9/18/2023 0 Comments Female goffin cockatooIt’s important to watch for signs of illness, as the immune system may be weakened for a time, leaving the bird exposed to attack by bacteria, etc. In general, any change is stressful…in addition to the relationship aspect, changing the bird’s environment triggers instinctual fears of new threats, predators, competitors etc. Unfortunately, there are no hard/fast rules each bird and situation will vary. Sorry for your difficulty very thoughtful of you to consider the consequences of a visit, despite your own sadness. Moluccan Cockatoo image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Clinton Steedsīottom two Moluccan Cockatoo images referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Mahbob Yusef Project Bird Watch: field research reportįurther thoughts on care and conservation Please research carefully, speak with cockatoo owners and write me for advice before acquiring one of these magnificent birds. A Plea to Potential Cockatoo Ownersĭesirable qualities tempt many to underestimate the difficulties entailed in owning a cockatoo of any species. Please write in for information on care and feeding. Birds that bond to one person, or are in breeding condition, may become aggressive…and with beaks capable of cutting into young coconuts (a favorite food), they can inflict serious injuries.Ī loud (even by parrot standards!), shrill call and copious powder-down production are other points to consider.Ī large indoor cage or outdoor aviary, along with ample out-of-cage time, is absolutely essential to their well-being. Feather-plucking, screaming and stress-related illnesses are all-too common. Perhaps even more than their relatives, pet Moluccans are prone to developing severe behavioral problems if denied proper care, space and attention. However, the needs of a large, intelligent, active bird of any species must be carefully considered by potential owners. Professional trainers, zoo educators and others who use Moluccan Cockatoos in bird shows and demonstrations rave about their abilities to learn tricks and mimic words and sounds. Pets are often described as sociable and affectionate, and may form extremely strong bonds to a single person. Moluccans are considered by many to be among the most intelligent and responsive of all cockatoos. Moluccan Cockatoos as Pets: Loveable, but… Despite legal protections, poaching continues, and wild-caught cockatoos are sold openly in some Indonesian markets.Īs is true for any species confined to a small island, storms and similar natural events can cause overnight population crashes. Estimates place the numbers exported between 19 at 75,000+ in-country sales were also significant. In the past, populations were decimated by collection for the pet trade. Habitat loss due to lumbering and dam building appears to be the greatest current threat. The Moluccan Cockatoo is listed on CITES Appendix I and classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. It sometimes appears in secondary forests, but has difficulty breeding there due to the lack of suitable nesting sites (tree cavities high above the forest floor). Unfortunately, this habitat is disappearing rapidly due to logging activities. Within its tiny range, the Moluccan Cockatoo relies upon primary (un-cut) lowland forests. It seems now to have disappeared as a breeding bird from all except Seram Island, where only two significant populations remain. The Moluccan Cockatoo is known from only 4 small islands within the Malaccan or Spice Island chain in Indonesia. Even by cockatoo standards, the head crest is magnificent, being very long and colored deep-pink to orange-red. The white body feathers, infused with pink, are often described as having a “peach-colored hue”. Females often exceed males in size, and are also distinguished by their brown, as opposed to black, eyes. DescriptionĪt 20 inches in length, the Moluccan is the largest of the white-colored cockatoos. This adds to the species’ allure, but there is a downside…wild populations are plummeting, and their needs, as pets, are beyond the capabilities of many owners. In size, color, trainability, and many other ways, it is in a class by itself. It’s not easy to stand-out among such spectacular birds as the cockatoos, but the Moluccan Cockatoo ( Cacatua moluccensis) does so admirably.
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