Moluccan Cockatoo
Moluccan Cockatoo:
The Moluccan Cockatoo,
cacatua moluccensis, is abut 50 cm (20 inches) when adult size. They
are also commonly known as Salmon Crested Cockatoos. The Cockatoo is
the most magnificent of the white cockatoos and most impressive of all
is the bright, peach feathers of the crest. When alarmed, the Moluccan
will react by quickly rising and lowering the crest (sometimes hissing
or screaming at the same time). Its plumage will have varying degrees
of salmon-pink throughout all of its feathering and again have the deep
rich salmon crest. The under sides of the flight feathers is washed
with deep salmon at the base and the tail are pale orange on the
underside. The area of bare skin surrounding the eye is what, tinged
with blue. Their iris is very deep black as a baby, but after the
female turns a year old her eyes will slowly turn a reddish color. But
on Moluccan's this is sometimes very difficult to determine. The bill
is black and the legs are gray. Immature birds will look the same
except babies will have a dark gray iris at first.
Habitat:
The Moluccan
inhabits the Indonesian island of Cream, Saparua and Haruku in the
South Moluccas, and has been introduced to Amboina.
Noise:
They can become
extremely loud if they are tame and then neglected. They will use an
ear-splitting yell to protest. As far as their talking ability, they
can be a good talker although their talking ability is not their
greatest asset. Their wonderful nature is there best asset.
Social
Habits:
The Moluccan's have
a docile and affectionate nature and do make an outstanding pet. They
are extremely intelligent and very attentive to its owner. As with most
Cockatoos if they are spoiled they will crave constant attention and
can become over demanding. This is especially true if you spent a lot
of time with them and then later they are left to entertain themselves.
Their happiest moments are those spent in the arms of their people.
They are extremely intelligent many times figuring out how to escape
form their cage. They are very good with children and are for the most
part very predictable and evenly tempered. As wit most Cockatoos they
can be destructive with wood items about the home, so be sure to
provide them with lots to chew up, in their cage. Whether
you have a male of female you will still have a very sweet loving bird.
Cages: 
Moluccan's need a much large
cage because they love to dance and strut and huge wood toys are a
must. A 36" x 24" would be nice if you have the space and you can even
go larger. They might chew a lot on a cage, but a good
quality power-coated cage (not just any brand) would be excellent and
will out last a spray painted cage and be much easier to clean and keep
nice. Be sure the cage has heavy duty bars as they have one of the
toughest beaks of all the birds. Many of the cheap cages on
the market might be large, but will have weak bars. Suitable bar
spacing would be 3/4" to 1 1/2".
Diet
Information:
The best diet for
any parrot such as the Moluccan would be pellets, fresh fruits and
veggies. Cockatoo can be fussy eaters but are found of corn on the cob,
nuts, coconuts, berries and beans. Sometimes they will be shy of new
foods, but always be persistent- it will probably pay off and teach him
to eat a good varied diet. With a good pellet diet, additional vitamins
are not necessary except maybe spirulina. Spirulina will
enhance the color and the feathering on you Cockatoo, plus it is very
healthy. There are lots of bird packaged mixes on the market today
which will broadened a good veggie & fruit diet, while feeding
a great nutritional diet, and making it easy for you so that
you can give him great food daily. Seed should be fed only in small
portions by hand, maybe when doing training or "good -bird" offerings.
A must with any parrot is a water bottle system. This will provide
fresh, clean water to your bird at all times, even when you aren't home
for a couple of days.
Maturing:
They will usually
reach maturity between 3 and 5 years of age.
Breeding:
Be sure that you
have unrelated birds if you decide to breed. They can only be sexed
either by blood DNA sexing or surgically bay a qualified vet and also
when mature by the color of their eyes. A large nest box is needed and
they do love to chew wood so a ABS plastic nest box should be
considered. A T-box style breeding box is a must with these birds so
that if the male becomes aggressive he can't trap the female in the
box. Male Moluccan's can be extremely aggressive and have been
frequently known to kill their female mates, even after being with each
other for many many years. Many breeders will make sure that the males
wings are clipped and the female is flighted when breeding season
nears. If you are breeding these birds as pets, this may not be
possible, but watch the male that he doesn't become to aggressive
towards his female. A female will lay 2 eggs, although will usually
raise only one baby and quite commonly will not raise her own offspring
at all. It usually is a good idea to incubate and raise these babies
yourself (but only if you are experienced, and this also means feeding
around the clock for the first two weeks). Eggs are usually incubated
for 29 days.
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