Moluccan Cockatoo

Scientific Name: Cacatua moluccensis

Order: Psittaciformes (parrots and cockatoos)

Family: Cacatuidae

Conservation Status

About

Moluccan Cockatoos are vulnerable to extinction in the wild. Numbers have declined due to illegal trapping for the cage-bird trade and habitat loss. During the height of the trapping of this species, over 6,000 birds were being removed from the wild per year. Now only about 2,000 exist in the wild. Moluccan Cockatoos are the loudest parrot in the pet parrot trade. The Moluccan Cockatoo is widely considered to be the one of the most demanding parrots to keep as a pet, due to their high intelligence, large size, potential noise level, and need to chew.

Find me at EPZ

Location: This animal is not on exhibit. It is part of our educational collection and may only be seen in programs inside or outside of the zoo.

Arrived at EPZ: Sally- 2008

Habitat & Range
Identification
At over 20 inches and weighing roughly 35 oz., it is the largest of the white cockatoos. The female is larger than the males on average. It has white-pink feathers with a definite peachy glow, a slight yellow on the underwing and underside of the tail feathers and a large retractable recumbent crest which it raises when threatened, revealing hitherto concealed bright red-orange plumes to frighten potential attackers (may also be raised in excitement, or other 'emotional' displays). It also has one of the louder calls in the parrot world and in captivity is a capable mimic.
Diet
The diet consists mainly of seeds, nuts and fruit, as well as coconuts.
Reproduction & Lifespan
Moluccan cockatoos mate for life and breed year round. Normal clutch size is 2 eggs. Both parents incubate the eggs for 28 days until hatching. Moluccan cockatoos can live over 30 years.
Fantastic Fact
Moluccan cockatoos can hold their food in one foot, while using their other foot to break it into pieces.

Moluccan Cockatoo

Conservation Status

About

Find me at EPZ

Habitat & Range

Identification

Diet

Reproduction & Lifespan

Fantastic Fact