How to Live With a Moluccan Cockatoo

The Moluccan cockatoo is a native of Seram and surrounding islands in Indonesia. Often referred to as a pink parrot because of its salmon pink color, the Moluccan is high maintenance. Although cuddly and lovable, the Moluccan cockatoo is not a pet that everyone or anyone should have. There are many factors to consider before adopting one as a pet.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Consider whether you have adequate space before adopting a Moluccan cockatoo. Keeping it in a small, secluded cage would be cruel. Moluccans need and enjoy human interaction. They also need space to play and stretch their wings. At the very least, their cage should be twice their wingspan, and the bigger the better.
2. Think about the time factor. Moluccans form strong bonds with their human companions. Leaving them without interaction can be emotionally devastating to them. Ask yourself whether you’re willing and able to spend time with it daily. If the answer is no, a Moluccan cockatoo is not the pet for you.
3. Be aware that Moluccans have a wide vocal range. Their yells are capable of reaching up to 130 decibels. This means that neighbors would be able to hear them half way down the block. Determine whether your living arrangements are such that neighbors won’t mind the noise.
4. Keep in mind that Moluccan cockatoos produce an extraordinary amount of a talc powder type of dust. A cockatoo that doesn’t produce this powder (primarily calcium) may not be a healthy bird. Although this is normal for the bird, it means extra work for you as you may need to vacuum and dust daily. Some cockatoo owners place purifiers in the room to reduce the amount of dust.
5. Prepare yourself to have your new family member for many years if you decide to get one. Records show that the oldest Moluccan lived 125 years with a private owner in England. The common lifespan for cockatoos in captivity is approximately 80 years old. If you can’t make a commitment to take care of a Moluccan for many years to come, it’s better not to get one.
6. Give your bird a lot of love if you decide to get one. Buy many toys and alternate them every few days so he doesn’t get bored. Talk to him. Reports indicate that cockatoos possess the intelligence of a 2-year-old. Additionally, they have an excellent memory and may remember for a lifetime so don’t abuse or mishandle them.
7. Read up on how to feed it properly. Cockatoos need fruits, vegetables, some seeds and protein. Find out what plants may be poisonous to your bird. Moluccans like to explore and chew on things.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't take your bird outside without a harness. Use a travel cage to protect your bird while traveling.