Moluccan Cockatoo (Cacatua Moluccensis)

Order: Psittaciformes
Conservation Status: Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)
Origin: Southern Moluccan Islands, with Seram, Ambon, and Sapurua being the primary locations.
Habitat: Rainforests, mangrove swamps and coastal areas, including plantations
Diet: Seeds, fruit, nuts, coconuts and occasionally will consume insects
Size (from beak to tail): 46-52cm
Weight: 850-1.05kg
Threats: Illegal trapping for the pet trade and habitat loss due to logging and agricultural expansion

The Moluccan cockatoo is a large, primarily white, cockatoo endemic to the Moluccas archipelago in eastern Indonesia. They are one of the largest among cockatoos and primarily inhabit lowland rainforests, mangrove swamps and coastal area. They are a highly intelligent and social bird, living in large flocks with pairs mating for life. They form strong bonds and have a highly complex emotional range, capable of mimicking human speech and are one the loudest of all parrot species. They have strong beaks they use for chewing making their bites very powerful and they have a lifespan of about 50-60 years.

Did you Know? Moluccan Cockatoos are also known as Salmon-Crested cockatoos, due to the pink crest that have on top of their head, that they display by raising to a full vertical position when they're feeling excited or threatened. Download our fact file to find out more!

Our Moluccan Cockatoo is named Barney!