Cockatoos, galahs know their onions

Galahs in Canbarra enjoying the onion weed feest. Image by BartoCanberra is now in the midst of an annual phenomenon when large flocks of cockatoos and galahs congregate, usually by roadsides, looking very intent at pulling something tasty out of the ground.

It's onion weed (Nothoscordum inodorum) they're after, confirmed Canberra Ornithologists Group president Chris Davey, adding they do their best to get the weed out while it's flourishing.

''The birds do seem particularly hungry this year. I don't know what it is about the year,'' he said.

And this may be a good time for a friendly reminder to motorists to be careful driving near the flocks.