Moluccan Cockatoo

The Moluccan cockatoo, also known as the salmon-crested cockatoo, is a large cockatoo endemic to the South Moluccas islands of eastern Indonesia. It’s easily identified by its soft pink-and-white plumage and a dramatic, salmon-colored crest that it raises when alarmed or excited. Its beak is remarkably powerful — capable of exerting roughly 500 pounds of pressure, enough to crack even the hardest nuts and seeds with ease.

Moluccan cockatoos are among the most emotionally expressive parrot species, forming extremely strong bonds with flockmates or human caretakers and needing a great deal of social interaction to thrive. They’re also among the loudest birds in the parrot world, with calls that can carry for long distances through dense rainforest — useful for staying in contact with their flock, but a major reason they aren’t well suited to most households. Because of their popularity in the pet trade over past decades, wild populations have declined significantly, contributing to their current conservation status.

Come see our Moluccan cockatoo at Plumpton Park Zoo — check hours and plan your visit.