Moluccan Cockatoo
I.U.C.N status
International Union for Conservation of Nature
Identity card
Fruits, nuts, seeds and insects.
Did you know?
The Moluccan cockatoo, also known as the salmon-crested cockatoo, is distinguished by a bright orange erectile crest that it raises to intimidate rivals or in the face of a threat. This large cockatoo, measuring 50 cm, is the most imposing of its species. During the breeding season, it lives in pairs, but outside this period, it forms groups of 10 to 20 individuals.
Threats and conservation
The Moluccan cockatoo is seriously threatened by deforestation, which reduces its natural habitat. Furthermore, its great ability to mimic made it a highly sought-after pet
bird in the 1980s. This popularity, combined with deforestation, severely threatened the species. Within the space of ten years, approximately 745,000
individuals were illegally captured. Today, conservation programmes, such as captive breeding initiatives and efforts to raise awareness about illegal trafficking, aim to protect this species and restore its natural habitats.
