Galah Nesting: A Complete Guide

Gala (red flower embroidery hydrangea) are commonplace in Australian urban and rural landscapes, with their distinctive pink and gray plumage and bold dispositions, foraging in noisy flocks and making their presence known to landowners.

These common cockatoos are cavity nesters, laying eggs and raising young in hollows deep in tree trunks.

We’ll take a look at early hatch breeding habits, site selection and timetables in our galah nesting guide, so read on if you want to find out more.

nest location

Where do Galahs nest?

Galahs are cave nesters, which means they build nests in tree hollows, spaces between rock crevices, and occasionally in specialized nest boxes designed specifically for breeding galahs.

Nesting sites can be between 2 and 20 m (6.5 and 65.5 ft) above the ground and at least 10 m (33 ft) from other burrows.

Do Galahs nest in the same place every year?

Over 90 species of Australian birds lay their eggs in tree cavities, so suitable sites are highly sought after and competition is fierce.

Once they have found a burrow that fits their approval, a pair of Gala parrots will eagerly protect it from other birds, animals and even reptiles, as they may wish to use it to raise their young, and each breed The seasons all come back to the same place.

A Galah perched outside their nest

Nest Appearance

What does a Galah nest look like?

Existing cavities in decaying trunks provide gallas with preferred nesting sites. These cavities are then lined with a thick bed of twigs and leaves on which the eggs are laid. Occasionally a nest box can also be used, providing a large safe shelter in which Gala pairs can raise their young.

How big is Galah’s lair?

The nest cavity used by galahs can be anything from a fairly narrow 16 cm to a 7 m deep (6 in to 23 ft) burrow, depending on what the mating pair can find. Established holes are preferred, other parrot species may be outrun by a pair of Galas intending to claim the ideal site.

Internally, the cavities vary widely in size, with some cavities being very crowded for both adults. The advantage of using a smaller nesting cavity is that the internal temperature remains relatively constant, never too hot or too cold for the chicks.

Galah perches in its lair

phenology

What time of year do Galahs nest?

Nesting times for Gala parrots vary by geographic location, with weather and climate being the main factors affecting when paired eggs are laid. During periods of heavy rain, nesting will be delayed until the weather is more stable.

For most Gala populations, nesting begins as early as late July and may not be complete until mid-November. Every year some of the newest clutches are placed in September.

In populations in the extreme north, nesting times vary, with spawning occurring between February and June.

How long do Galahs nest?

For most galah populations, nest building begins in July when two to six eggs are laid, with a new egg being added to the nest every two to three days. The eggs are incubated alternately by female and male gala for 22 to 26 days.

The chicks are fed by both parents in the nest for 45 to 59 days, by which time the chicks are ready to start developing their wings.

Once baby Galas leave the nest, they will continue to be supported and fed by their parents and other flock members for several weeks until the chicks are able to fend for themselves.

In what month do Galahs lay eggs?

The most common spawning time for galahs is between August and September. Some birds may start laying eggs as early as late July, with the latest clutches reported in November.

In the northern part of their range, this time frame is reversed, with nesting occurring between February and June.

A breeding pair of Galahs groom each other in affectionate fashion outside the den

nest

How do Galahs build their nests?

Galahs seek out naturally formed cavities to make their homes in, and will compete with other birds for cavities in decaying tree trunks caused by termites or fungus. These holes are then lined with leaves or fresh shoots from the new growth of the eucalyptus.

Where additional work or modifications are needed, galahs will use their beaks to carve out cavities in the wood until it is habitable.

Before establishing a nest, galah pairs will chew on any twigs near the burrow entrance and strip all leaves and foliage from selected trees.

Galahs repeatedly rub the openings with their beaks and feathers, sometimes wiping the tree’s surface with chewed eucalyptus leaves.

After a while, the trunk around the hole becomes slick and slick, preventing snakes, lizards, and other small intruders from grabbing enough to get in and attack the nest.

A pair of Galahs inspecting the den

Egg

What do Galah eggs look like?

Like the eggs of many cave-nesting birds, galla birds’ eggs are white with no spots, spots, or stripes. Lay 2 to 6 eggs (4 or 5 are most common) measuring 3.6 x 2.5 cm (1.4 x 1 in).

Do male Galahs sit on eggs?

The male gala takes turns incubating the eggs with the female, nurturing the young and providing food to the chicks in the first few days after hatching. Females undertake the overnight incubation task, but during the day, the task is shared by females. Once the chicks leave the nest, the male and female galas continue to feed the chicks together for about 2 to 3 weeks after eclosion.

Galahs gather nesting material and line the hollow

fledgling and parental care

When do Galahs babies leave the nest?

Baby Galas leave the nest between 45 and 59 days, with an average of 49 days after hatching. Chicks hatch asynchronously, with the first chicks to hatch ready to feather before their younger nestmates.

After leaving the nest, young Galas typically spend time with other chicks in what is called a communal “nursery” setting, initially supported by their parents for 2 to 3 weeks.

Gradually, the newly independent chicks form their own flocks in the company of unmated older Galas.

How many descendants do the Galahs have?

It is typical for a pair of Gallas to have only one litter per year. If one brood fails, a second brood can be tried, but due to the lengthy process of raising chickens, it is unlikely that Gala will successfully hatch multiple chicks in the same year.

A young Galah chick begging for food

common problem

Will the Galahs abandon their lair?

Gala antelopes are likely to abandon their dens if disturbed by opportunistic predators. If this unfortunate event occurs early enough in the breeding season, a second litter may be born.

Do Galahs Nest in Backyards?

If the backyard has the right conditions, including eucalyptus trees, feeding grounds, and a nearby water source, there’s no reason for a Gala not to live there.

Specially designed galla nest boxes that can also be secured to trees, out of direct sunlight and at least 5 meters (16 feet) off the ground, may be successful in attracting galla birds to nest in your yard.

Do Galahs use nest boxes?

If it proves impossible to have a natural cavity, breeding Gala parrots can utilize purpose-built parrot nest boxes, provided they are properly positioned and provide a large enough interior space for the chicks.

To attract nesting galas, the box needs to have an opening of approximately 16 cm (6 in) with a depth of at least 70 cm (28 in) and a width of at least 35 cm (14 in).

Galahs will treat the artificial nest box in a manner similar to their natural cavity, adding a cozy liner of fresh eucalyptus buds as the bed in which they lay their eggs.

Galah outside the nest box

What trees do Galahs nest in?

Eucalyptus is by far the most common tree species bred for nesting. The bark is stripped and used as basic nest lining, along with new leaves and soft shoots from branches.

Do Galahs nest on the ground?

Galahs look for safe, sheltered burrows to lay their eggs in, most of the time these burrows are natural cavities in tree trunks. In the absence of natural burrows, galahs may resort to using artificial nest boxes, cracks or crevices between rocks, tunnels in cliff faces, or even vertical concrete pipes.

Galas do not usually nest on or near the ground, usually choosing a nesting site at least 2 meters (6.5 feet) above the ground.

Where do Galahs nest at night?

During the breeding season, galahs spend the night in their nest cavities. Outside of this time, large flocks spend the night on the branches of eucalyptus trees.