Galahs, also known as Rose-breasted Cockatoos, are medium-sized cockatoos native to Australia. They have grey feathers with pale pink underparts and a distinctive bright pink face and crest. Galahs are popular as pets around the world due to their intelligence, affectionate nature, and ability to mimic speech. However, galahs are not commonly found as pets in America and can be quite costly to purchase and care for properly.
Availability of Galahs in the US
Galahs are not native to the United States and there are very few breeders that produce these birds domestically. Most pet galahs in America are imported from breeders in Australia or Europe. Import regulations, quarantine costs, and limited availability make galahs much rarer and more expensive for American buyers compared to native parrot species like conures, cockatiels, or Amazons.
There are less than a dozen specialized breeders of galahs in the United States. Many of them only breed a dozen or fewer galahs per year. Large scale breeding of galahs, as is done with other parrot species, is uncommon. This limits supply and availability of galahs for the exotic pet trade.
Cost of Purchasing a Galah
The purchase price for a pet galah in the United States ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 on average. Some rare color mutations, like albinos, can cost up to $5,000. By comparison, more common parrot species like cockatiels or green cheek conures typically cost between $100-$400.
Factors impacting the purchase price of a galah include:
- Age – younger birds under 1 year old cost more
- Color mutation – albino or lutino mutations are rare and expensive
- Source – locally bred birds are cheaper than imports
- Lineage – pet vs aviary bred birds
- Training – hand-raised, tame birds cost more
Budget at least $1,500 to purchase a hand-raised, tame pet quality galah from a reputable breeder. Imports often cost $2,000 to $3,000 or more.
Costs of Caring for a Galah
In addition to the upfront cost of purchasing a galah, owners need to be prepared for the ongoing expenses of properly caring for one of these long-lived parrots, which include:
- Cage – A suitable cage for a galah will cost $500-$1000.
- Toys – Galahs are very active and intelligent. They require lots of enrichment toys. Budget $50-$100 per month.
- Food – A high quality pelleted diet, supplements, treats and fresh foods will cost $40-$60 per month.
- Vet care – Annual exams, vaccines, bloodwork and emergency visits average $200-$500 per year.
- Other supplies – Perches, travel carrier, grooming tools, etc will cost $200-$300.
The average monthly cost of properly caring for a pet galah is $150-$250. Over the bird’s 50+ year lifespan, costs can easily exceed $100,000.
Average Costs of Owning a Galah
Expense | Cost |
---|---|
Purchase Price | $1,000 – $3,000 |
Cage | $500 – $1,000 |
Toys | $50 – $100 monthly |
Food | $40 – $60 monthly |
Vet Care | $200 – $500 annually |
Other Supplies | $200 – $300 initially |
Permit and License Requirements
Depending on where you live, permits or licenses may be required to legally own a galah in the United States. Here are some key things to be aware of:
- Most states do not require any special permit or license to own a galah. However, some cities or municipalities may have restrictions.
- Imported galahs require a permit from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to enter the country legally.
- Some states require either a permit or veterinary health certificate for birds brought in from out of state.
- Hawaii has strict regulations for imported birds due to concerns about avian diseases. Galah owners planning to move to Hawaii need to plan well in advance.
Be sure to research all state and local laws thoroughly before committing to purchase a galah. Though beautiful, affectionate, and intelligent, they are a much more demanding exotic pet than typical parakeets or cockatiels.
Where to Buy a Galah in the US
Reputable options for purchasing a pet galah in America include:
- Specialized breeders – There are less than a dozen U.S. based galah breeders. Do extensive research to find one with a good reputation.
- Bird shops or animal auctions – These sometimes have galahs from breeders or aviaries available for resale. Exercise caution.
- Online bird sale websites – Sites like Birdtrader.com sometimes have galahs listed, but beware of scams on sites like these.
- Exotic bird conventions – Events like The Exotic Bird Expo in California periodically have vendors selling galahs.
Never purchase a galah from a pet store or unknown online seller, as they are likely to be wild-caught or illegally smuggled into the country. Only buy from reputable specialists committed to captive breeding, hand-raising, and preparing pet birds.
Conclusion
Galahs are a rare and expensive exotic pet for owners in the United States. Between the purchase price, permits, and proper lifetime care, buyers should budget $5,000-$10,000 or more for a pet galah. While beautiful and fun birds, they require an extreme commitment. Galahs are not a casual pet purchase, and need highly knowledgeable owners able to provide for their specialized needs.