Animal-World > Birds > Cockatoos > Mollucan Cockatoo

Moluccan Cockatoo

Family: Cacatuidae

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Cacatua moluccensisPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

     This is a picture of "Colonel"... he is a mature bird, about 10 years old and is a normal size for a Moluccan Cockatoo.

   To learn more about Cockatoos and their needs visit:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Cockatoo

Scientific name:Cacatua moluccensis

Distribution:      The Moluccan Cockatoo is found in the South Moluccan islands including Caram and Amboina.

Description:     Moluccan Cockatoos are a full sized cockatoo with pinkish colored feathers on the underside of the crest on the top of their head. Some are pinkish all over while other remain white. They can learn to talk, as can most cockatoos and are easy to teach all kinds of tricks. Cockatoos in general are a very loving type of bird that needs a lot of attention from their owners. Buy a cockatoo only if you can spend a lot of time with it.

Care and feeding:      A roomy cage is required unless the bird is to be let out for extended periods. Many birds can spend most of their time on a play pen or parrot perch. They eat a variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, and commercial pellets, as well as the same nutritional foods humans eat.

     See About Cockatoos: Housing and About Cockatoos: Care and Feeding for more information.

Size - Weight:      Mature birds are about 50 cm (20 inches) in length.

Social Behaviors:      Wild Cockatoos are friendly and peaceful. They live together in flocks of 20 or more birds.

Breeding/Reproduction:      See About Cockatoos: Breeding for Cockatoo breeding information.

Sexual differences:      Hard to tell with young birds. As they get older the iris of the females' eyes will develop a brownish color, the males' eyes will remain black

Potential Problems:      Cockatoos can be quite loud screechers. The behaviour can be reduced by giving attention and proper surroundings. Also, since they are prone to chewing, if they are not given enough attention they will chew their own feathers.

Availability: These birds are readily available.

Activities: Loves to climb and play and chew. Provide lots of toys.

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Latest Comments
Betty We will gladly take Chessie if you have not found her a home yet. thanks Richard and rebecca (Editor's note: You will need to take this conversation to the forum in order to include contact information. Good luck!) littleuno1 2009-09-25
We have a beautiful female Moluccan named Chessie whom we adopted two years ago. She's banded thus caught in the wild before this ridiculous practice was stopped. She's delightful however needs a home where she has fellow birds who understand her wild (and loud, did I mention LOUD) speech. She has three large cages and LOVES men, tolerates women. Needs a guy who wants to spend lots of time with her and give her tons of love. Please respond if you are interested and qualify based on above comments. Thanks!!! Betty 2009-01-20
I have had my Mullucan for the past 5 years her name is Peaches and what joy and love she brings. i just got a Blue and Gold macaw to keep her company I pray it is what she needs. Keith 2006-07-30
I have a male Umbrella cockatoo named Salsa, a male Moluccan Cockatoo named Lewey, and a male Blue and Gold macaw named Max. I have never found a better bird than Lewey. He absolutely adores me. He likes my Umbrella Cockatoo and gets along with my Macaw. he adores everyone he meets and is quite a talker. He says: I love you. hi! night-night! You're a cutie! I'm a baby. Good baby! Lewey. Please? Cuddle time! Tickle time! GO AWA-A-A-A-A-Y!....and more. He makes different sounds from around the house and sings opera to get attention. But boy, can he be LOUD!! Anyone getting this bird should become used to the sound before purchasing. Otherwise, I love Lewey. Lewey's owner 2006-03-28
My mother acquired her "babygirl" from her cousin who has just recently passed. I have never taken up much time with her on my visits, but this trip I have fallen in love with her. Thule is her name and she is beautiful. I was given my first kiss from her last night and she perched on my shoulder this morning. These birds are so beautiful. She tells us that she loves us and plays peek-a-boo with my kids. I am seriously thinking of getting a mollucan of my own, if I can't take Thule with me! Tawnya 2006-02-22
Some of the coolest comments:
I have a 17 month old hand reared Mollucan cockatoo who is an absolute sweetie pie, she has the most beautiful wings I have ever seen and thats why named her Angie, short for Angel. Never in my life have I come across a bird as loving as Angie. Angie talks and whistles non stop all day, she says words such as 'Hello Noo-noo, Helloooo my baby and Angie'. She makes alot of mess and chews any thing she can get her beak on, her huge cage is a mission to clean everyday but I dont mind. I am the happiest bird owner in the whole world. I couldnt have asked for a more loving companion!! Kayleen SA 2005-03-15
I also have aquired a wild caught Moluccan. I don't know his way back past, but he was in an animal training program here in Southern California for many years. I was assigned to his during one year there. During the teen years there he started mutilating his chest. I've had him for 9 years now. 6 of those years he wore a collar to prevent the mutilation.In the past 3 years I have been giving him Haloperidol, a human drug, 3 drops in the morning and that is it. He ceased mutilation and now lives beautifully collar free. I think of it as a miracle. He still plucks his chest a bit, but no mutilation. There is no change in his personality, it just removed the obsession he had with his chest. He is once again the pretty, fluffy, white bird I fell in love with.... Anonymous 2003-08-04

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