Salmon-crestaed cockatoo
Class: Birds
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Cacatuidae
Genus: Cacatua
Species: Moluccensis
Habitat: Coastal wooded regions and mountain forests
Size / Wingspan: 50 cm / 96 to 106 cm
Longevity: 65 years
Weight: Approximately 850 g
Sexual Maturity: 5-6 years
Incubation: 28 days
Clutch: 2 eggs
Diet: Granivorous and frugivorous: fruits, nuts, seeds, and insects.
Protection Status: IUCN CR Status – Endangered
Description
The Salmon-crested Cockatoo, also known as the Moluccan Cockatoo, is known for its bright orange crest, which it raises to intimidate threats or challengers. This crest lies flat when not in use. Reaching up to 50 cm in length, it is the largest of all cockatoos. During the breeding season, Moluccan cockatoos live in pairs, but for the rest of the year, they gather in flocks of 10 to 20 individuals.
Threats and preservation
The Salmon-crested Cockatoo is critically endangered due to deforestation, which reduces its natural habitat. Additionally, its remarkable ability to imitate sounds made it a highly sought-after pet in the 1980s. This popularity, combined with deforestation, has severely threatened the species. In just ten years, around 745,000 individuals were illegally captured.Today, conservation programs, such as captive breeding initiatives and efforts to raise awareness about illegal trafficking, aim to protect this species and restore its natural habitats.
