The Moluccan cockatoo is a noisy pet bird but is quite popular with many people. However, before raising this bird, you need to know its characteristics first. Because the Maluku parrot is a pet that is quite difficult to care for. Moluccan cockatoos can live up to 30 years. If not cared for properly, these birds can become quite messy. If you want to be kept as a pet, the Moluccan cockatoo requires attention, effort, and time.
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Method 1 of 3: Assessing Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Discuss with family
Cockatoos are pretty good pets. However, you must commit if you want to maintain it. You shouldn't leave the bird in the cage and feed it and then ignore it. You need to spend time with him. Consult with the family and make sure that the parrot is the right pet for your family.
Step 2. Understand that parrots are wild animals
Although cockatoos are raised in cages and can be kept as pets, cockatoos are not tame animals. This bird's personality will not change and it is difficult to tame.
- Cockatoos will generally behave like birds in the wild, such as squealing, crushing wood or paper, and throwing food.
- Moluccan cockatoos should be cared for by experienced owners who can handle sounds and bird bites well.
Step 3. Make sure you can handle the parrot's voice
The Moluccan cockatoo is one of the most noisy cockatoo species. The decibel level of the Maluku parrot's sound is 135, almost close to the sound of a Boeing 747! Therefore, this bird is not the right choice if you live with people who are prone to noise, such as small children or babies. You may want to keep a parrot species that are less noisy if you live in a sensitive environment, such as an apartment.
Step 4. Understand that parrots can live quite a long time
Cockatoos can live long enough, even as long as humans. Therefore, parrots will not die after 10-15 years. Cockatoos can live up to 30 years!
Don't keep a parrot if you intend to get rid of it when it gets bored. Cockatoos are animals that have an emotional bond with their owners
Step 5. Make sure you've considered the cost
You need quite a lot of money to maintain the Maluku Cockatoo. The price of the Maluku Cockatoo varies, depending on where you buy it. However, the cost of maintaining this bird is quite expensive. Generally, you need to set aside approximately IDR 14,000,000 annually for food, toys, cages, cleaning, and visits to the vet clinic.
Don't keep cockatoos if you don't have enough money
Method 2 of 3: Handling Cockatoo Characteristics
Step 1. Know that parrots are messy animals
Cockatoos can make their cage messy. He needs toys so he doesn't get bored. When playing, parrots can make a mess of the cage and the area around it. Cockatoos also like to throw food on the floor. Usually, there are lots of pieces of wood, dust, shells, food scraps, paper, or parrot droppings around the cage.
You can use a small vacuum cleaner to clean out litter and parrot droppings
Step 2. Get ready to dust off
Cockatoos can produce a lot of dust. This dust is parrot feathers that fall out and accumulate on the parrot's body. Eventually, this dust will spread inside your home. Therefore, you need to use a vacuum cleaner every day if you have a parrot.
- If you have allergies or asthma, parrots are not a good option.
- Placing an air filter in the parrot's enclosure can help reduce dust.
Step 3. Beware of the parrot's chewing habit
Cockatoos love to chew. When removed from the cage, keep an eye on the parrot so it doesn't bite into your furniture. Cockatoos like to nibble on shoes, clothes, and furniture.
Giving your parrot a toy can help, but won't solve this problem. You will need to watch your cockatoo closely when it is removed from the cage
Step 4. Recognize that cockatoos are spoiled and noisy animals
Cockatoos are a noisy bird species. Although they can talk, parrots don't talk as often as other bird species. Cockatoos prefer to scream. This bird species is quite spoiled and will often make noise when bored or not paid attention.
Method 3 of 3: Providing the Right Environment
Step 1. Provide a large cage
The Moluccan cockatoo is a fairly large cockatoo species. Therefore, you need to provide a cage large enough for him. Make sure the cage has enough space for birds to play, move, and exercise comfortably.
- Choose a cage that is 80 cm high and 130 cm wide, or one that is large enough for the bird to spread its wings from various sides.
- The cage must be strong. Since the parrot likes to bite, it can easily destroy a plastic cage. Instead, choose a cage made of metal.
Step 2. Make sure the parrot has its own cage
Moluccan cockatoos can be aggressive when living with other birds. In addition, this parrot species is known to often kill other birds with its beak. Even though they enjoy socializing, parrots should stay alone in their cage. Do not mix parrots with other birds.
Step 3. Spend time with the parrots
Cockatoos are social animals, so they enjoy spending time with humans. If you travel a lot and don't spend much time with your cockatoo, your cockatoo can become noisy, depressed, or destructive. Spend a few hours with your cockatoo each day so it doesn't feel lonely.
Step 4. Place the parrot's cage in a crowded area
Cockatoos want to be part of your family. Therefore, place the parrot cage in a room that is used by you and your family. By doing this, the parrot will remain relaxed and will not be lonely or depressed.
- For example, a parrot that can see its family will be happy in its cage. Meanwhile, a parrot placed in a quiet room will scream, get stressed, and pluck its own feathers.
- Keep the cockatoo's cage away from the kitchen as the air is not good for the cockatoo.
Step 5. Place the mat under and around the cage
Since parrots often make a mess, provide a mat under the cage. You can use newspaper, tissue, or paper shopping bags as a base. The base must be laid flat. In addition, you can also check the condition of the parrot's droppings easily.
- To be on the safe side, you can also use a special bird litter box. Do not use wood chips as they are toxic to cockatoos.
- You can also protect the floor and the area around the cage by placing a protective rug. Rubber mats are a good option because they are easy to wash.
Step 6. Prepare the toys
Cockatoos should be entertained frequently, especially when left alone. Provide toys so the parrot can play and distract. Ropes, swings, puzzles, toy food, chew toys, and brightly colored toys are all good options.
- Provide toys to chew on because parrots love to chew. You can buy toys at a pet store, or you can make your own using wood and cardboard.
- Toy hunting is a good option. Cockatoos get their food by hunting. Therefore, providing a toy that forces the parrot to hunt will be very entertaining.
Step 7. Spend some time with him
Cockatoos must spend time with their owners every day. If you don't get enough attention, the cockatoo will become stressed and injure himself. Take the parrot out of the cage daily and talk to it every time you check it out.
- Some parrots like to sit on your lap while watching TV or working at the computer.
- Spend time with him while exercising, such as playing catch and catch with a soft toy.
- Make sure the parrots are removed in a safe area. Doors and windows must be closed, other pets must be removed, cables must be secured, and other dangerous objects must be removed.
Step 8. Do not allow the parrot to perch on its shoulders or walk on the floor
The cockatoo may bite you in the face if you let it sit on your shoulder. If allowed to walk on the floor, the parrot will consider the floor its territory and will become aggressive when other people walk near it. To reduce this bad behavior, do not allow the parrot to perch on the shoulders or roam on the floor.
Step 9. Provide a playground for him
One way to spend time with your parrot is to let it play on the playground. Place a play area in your room and your family often spends a lot of time. Moluccan Cockatoo will really like this. In addition, it can also spend time around its owner.
