and then some and seeing how sweet my male breeder, Leo, is and knowing that Reggie finally calmed down, I'm really hoping that Fozzie and Kishka will calm down eventually as well. Kishka really is my heart bird. It breaks my heart to know that I can't trust him the way I once did. Saying all of this, I still am absolutely in love with the species! Here are some pics of the little monsters! Mostly Kishka...

Silly bird, Kishka somehow managed to get a veggie holder around his neck! This was when he was really little.


Another of Kish...he was so cute! Still is, it's just that now I know his monster side!


Kishka again...


Reggie D2 and Kishie


Kishka fake showering in the sink


Kiska eating/playing with brussles sprouts


Kiska actually eating brussles sprouts


Addison my little peanut at the vet


Fozzwald and Addison



Kishka and Addison opening up a present from Auntie Danita

 

[CallieCadmoor]

Not all birds go through a major change when they hit hormones...'toos tend to be trickier, especially males, but sometimes you can see it in the females too. I have Ekkie boys and greys whom I've never had a problem with at all. I had problems with my male D2 from about four to about 12 and then he mellowed out but he was really easy to read and I knew exactly when he was thinking to attack me and it was easy to avoid it. With Kishka and Fozzie, I just cannot read them. They are seriously like Dr. Jekel and Mr. Hyde. Having said that, I love them with every fiber of my being and then some and seeing how sweet my male breeder, Leo, is and knowing that Reggie finally calmed down, I'm really hoping that Fozzie and Kishka will calm down eventually as well. Kishka really is my heart bird. It breaks my heart to know that I can't trust him the way I once did. Saying all of this, I still am absolutely in love with the species! Here are some pics of the little monsters! Mostly Kishka...

Silly bird, Kishka somehow managed to get a veggie holder around his neck! This was when he was really little.
View attachment 242135

Another of Kish...he was so cute! Still is, it's just that now I know his monster side!
View attachment 242136

Kishka again...
View attachment 242137

Reggie D2 and Kishie
View attachment 242138

Kishka fake showering in the sink
View attachment 242139

Kiska eating/playing with brussles sprouts
View attachment 242140

Kiska actually eating brussles sprouts
View attachment 242141

Addison my little peanut at the vet
View attachment 242142

Fozzwald and Addison
View attachment 242143


Kishka and Addison opening up a present from Auntie Danita
View attachment 242144

Awww I love these pictures!! They are all so cute! And I hope those two do settle down! I couldn't be grumpy for long when they've got faces like that.
And thank you so much for all the info. As nice as websites are, I love hearing about first hand experiences

 

[jmfleish]

Awww I love these pictures!! They are all so cute! And I hope those two do settle down! I couldn't be grumpy for long when they've got faces like that.
And thank you so much for all the info. As nice as websites are, I love hearing about first hand experiences

Well, they aren't so cute when they are attached to the back of your neck and won't let go! I've never had a bird deliberately go for the back of my neck like that and they both do it...darn vampires! They like ears too...ugh! But yep, it's hard to be mad at them and OMG! They will melt you with cage bars between you and them...they talk constantly and love scritches from their cage! You just have to be VERY CAREFUL when you let them out!

 

[SpecialistElbru]

I am adding my voice to those here that are asking you to wait. I know that it can be hard when you find a bird that seems to click. I"m guessing that the bird in the store was a young one, and they seam to be less picky about who they interact with.

You really need to get out of your parents and get settled in some form of self sufficiency. When/if you find a life partner then he will also need to know about your desire for a cockatoo. The three of you will need to come to an understanding. Re-homing/divorce can be a result of a bad relationship with a cockatoo.

Once things are more stable you can try a bird rescue organization. It works well because you can get to know the bird over the course of a few visits.

 

[Aubrey]

@jmfleish your galah pics are fantastic! I like the fake showering one best

 

[Lady Jane]

Beautiful birds Jen. I wish I could spend a day in your home with all those fids.

 

[CallieCadmoor]

I am adding my voice to those here that are asking you to wait. I know that it can be hard when you find a bird that seems to click. I"m guessing that the bird in the store was a young one, and they seam to be less picky about who they interact with.

You really need to get out of your parents and get settled in some form of self sufficiency. When/if you find a life partner then he will also need to know about your desire for a cockatoo. The three of you will need to come to an understanding. Re-homing/divorce can be a result of a bad relationship with a cockatoo.

Once things are more stable you can try a bird rescue organization. It works well because you can get to know the bird over the course of a few visits.

I know, I don't want another bird, just ranting about how we clicked at the wrong time. And he was picky, ran to the opposite side of the enclosure whenever someone else walked passed to be away from them. Didn't do it for my mom either.

And I am not worried about finding a life partner. Got him and been together for four years now. He LOVES animals. Even though lovebirds are generally one person birds, Eros adores him. He has a bird of his own too. Can't let a guy like that get away I've never wanted a cockatoo. I've always been intimated by them and have always had a love for smaller birds anyway. This Galah just changed my mind about them, making me want to look into them later on in life.

Still hoping to find such an organisation. Been looking for 7 months and still haven't found a place. not going to give up though