Moluccan Cockatoo
| Moluccan Cockatoo | ||||||||||
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Moluccan Cockatoo ( Cacatua moluccensis ) with attached feather bonnet |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||
| Cacatua moluccensis | ||||||||||
| ( Gmelin , 1788) |
The Moluccan Cockatoo ( Cacatua moluccensis ) belongs to the order of the parrots. Unlike most cockatoos , it is limited to a very small range. It occurs exclusively on the southern Moluccas Seram, Saparua, Haruku and is now naturalized on Ambon.
In their area of distribution, the Moluccan Cockatoo are sometimes considered to be agricultural pests. They are particularly feared because they eat the semi-ripe seed heads of the coconut palm and can thus substantially damage the crop yield.
Appearance
Moluccan cockatoos reach a body length of 52 centimeters. This makes them one of the large cockatoo species. The basic color of the Moluccas is white. Individual animals also have a pink sheen over their plumage. Both sexes are characterized by the pink hood, the color of which is particularly clearly visible when it is set up. Some Moluccas also have yellowish colored feathers on the inside of the wings and in the tail feathers area. The beak is large and black.
The feet are gray-black and look like scales. This pattern becomes larger towards the toes, with the claws being black. They have a white, featherless ring around their eyes.
distribution and habitat
The main distribution area of the Moluccan Cockatoo is the Indonesian island of Seram , an island east of New Guinea, around 350 kilometers long and a maximum of 50 to 60 kilometers wide. In the middle of the island there is a mountain range up to 3,000 meters high, which the Moluccan cockatoos avoid. They can only be observed up to an altitude of about 1000 meters above sea level. The islands of Saparua and Haruku , both of which are located off the southwestern coast of Seram and are between 300 and 400 square kilometers in size, are largely populated by Moluccan cockatoos. A tropical, humid climate without strong seasonal fluctuations is characteristic of the distribution area.
In many areas they have already been wiped out. The population in the wild is estimated at around 2000 animals. The reason for the high risk is the lively wild bird trade, mainly with the western world. In addition, the natural habitat of the Moluccan Cockatoo is becoming more and more restricted and the forests and swamps are being destroyed.
In their natural range, Moluccan Cockatoos can be found in forest areas, swamps and other biotopes. Inhabited areas are not accepted.
Diet and Lifestyle
Moluccan cockatoos live in pairs or in small schools. They are diurnal birds that seek out their feeding grounds in the morning after a brief cleaning and calling phase. It is characteristic of Moluccan Cockatoos that they usually fly just above the treetops. A second, intensive phase of foraging is in the afternoon. In between, the Moluccan cockatoos rest in the treetops, doze or take care of their plumage.
The food spectrum of the Moluccas extends to all possible and seasonally available wild seeds, herbs and fruits. When it comes to fruit, mostly only the meat is eaten and the peel is left over. Wood is also very popular. This is also essential for bill wear.
It can be assumed that Moluccan Cockatoos form a very close pair bond in the wild. The partners spend their whole life together. However, it is unclear whether the loss of a partner will result in a new pairing.
Behavior and reproduction
Since Moluccan cockatoos are very socially living birds, they are often found in small to medium-sized groups. The couples probably pursue the breeding business separately and alone, but probably always in the vicinity of the group. It can also be assumed that all sexually mature animals in the group start breeding at the same time. The animals are extremely shy and cautious and flee in the event of disturbances. Reliable field observations are still not available. The voice of the Moluccan Cockatoo is very penetrating. But they are also able to whistle and imitate some other noises. Your language skills are rather underdeveloped. Most of the Moluccas can only learn and reproduce a few words of the human language.
In the wild, the breeding season begins, which for us falls in the summer months. Two broods are possible. Their breeding caves are at great heights; the caves are probably very deep. The egg clutch consists of two to three eggs.
Pet ownership
Moluccan cockatoos were for a time very often in the trade in North America and Europe as wild-caught. At times, more than 6,000 Moluccan Cockatoos were caught and traded each year. The species is now considered endangered and has been listed in Appendix I of the CITES agreement since 1989 . Since then, the trade in wild-caught has been illegal. Trading in bred Moluccan cockatoos is only allowed with the appropriate CITES certificates. However, illegal catches and trafficking in this cockatoo species continue, for which high prices are paid.
Moluccan Cockatoos are considered demanding fosterlings who often develop a close bond with a specific person in the family. Their very large gnawing drive is problematic in keeping them. The ornithologist Dieter Hoppe , who specializes in parrots, points out that a Maluku male he held even destroyed an aviary cage made from 1.5 millimeter thick sheet metal with welded seams that had been specially made by a locksmith. Basically, only keeping them in pairs in large aviaries is considered species-appropriate today.
supporting documents
Individual evidence
literature
- Dieter Hoppe : Kakadus - way of life, keeping and breeding , Eugen Ulmer Verlag, Stuttgart 1986, ISBN 3-8001-7155-4
Web links
- Moluccan voice (MP3; 1.1 MB)
- Videos, photos and sound recordings of Cacatua moluccensis in the Internet Bird Collection
- Cacatua moluccensis inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Threatened Species . Listed by: BirdLife International, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2013.