WHETHER they’re hanging out upside-down or playing soccer with pebbles on the ground, you’ll see plenty of comical activities from the region’s galah population at the moment.
While often associated with noisy flocks, galahs will be spending more time in pairs playing the goofy, loved-up parent around this time of year as they prepare for the breeding season, Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife CEO Susanna Bradshaw said.
“The galah is a household name to most Australians. Whether you’re using the word ‘galah’ to describe someone being foolish or you’re chuckling at our favourite pink bird’s crazy antics, make sure to give the words ‘Flamin’ Galah!’ a good work-out this month,” she said.
“Galahs are actually a lot like humans in many ways – they belong to very complex social groups that change over time.
“When a beloved, life-long mate passes away, they are often observed in stages of grief and can slip into depression.”
Ms Bradshaw said the eye-catching bird, who live in dry, arid parts of Australia, could have developed their highly social, human-like personalities by entertaining each other as they willed away the long, hot hours sheltering in the shade of large trees.
“Similar to humans, this pretty-in-pink parrot will often mate for life and both parents will take turns raising their babies,” she said.
“When the kids grow up they also have the same habit of occasionally sticking around the family home too long, resulting in some cunning parenting tactics to encourage them into the big, wide world.”
The presence of galahs can annoy some crop farmers, but it was important to remember the birds pre-date humans and have had to adjust to land clearing of their homes and a change of diet to survive, Ms Bradshaw said.
