All eleven
species of white cockatoos belong to the Cacuta genus. They
include: Cacatua alba (Umbrella Cockatoo), Cacatua ducorpsii
(Ducorps's Cockatoo), Cacatua galerita (Sulphur-crested Cockatoo),
Cacatua goffini (Goffin's Cockatoo), Cacatua haematuropygia
(Red-vented Cockatoo), Cacatua leadbeateri (Major Mitchell's
Cockatoo), Cacatua moluccensis (Moluccan Cockatoo), Cacatua
ophthalmica (Blue-eyed Cockatoo),Cacatua sanguinea (Little
Corrella), Cacatua sulphurea (Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoo)
and Cacatua tenuirostris (Long-billed Corella). Cockatoos
are found in central and northern Moluccas, the islands of
Obi, Batjan, Halmahera, Ternate and Tidore.
MOLUCCAN
COCKATOOS (Salmon Crested Cockatoo) are found in the Phillippines,
and the Moluccan and Indonesia Islands. They're one of the
largest of the cockatoo species at 20 inches. Moluccans are
light pink to salmon colored with a beautiful large orange
crest. The beak and legs are greyish black and the eyes are
black in the male and dark brown in the female. Moluccans
are social animals and live in small flocks.
Cockatoos
are 40-45 cm. (15-18 inch.) in size, with white plumage with
a broad, pure white crest and short tail. The undersides of
tail and wing feathers are yellow and the eyes are black with
a blue-white naked eye ring. The iris is black in the male
and brown in females. Females may also be recognized by a
smaller head and beak. The impressive crest are raised when
the birds are startled or immediately after landing. With
the crest maximally erected, the feathers down the neck spread
wide and the wings lifted, the cockatoo looks much larger
and pretty impressive. The crest also has a important signaling
function in courtship. With the crest raised and the wings
slightly lifted the male dances around the female with hopping
movements accompanied with soft, unmelodious calls and clickings
with his beak.
Moluccans
as Pets
Moluccans
are very aggressive chewers who need a steady supply of toys
and perches to destroy. They have extremely destructive beaks
and are blessed with piercing, loud voices which can carry
for long distances. They tend to vocalize at least twice each
day in the the morning and evening and are not suited to either
apartment dwelling or closely spaces houses. Moluccans need
roomy cages, exercise and things to keep them busy and not
bored. They are one of the species more prone to feather plucking.
They are also very beautiful, intelligent, lovable and affectionate.
They can be taught many tricks and some are very good talkers.
In the early morning and late afternoon they can be rather
loud when flock calling.
