Archive for the ‘Cockatoo’ Category

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.