There are some important facts you need to know before you make a lifetime commitment if you are considering buying a Moluccan Cockatoo.
Selecting a Moluccan Cockatoo
For the best results, consider buying a hand-tamed and hand-fed baby Cockatoo. They are accustomed to interacting with humans and will quickly adjust to your home.
Cages for a Moluccan Cockatoo
Even though a baby bird is small, you will need to think ahead of cage size. The ideal cage size for an adult Cockatoo should be approximately 4 foot square and they can be expensive. Unless you want your bird to run amok in your house, you need to buy a secure lock for the cage. Cockatoos are able to pick locks; it seems to be their first priority. You should let your bird out if its cage only when you are present for play time and training sessions.
Creating a Home Environment for a Moluccan Cockatoo
Cockatoos are quite noisy and have a tendency to let out screams for attention or when they are bored. If you live in an apartment, this is not the bird for you. They are a large bird and need large spaces for walking and exploring. In order to prevent Cockatoos from flying out of your house and never returning, their wings need to be clipped. It is painless to the bird because it’s only a clipping of the end of their pin feather.
Another consideration is the number of people in your household. Depending on the temperament of your bird, it may not like children or spouses. Cockatoos have large sharp beaks and can actually cut off a child’s finger. Birds crave bonding with humans but sometimes they will bond with only one person in the household.
When you run your hands through their feathers, a talc-like substance will accumulate on your fingers. If any member of the family has a dust allergy, a Cockatoo is not for you.
Care and Feeding of a Moluccan Cockatoo
You have to be prepared to spend at least 4 to 5 hours a day interacting with a Cockatoo. They need ongoing stimulation and challenges, otherwise they get bored. A bored bird will scream, destroy its surroundings and pluck its feathers (which is a serious habit that is hard to break).
For food, they like fruits, vegetables, nuts and ground meat. Do not feed Cockatoos (or any bird) avocados because this will cause instant death. Their cage must be cleaned out daily to remove droppings, replenish water and remove uneaten food.
A Cockatoo is not recommended for beginners because of their temper tantrums and their selective bonding abilities.
Bonding With a Moluccan Cockatoo
If you bond with a Cockatoo, you will gain and loyal and devoted companion. The satisfaction of seeing your pet bird learn how to become a social animal and retain what you teach is certainly worthwhile if you are willing to devote a lot of time.