Archive for May 31st, 2010

The Moluccan Cockatoo, also known as the Salmon-crested Cockatoo is endemic to eastern Indonesia.

It is a large white bird in the cockatoo family. It has a rather loud call, one of the loudest in the parrot world. It can be a very capable mimic when raised in captivity.

The Moluccan Cockatoo has a long life span, and a healthy bird can live to be 80 years or more. A famous Moluccan Cockatoo at the San Diego zoo called King Tut lived over 100 years.

A vulnerable species

The Moluccan Cockatoo is classified as a vulnerable species in CITES, one of the largest conservation agreements in existence.

It is illegal to trade in Moluccan Cockatoos that have been caught in the wild.   Furthermore, trading of captive bred birds is also legal only with appropriate CITES certification. Unfortunately, despite these conservation efforts, some illegal trapping of the Moluccan Cockatoo continues even today.

One cannot import a Moluccan Cockatoo into the USA any more due to these and other conservation laws. However, in the USA, Moluccan Cockatoos are bred in captivity and sold to prospective pet owners.

The Moluccan Cockatoo as a pet

People like the Moluccan Cockatoo because of their beauty and also because they can easily be trained.  They are frequently used in trained bird shows.

The Moluccan Cockatoo can be one of the most demanding birds to own as a pet. The Moluccan Cockatoo is very intelligent. They are quite big and need a sturdy cage or aviary to hold them. They require a lot of activity and the attention of their caregiver to remain healthy. Health or behavioral problems may arise if they are not provided the right environment and attention.

With all the effort, comes the joy of the Moluccan Cockatoo as well. They are very social, quite cuddly and affectionate.

The Moluccan Cockatoo eats nuts, fruit and seeds. They need a diet rich in protein when grown as a pet. When they grow in the wild, they naturally get the protein they need by eating insects off the ground. Without the right diet, they might become anemic.

Help online

There is excellent information online on what it mean to keep and breed Moluccan Cockatoos. There are videos online on everything ranging from feeding it, training it, to entertaining it. There are forums where owners can be in touch with others and exchange ideas and get their questions and concerns answered. There are also excellent books that may be indispensable for a Moluccan Cockatoo owner.

Believe it or not, not everyone likes your family pet.  By keeping your pet in an identified space with a good quality dog fence, Fido can remain as a good neighbor.  I know, I know, it’s  almost impossible to imagine that anyone who knows Fido doesn’t immediately fall in love with her.  She might just be ok with the neighbors but the things she does in their yard make for some unhappy relationships.  This is just one of the main reasons why every pet owner has an obligation to control their pets traveling range with pet fencing.   

The problem of course is the about relieving themselves in someone else’s yard,  Yes, your pet may be friendly and would like to visit the neighbors but the fact is, many people do not share your love affair with your pet.  They don’t want the bother of picking up after an animal that’s not theirs nor having their yards soiled with urine “hot spots” and doggie piles.  Dogs, although usually very friendly also can be destructive of plants and landscaping, making many breeds poor neighbors.

That’s not to say that your dog isn’t a nice animal.  Dogs are typically social and enjoys the interaction with a variety of people.  This play interaction however is not without consequences.  Things get broken, chewed on and otherwise “enjoyed” by your pet no matter if they belong to you or the neighbor.  Having to face an angry neighbor because your dog destroyed his prize winning rose bush garden isn’t something to be desired.  

There’s also the issue of community security.  This is especially true if your dog is a larger breed.  Having a large dog escape the security of their yard could be seen as negligence on your part.  Communities are becoming increasingly upset at pet owners who allow their animals free run of a neighborhood.  Heaven forbid if your dog, while free, attacks someone or another animal.  This is especially serious if the other dog or pet was on a leash.  

The saying is that a good fence makes for good neighbors.  A good dog fence also makes for a happy and healthy environment for your pet.  By securing your dog using secure fencing, your best friend also has the security of knowing where his yard boundaries are located.  There is no need to “guard” anything beyond the fence lines so you pet is more inclined to stay in his yard to better “watch” his property.  Overall, electronic dog fencing is a good investment no matter what type of dog you may have as a pet.