The Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) is a common medium-sized Australian bird. It is also known as the Rose-Breasted Cockatoo or the Pink-and-Grey Cockatoo.

The Galah has distinctive pink and grey feathers. Its back is pale-silver to mid-grey. Its rump is grey. It has a pink face and chest, and a light-pink crest. Its beak is beige and its legs are grey. Males and females look similar, except that the male has dark-brown eyes, whereas the female has mid-brown or red eyes.

Galah

It measures about 35 centimetres (14 inches) tall.

The Galah is native to Australia. It is widespread across the country, but it prefers open country, rather than very dry regions or very wet tropical regions.

It eats seeds on the ground in open grassy areas. Its predators include eagles and falcons.

It is seen in flocks and pairs. It is a social bird.

The Galah is monogamous, forming a pair for life. It nests in tree cavities. The female lays 2-5 white eggs, which hatch after about 25 days. Both the male and female sit on the eggs and look after the chicks. The chicks leave the nest about 49 days after hatching.

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM