Photo by Jamieleigh Location: Sagle, ID "BEFORE" photo: Galah "Ace"

Photo by Dave Location: Coney Island, NY "AFTER" photo: Galah "Ace" 

Have a hard time seeing that these two photos are of the SAME bird? This is Ace, he is Bandit's brother, and is a two year old (ish) rose breasted cockatoo.

And the only difference in these pictures is the "before" photo is before this bird never saw sunlight or was in it, and the after photo is the difference that plain, old fashioned SUNSHINE makes for a bird. Look at his eyes! Look at his feathers! Look at everything about him! What a difference! And the only difference was that he was able to be OUTSIDE, in the SUN.

We adopted him from our friends who used to own him, but realized he was a bit more than they were prepared for. We took him in, and my main goal with him was to offer him real sunshine that he never ever had before. Bandit's eyes were very red compared to Ace's white ones, and we could always easily tell the two apart because of it. 

Now, after about 8 months of touring with us and 9 months of living with us, and definitely 3 straight months of outdoor time (along with spattered time outside while touring from city to city only being in once place for one week at a time or less) his eyes are just as red as Bandit's and we couldn't be more proud.

Nothing else could do this for Ace aside from real sunlight.

If you have a MALE rose breasted cockatoo (galah) and his eyes are like the first picture of Ace (BEFORE) then your bird is NOT getting enough sunlight. Male galahs are supposed to have red around their eyes like the "AFTER" image in this post. 

It is SO important, I can't even say it enough! Birds NEED real sunlight. You HAVE to have an outdoor aviary for your bird. It's not right not to, they belong outside in the sunshine. Even if you can't keep your bird outside year round, do what you can, it's best for their health and overall happiness. Ever notice how wild birds sing the morning? It's because they're happy, so give your bird the same opportunity. Birds belong outside and they need sunshine, sunlight, real true fresh air as often as possible.

Article by Jamieleigh Womach. She has been working with parrots and toucans since the age of 17. She isn’t homeless but is home less than she prefers to be. She travels the world with her husband, daughter, and a flockful of parrots whom she shares the stage with.