Moluccan Cockatoo

You must have seen the Moluccan cockatoo, a native bird from Indonesia. It is said to be endemic in and around the Indonesian archipelago. The scientific name is Cacatua moluccensis. It is an endangered species and is placed in the protected species list. It is found listed on the appendix 1 of CITES and it is illegal to buy or sell this wild species. Therefore, make sure you bring home only a captive bred cockatoo as your pet. Keeping it as a pet is a lifelong commitment. The bird is a high maintenance pet and you need to be ready to take good pet care for life. Let us have a look at a few facts about this beautiful bird.

Facts to Know

This is no ordinary bird. It is very intelligent and is known to manipulate their owners. They have the ability to develop an extensive vocabulary, sing songs, mimic voices, etc. They are also called Salmon-crested cockatoo. It is about 50 cm in size and thus, making it one of the largest white cockatoos.

Description
The Moluccan cockatoo has white-pinkish feathers. It gives out a peachy glow making it look very attractive. It has a slight yellowish tinge on the underside as well as underwing of the tail feathers. These birds have a large retractable and recumbent crest. This crest is raised up when they feel threatened or are emotionally excited. The crest is bright red-orange color and is used to scare off predators.

Housing
The bird needs a cage that is about 36"W x 36"D x 48"H. They need really large cages therefore, make sure you get home the largest you can afford. The cage should be placed off the floor. Make sure it is away from drafts. The bird can do well in average temperatures. The cage should have metal bars that are about 1" apart. The perches should be about 9" in length and 1" in diameter. You should make sure the cage has a secure lock. Moluccans are known for their ability to pick locks, so be sure they cannot reach the lock. The bird should be let out of the cage only for play and training purposes.

Moluccan Diet and Feeding
In wild, the Moluccan diet consists of seeds, nuts, fruits and coconuts. They even eat insects to include proteins in their diet. You can feed your pet fresh fruits and vegetables daily. You can even feed them specialized pellets diet and fortified seeds. Fruits like grapes, pineapple, corn, etc. can be fed. Do not feed your bird chocolates, alcohol, avocados, fruit seeds, etc. under any circumstances. Provide the bird with fresh water at all times.

Behavior
They are emotionally-charged and need proper training. If you cannot control this bird, it may attack people. It tends to build a strong bond with one person. They become deeply bonded to the person and if separated, they then tend to develop emotional problems. If you have the time and the determination to train this bird, it will become a really great pet. It won't develop any behavioral problems if trained well.

A Moluccan is a devoted pet to their owner. They tend to be really vocal and have the loudest call among parrots. Therefore, if you live in an apartment, this bird is not suitable. If you do not meet their demands, they will scream continuously. They need a lot of place for exploring and walking around. Make sure you clip their wings to prevent them from flying off.

Care
This cockatoo needs constant attention and care. You need to interact with the bird for about 4 to 5 hours. Make sure you give him plenty of toys and challenges or they will get bored. Many families bring home this bird without understanding its needs. These birds need constant love and care. Otherwise they become noisy and scream a lot. If you are working and cannot give the bird attention and care, do not bring home one as a pet. Otherwise, the bird will become emotionally disturbed and self mutilate itself. Most of these birds end up in an animal shelter, where their needs are not met generally. This causes them to develop severe behavioral problems and self-mutilation. Once the bird begins to self mutilate, the only option left is euthanasia by the vet.

Moluccan Cockatoos For Sale

If you are looking out for these birds for sale, you should look for reputed breeders in your area. Many times, you will find one at an animal rescue center. The price can be about $400 to $1500 for a single bird. A pair can cost about $2,000. Therefore, it is better to have a look at animal shelters before visiting breeders.

These birds have an average lifespan of about 40 years. These birds build a bond with one person in the family and if separated can become emotionally unstable. There is no point in causing problems in a perfectly normal bird. If you have the space, time, money and dedication, bring home these cockatoos as pets.