Moluccan Cockatoo: One or Two?

If you're getting a Moluccan Cockatoo (and you have all of the necessary time for it) would it be better to get one or two (so that it has a bird to bond with?)


The reasoning behind the question posed - if you get two they will have each other to bond with, perhaps they'd be less dependent of your constant attention if they have each other but then they might also be less interested in human interaction.

What would be best for the bird and why?

Hi I am replying on the assumption you are wanting a Moluccan 'too? Have read so many sorry tales about these birds in homes that do not end well for them or the parront. Have you researched exhaustively, reached out to other owners? They are capable of calling at 130db, are your neighbours ok with that? I can see the attraction they are truly gorgeous birds. Re your question one or two, it would look better to house these birds in a bird room rather than a cage and probably other 'toos as company could poss work?

Some links FYI
How to Live With a Moluccan Cockatoo: 8 Steps (with Pictures)
https://www.beautyofbirds.com/moluccancockatoos.html

The answer for the vast majority of potential homes is going to be 0.
They are extremely demanding pets in every way - noise, mess, noise, cost, noise, bite damage, noise, space.

Getting two is kind of like have twin Human babies! Then add the joy of two Moluccan Cockatoos on top. It will help greatly to be independently wealthy and not required having a job.

Enjoy!

You're the one says why do ethics matter in breeding threatened 'toos, that human curiosity and amusement trump plain old doing things for the benefit of the species? And no one would offer to create such a hybrid for you, so now you ask about how to keep two large 'toos at once? Are you thinking of doing the breeding yourself?

There is more to the world of parrots than meets the eye. They are celebrated in story and song, used as attention getting devices in movies and tv and magazines, because they are pretty and can talk and are different than boring old ordinary pets. But there is a deep misery that underlies the interactions between parrots and humans. It's comparable to the easy romanticism we (mostly) used to see about the antebellum south: the lovely clothes, the gracious hospitality, the stately plantation homes. Old movies even used to show the smiling, singing slaves. The reality was horrific: enslaved humans, maltreated, beaten, ripped from families, laboring to support the lifestyle of the owners. I don't argue that birds are little humans. But there is a dark underside to the pet parrot trade, and that's what it is - a trade, a business. For every beloved parrot getting attention, stimulation, enrichment, love and care are there a hundred getting by? Another hundred shut up in dark basements and back bedrooms because the humans aren't willing to give the expensive thing they can't stand away? How many trees were cut down to rob baby parrots from nests, how many died in smuggling, how many formerly abundant species are extinct or threatened in the wild?

I wish Tweti's "Of Parrots and People" were required reading for potential parrot owners. She illustrates the incredible feats parrots can achieve, illuminates the miseries they too often endure, and lays bare the horror that lies at the nadir of the trade: the habitat destruction and the poaching. Every link in the chain is true. Parrots aren't less wonderful because people do wrong, the wrongdoing isn't made tolerable by the joy at the zenith. I say, know the spectrum, know the truth, and then we can at least make an informed choice.

Moluccans rank high on the list of re-homed parrots for the reasons stated and more. Strikingly beautiful, intelligent and willful, they are among the most challenging of companions. That said....

One of my original birds was an extremely docile well-mannered Moluccan, "Big Bird." A few years later my family noticed a beautiful and friendly Moluccan languishing in a filthy cage at a bird show. Out of sympathy we purchased "Little Bird" and paired them in a large flight cage. All was reasonably well for a few years until Little Bird became aggressive to the point of separation. We eventually re-homed Little Bird to a single-bird household. Big Bird lived out his life uncaged in a room with a Citron, 4 Goffins, and a TAG. He was best buddies with the Citron but could groom the Goffins with ease. Never at ease with humans, he bonded best with other cockatoos.

As with any species, there is no guarantee a pair will live amicably!

Kentuckienne said:

You're the one says why do ethics matter in breeding threatened 'toos, that human curiosity and amusement trump plain old doing things for the benefit of the species? And no one would offer to create such a hybrid for you, so now you ask about how to keep two large 'toos at once? Are you thinking of doing the breeding yourself?

There is more to the world of parrots than meets the eye. They are celebrated in story and song, used as attention getting devices in movies and tv and magazines, because they are pretty and can talk and are different than boring old ordinary pets. But there is a deep misery that underlies the interactions between parrots and humans. It's comparable to the easy romanticism we (mostly) used to see about the antebellum south: the lovely clothes, the gracious hospitality, the stately plantation homes. Old movies even used to show the smiling, singing slaves. The reality was horrific: enslaved humans, maltreated, beaten, ripped from families, laboring to support the lifestyle of the owners. I don't argue that birds are little humans. But there is a dark underside to the pet parrot trade, and that's what it is - a trade, a business. For every beloved parrot getting attention, stimulation, enrichment, love and care are there a hundred getting by? Another hundred shut up in dark basements and back bedrooms because the humans aren't willing to give the expensive thing they can't stand away? How many trees were cut down to rob baby parrots from nests, how many died in smuggling, how many formerly abundant species are extinct or threatened in the wild?

I wish Tweti's "Of Parrots and People" were required reading for potential parrot owners. She illustrates the incredible feats parrots can achieve, illuminates the miseries they too often endure, and lays bare the horror that lies at the nadir of the trade: the habitat destruction and the poaching. Every link in the chain is true. Parrots aren't less wonderful because people do wrong, the wrongdoing isn't made tolerable by the joy at the zenith. I say, know the spectrum, know the truth, and then we can at least make an informed choice.

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That's an extreme mischaracterization of what I was saying - and no I do not intend to breed cockatoos, I am asking if it would be better for them to live as a pair or single.

I am not one in favor of many regulations but I do believe parrot ownership should be regulated.

plumsmum2005 said:

Hi I am replying on the assumption you are wanting a Moluccan 'too? Have read so many sorry tales about these birds in homes that do not end well for them or the parront. Have you researched exhaustively, reached out to other owners? They are capable of calling at 130db, are your neighbours ok with that? I can see the attraction they are truly gorgeous birds. Re your question one or two, it would look better to house these birds in a bird room rather than a cage and probably other 'toos as company could poss work?

Some links FYI
How to Live With a Moluccan Cockatoo: 8 Steps (with Pictures)
https://www.beautyofbirds.com/moluccancockatoos.html

Click to expand...

Of course I am aware of their proclivities

I think it depends on how well you interact with the bird. If you find your parrot has plenty of enrichment from you and also has been taught how to self-entertain, then chances are they're quite happy as single birds. I think being around other parrots is beneficial, but some birds are best kept as individuals.

It would be best to get the bird and learn their personality for a few years and make the decision further down the road. Cockatoos are exceptionally loving, humorous, and lively. But they're also a lot of work. Generally a single white cockatoo is easier to manage than two.

Wow, that's a loaded question, especially after your "wanting to create a hybrid cockatoo for myself, regardless of whether or not it benefits the birds" post.

One Moluccan Cockatoo is like having a 4-5 year old child for decades and decades, and it's extremely difficult to work at all or be away from your home at all and keep them happy. And if you do some quick research about whether it's better to get one bird or two, you'll easily find the standard answer: You cannot guarantee that 2 birds, whether they are of the same species or not, will get along at all. The possible outcomes are #1 they hate each other, attack each other, and must be separate at all times, #2 they simply tolerate each other and don't attack each other, but they really make no difference to each other at all, #3 they bond closely with each other, which can have 2 basic outcomes, #1 they both still like humans but will never form a strong bond with one particular human because they don't need to, they'd rather be with their own kind, or #2 they have no liking for human interaction at all and people cannot even get close to them.

So basically your answer to this question is that Moluccan Cockatoos form very, very close bonds with their humans and have the intelligence of a 4-5 year old child, basically they are a 4-5 year old child. So if you want a bird that you form a close bond with, do not buy a second bird to entertain the first bird. And I would especially recommend you don't do that with Moluccan Cockatoos, because you could really end up with a nightmare.

You need to realize that the majority of people, I'd say 90%+ of the people that bring a Moluccan Cockatoo into their homes, whether it be a small, hand-fed baby or an adult they adopt, end up with a bird that not only self-mutilates because the owner cannot spend enough direct contact time with them, meaning every moment the bird is awake, but also with a bird that has behavioral problems that cause problems in their lives, such as constant, non-stop screaming and other noises that shatter glass, biting, hormonal and mating behaviors with the owner, not being able to bring others inside their homes anymore because the bird attacks them violently, and the bird actually becoming horribly violent with the owner due to, well, anything...And this is why they are the #1 most populous pet bird found in rescues and shelters. Most have 5-10 owners or more during their lives, and most display some if not a lot of self-mutilation...And unfortunately getting two Moluccan Cockatoos to avoid these issues only creates a huge other issue for you: It ruins the entire reason most people want a pet bird in their lives to begin with, having a loving, affectionate companion bird they form a close bond to. It's a vicious cycle.

So please don't do it to two of them.

"Dance like nobody's watching..."

Another piece of advice, or at least an observation that you may want to think about before bringing a bird into your home: Why do you want a Moluccan Cockatoo in the first place? Have you actually sat down and asked yourself that? The reason I ask is because no matter what the reasons (other than "I just want one") there are plenty of other species of birds out there that can provide you with the type of companionship you're looking for in a bird, without the heartbreak that eventually comes along with most Moluccan Cockatoos. And if you have the finances to afford supporting a Moluccan Cockatoo throughout its life, then you have so many options of pet parrots available, I'd take your time and research what other parrots might fill that role for you with less trouble. I only say this because I've volunteered at a bird rescue for 10 years, and though they are extremely intelligent, beautiful, and can be sweethearts at times, the flip side to them is just a nightmare.

"Dance like nobody's watching..."

EllenD said:

Another piece of advice, or at least an observation that you may want to think about before bringing a bird into your home: Why do you want a Moluccan Cockatoo in the first place? Have you actually sat down and asked yourself that? The reason I ask is because no matter what the reasons (other than "I just want one") there are plenty of other species of birds out there that can provide you with the type of companionship you're looking for in a bird, without the heartbreak that eventually comes along with most Moluccan Cockatoos. And if you have the finances to afford supporting a Moluccan Cockatoo throughout its life, then you have so many options of pet parrots available, I'd take your time and research what other parrots might fill that role for you with less trouble. I only say this because I've volunteered at a bird rescue for 10 years, and though they are extremely intelligent, beautiful, and can be sweethearts at times, the flip side to them is just a nightmare.

"Dance like nobody's watching..."

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Yes, I am very sure that I want a Moluccan cockatoo

MeowMeow said:

Yes, I am very sure that I want a Moluccan cockatoo

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Alrighty.... All About Cockatoos - MyToos.com

I have a Moluccan, he is the sweetest, i also have a Umbrella & a LCS2,
he is extremely close to my U2, they have been together for almost 4 years now. they get a bad rap, I haven't ever seen it from him.

also my toos sight is a horrible site, i was banned for speaking out against the site, they say they are cockatoo lovers but i i seen was cockatoo haters.
cockatoos are loving birds if socialized properly

StewieandHolly said:

also my toos sight is a horrible site, i was banned for speaking out against the site, they say they are cockatoo lovers but i i seen was cockatoo haters.
cockatoos are loving birds if socialized properly

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I very rarely quote mytoos, but they do shine a dramatically opinionated but valid light on the negative side of cockatoo companionship. IMO they revere cockatoos but disparage most owners with the species. No, they don't seem to tolerate much dissension!

Scott said:

StewieandHolly said:

also my toos sight is a horrible site, i was banned for speaking out against the site, they say they are cockatoo lovers but i i seen was cockatoo haters.
cockatoos are loving birds if socialized properly

Click to expand...

I very rarely quote mytoos, but they do shine a dramatically opinionated but valid light on the negative side of cockatoo companionship. IMO they revere cockatoos but disparage most owners with the species. No, they don't seem to tolerate much dissension!

Click to expand...

There was (maybe still is) a period when everyone wanted a 'too and mostly for the wrong reasons and this site tells it as it is, no gloss. If it works in dissuading people who give in at the first hurdle, good job IMO. If you are keen and have what it takes it won't put you off

I've said before, it takes a special person to own a cockatoo, I researched for 6 months before I got Holly (my U2), i was between a U2 & a African grey, when i visited Holly for the first time, she bonded with me instantly, Holly's previous owner then told me about Stewie, Stewie was in a bad situation, so I adopted him three months after Holly, Daisy sorta fell in my lap, her owner was expecting a baby & wasn't going to be able to give Daisy the attention that she was used to. Alot of people say that I'm insane for having 3 cockatoo's. I wouldn't change anything though, they all get one on one time with me, having one another really helps. most of the time you wouldn't even know I had 3 toos, they are really quiet most if the time, now I have my son & my wife who gives them attention when I'm working.

I've asked myself this very question, actually, because I have a needy Moluccan. I thought - why not adopt a Moluccan in need and hopefully they bond and enjoy each other's company, thereby being less dependent on me?

I asked a few bird experts and researched it, and this is basically what I found - Moluccans are notoriously aggressive, even with each other. In the wild this is almost never the case - but in breeding and or domestic environments, they can lash out at each other, causing severe damage (missing toes, torn arteries, even beak fractures) which can, in extreme cases, result in death. They may get along swell for years, but often something causes them to lash out, and it only takes one attack to severely injure a bird. You would therefore want to avoid leaving them alone together, which kind of defeats the purpose.

There is no natural selection in the breeder's process, so the aggressive males and females will be bred and their offspring will consequently have aggressive tendencies. Another pitfall to the breeding process, and part of the reason there is a rise in aggression in domestic M2's.

I'm not mentioning this because I'm assuming you are going to a breeder (you didn't specify in your post so I imagine you'd be adopting) - it's just to outline that Moluccans are unpredictable and often cause harm to even their own friends, be it their human or cockatoo friends.

Here is a thought, though - oftentimes, birds in rescue centers end up forming a close bond with another bird there. Sometimes it is the same species, sometimes they are "oddball" friends (which is always adorable). Maybe look in a rescue center for a pair that already work quite well together. Maybe one of them or both is a M2, or maybe (if you're flexible on the species) they will be some other playful, less needy variety. But shelters usually try their best to have those birds adopted together, and if you're already prepped for two birds who are companions, maybe look into that! Just a thought. Good luck!

I have two Goffins and they can't stand each other. Cockatoos in general are extremely needy and neurotic and JEALOUS birds. I love mine dearly but I have truly come to believe that they really are just not happy birds in captivity; They want your attention constantly but then they don't want your attention but can't figure out what they want!!!! LOL!! It is truly a balancing act with Cockatoos and a lot of fine tuning goes into being able to incorporate them into your family and routine. I have been able to do that with my Goffins but it has taken a long time and they still scream!! Also a sleep cage is a MUST!!! Otherwise they will definitely drive you to the insane assylum!! I respect people who take them in and rescue them as both of mine are rescues and Goffins are much "easier" than Moluccans....I would seriously rethink getting a Moluccan at all. I agree with previous responses that there are other parrot species that are more enjoyable and even the most experienced parrot owner has difficulty with Moluccans anyway.

Believe me, I LOVE MY COCKATOOS! But I am one of the 3% who can deal with them! They are very difficult birds and will take over your life!