![]() ![]() Moluccan cockatoos breed well in captivity. ![]() Don’t clip wing feathers excessively as cockatoos often fall and injure themselves clip primary flight feathers only enough so the bird will glide to the floor. Birds can be misted and allowed to dry in a warm room or in the sun or gently dried with a blow drier. Routine bathing or showering is vital for good plumage and skin condition. Try to ensure that the food they do eat is nutritious, but vitamin supplements are not needed for birds on a formulated diet. Young cockatoos are notoriously picky eaters and don’t seem to need much food to maintain themselves. If overfed, Moluccan cockatoos may become obese. Treats such as seeds, nuts and table foods may be given in small amounts especially as rewards for good behavior. If the bird eats all of its food, give more, but remember that overfeeding these animals can lead to pickiness and wastage. The diet should be supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables (mostly vegetables) daily. FeedingĬockatoos should be fed a formulated (pelleted or extruded) diet. Young cockatoos should be socialized to new people and situations early on. For their own safety, pet cockatoos should not be allowed to fly unsupervised in the house. Since Moluccan cockatoos love to chew, they should be provided with toys, blocks of wood or branches. In southern states, outdoor caging must be protected from opossums to prevent exposure to the parasite Sarcocystis falcatula, which can result in a fatal lung infection. Ideally, a Moluccan cockatoo will also have an outdoor cage to allow playtime in the fresh-air and sunlight. Many are also adept at opening cage latches, so locks or escape-proof latches may be necessary. ![]() Make sure the cage is solidly constructed, as these birds are strong chewers and can easily break welds on poorly constructed cages. Moluccans are very active and should be provided the largest cage that space and budget allow. The birds range in length from 18 to 22 inches, with males usually larger than females. The body color ranges from pale pinkish white to pinkish salmon color. Moluccans are large pinkish-white cockatoos, whose salmon-colored crest feathers conform to the shape of the head, lying down unless the crest is raised. However, most birds die of disease or injury long before they reach that age. The birds can be very long lived: In zoos, some have survived up to 60 years. They are most active in early morning and late afternoon, feeding on nuts, young coconuts, seeds, berries, fruits and insects. In the wild, the birds, whose Latin name is Cacatua moluccensis, inhabit lowland forests, especially mature canopy forests along rivers. To help keep the female safe, have his wings clipped prior to breeding season.Īlso known as salmon crested cockatoo, Moluccans are found on the Indonesian islands of Seram, Ambon and adjacent islands in Maluku province. Fatal attacks may occur in which the male bird severely bites the face, wings and legs of the female. They often pick this up as babies that copy morning or afternoon screaming of other cockatoos.Īnother problem – particularly with males – is aggression toward their mates. On the contrary – they’re quite vocal, with a habit of loud screaming. Moluccans ( Cacatua moluccensis) are not known for an ability to mimic, but that doesn’t mean they’re quiet. Some become possessive of their owners and aggressive toward other people others turn to plucking or self-mutilation. And, if they don’t get it, they can turn destructive and annoyingly noisy. ![]() The problem with all this devotion is that they demand attention back – big time. Moluccan cockatoos are highly intelligent birds that make excellent pets: Charming and affectionate, they love to cuddle. ![]()
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