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The Moluccan Cockatoo, Cacatua moluccensis, or Salmon-crested Cockatoo, is a cockatoo endemic to the South Moluccas in eastern Indonesia. At 50 cm it is the largest of the white cockatoos, with the female larger than the males on average. It has white-pink feathers with a definite peachy glow (and a slight yellow on the underwing), and a large retractable recumbent crest which it raises when threatened to frighten potential attackers. It also has a loud voice, and in captivity is a capable mimic.
In the wild the Moluccan Cockatoo inhabits lowland forest below 1000m, feeding on seeds, nuts and fruit, as well as coconuts.
Endangered status in the wild
The moluccan cockatoo is an endangered species, and has been listed on appendix 1 of CITES since 1989, which makes trade in wild-caught birds illegal. Trade in captive bred birds is legal only with appropriate CITES certification. 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. It has a stronghold in Manusela National Park on Seram, although even today some trapping continues.
References
- Database entry includes justification for why this species is vulnerable
External links
- Project Bird Watch Project Bird Watch is a group of people dedicated to the study and protection of the Moluccan, and other parrots in their natural habitat in the Indonesian Islands. One of their many projects is to encourage and develop eco-tourism as an alternative to trapping the birds for the native dwellers of the area.
Kakadu molucký | Molukkenkaketoe | Cacatua-das-molucas | Moluški kakadu | Moluckkakadua
"Moluccan Cockatoo"