A group of parrot species named cockatoo is brilliant and large, but they are too noisy. Among all pet birds, these birds’ vitality, beauty, and intelligence make them more popular.
Because of their noisy nature, people do not prefer to get them as pets generally. But compared to other pet birds, this species is adopted frequently from the pet bird shelters.
The term ‘Cockatoo’ refers to a family of bird species, including many other sub-species. Malukan cockatoo is one of them.
It is the largest species of pink-white cockatoo. A healthy Moluccan has 850 grams of weight and 46 to 52 centimetres of height. The female Moluccan is larger as compared to the male. It originates from Indonesia.
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How Much Does A Moluccan Cockatoo Cost?
If you want to buy a Moluccan cockatoo, then research the local breeders and contact them for buying or adopting. A hand-trained and young cockatoo costs up to $1,700 to $3,000 approximately. You can adopt them at an average price of $2,000 to $3,000.
You can buy them from the breeder or from bird rescue organizations. Another name of this species is the ‘Salmon-crested’ cockatoo.
Maintenance costs Moluccan Cockatoo
The buying or adaption cost of a Moluccan cockatoo varies due to the bird’s age, quality, and the breeder you buy from.
This species can be found in an avian-specialty store. After buying the bird, you have to calculate the upkeep cost and give them a healthy and happy life.
The first is buying the cockatoo only. Then you have to provide a space with a clean environment is mandatory. Finally, there are a few maintenance costs you have to spend.
Moluccan Cockatoo Feeding cost
You have to feed grains, high-quality pellets, vegetables, sprouts, various chopped fruits, and dietary supplements.
As a moderate food, you should give them seeds, nuts, and dried fruits. To keep them entertained, you can provide the birds, branches with leaves as a portion of additional food.
You have to spend around $300 to $400 annually with how much Moluccan cockatoo eats for their feeding. For their entertaining purpose, you have to give them treats. This costs up to $25 to $40 per month.
Vet cost
There is a possibility of fatty liver disease, bumblefoot, psittacine beak disease, some serious feather disease seen in the Moluccan.
Therefore, you have to check your bird regularly. Otherwise, you can’t identify the feather disease and the bird plucking out its feather.
The standard vet cost of a Moluccan cockatoo is around $50 to $200 approximately. It costs $55 per visit and for tests and surgeries, the cost increases gradually.
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Cage cost of the Moluccan cockatoo
It is the most expensive investment after buying a Moluccan cockatoo apart from the buying cost. The starting value of a cage is around $200.
In this range, you can’t expect a strong cage. The cockatoo may destroy this cage by hitting its strong beak.
A cage made by a reputed brand is stronger and costly. This strong cage costs up to $400 to $500 approximately. A cage with a larger version and high standard costs thousands of dollars.
Because of the cockatoo’s large size, the cage’s size is larger, and the cost is also high compared to the normal birdcage.
Travel cage cost
In addition to the main cage, a travel cage will be needed. You have to pay around $150 to $250 for a travel cage that will house a cockatoo properly.
In an emergency case you if the bird is sick, you have to take out it from the main cage and put it in the travel cage, and go for a vet visit. In the case of an outing of the Moluccan, the travel cage is easy to handle.
Veterinary cost and the cockatoo insurance
Without insurance, if you take your cockatoo to a vet, it could be high. Good bird insurance can avoid the high cost of any emergency occurs. But you have to know about the yearly vet cost and be prepared to spend that much. The yearly vet cost may be around $300 t0 $450.
Cockatoo toy cost
You have to keep your Moluccan cockatoo both mentally and physically healthy. To keep the bird’s mind busy and happy, you have to provide them with chewable soft toys, foraging toys, puzzles, and playgrounds. Setting up the playful environment in the cockatoo cage costs up to $40 to $90 approximately.
Stand and perches cost
For their good foot health, fou have to set ladders and perches in their cage. So the Moluccans can move around and play with them. $60 is the cost of a good internal perch. When you take out the Moluccan from its cage, it needs a sitting place.
Good quality of stand can be its sitting place. A stand with good quality can cost up to $100 to $200 approximately.
Cleaning supplies cost
For cleaning and wiping the cage regularly, you need a birdcage liner and a sanitiser that is safe for birds. Again, this is a low cost. You have to pay $10 to $20 for the cleaning supplies.
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Factors affecting the price of Moluccan cockatoo
Age and the sub-species of the cockatoo are the biggest elements that can affect the price.
The value of the bird can increase or decrease depending upon the DNA testing.
The purebred Moluccan cockatoo is more costly than the mixed sub-species.
If the cockatoo is tested and announced that it is free from a genetic disease, the cost will increase. If the cockatoo is tested positive in genetic disorder and as mixed heritage, its price will decrease automatically.
In Europe and the USA, the price is high, but it is much lower in South-East Asia and Australia because these are its native place.
The way your bird is transported to you from the breeder, it is necessary to know. Because you will pay the transport charges. If it is required, you can also ship your bird via airline.
If the bird has a blemish or mark on its feather, then the price may decrease. Moluccan with nice looking and unusual features can sell at a high value. If you buy 2 or more Moluccans at a time, then you can find a discounted deal.
Age
If a Moluccan cockatoo is not weaned and it is at its adult age, and initial point of sexual maturity, then it will be the most expensive time to buy it.
To adapt to a new and challenging environment at this age is perfect. Before the maturity period, the baby Moluccans sell at a low price because they need a lot of care and attention. Older cockatoos also sell at a very low cost.
Things to know before purchasing Moluccan cockatoo
The Moluccan cockatoo makes incredible noise, and if a person buys a cockatoo for the first time, he must not be aware of this fact.
If you cannot give them sufficient attention, they use their full energy and screams and give an unnecessary tantrums.
Because of this reason, many owners give their Moluccans to the bird’s shelter to take care of them. The bird rescue association offers you to adopt an older Moluccan free of cost.
But you have to ensure that you will look after the bird and keep it in a good environment.
Breeding of a Moluccan cockatoo
Usually, they breed once a year. The breeding moth is between December and March.
In this period, the growth of vegetation is at its peak, and sufficient foods are available. Therefore, this season is perfect for their breeding.
The perfect age for breeding for this species is 3 years old. The female Moluccans are small as compared to the males. The size range is around 17 to 20 inches. They can expand their wings up to 42 inches. The weight is around 1 to 3 pounds.
Conclusion
If you buy a Moluccan cockatoo at a low price, then be careful about the different problems of the bird.
It can be possible that the bird has behavioural problems like biting, being over noisy, aggressive towards other birds or humans.
The lower-priced Moluccan may be captured illegally and traded. In this case, it is also possible that the bird could be captured from the bird mill. So always be patient when buying and research carefully about the bird that you want to buy.
The cockatoos behave funloving, adorable, enjoyable, and creative while they are in a good mood. In case of high money investment to buy a Moluccan and look after them, but it behaves strangely and becomes louder, it is suspicious that it could be a lake of training by the breeder or illegal trading.
They are usually attention seekers. So you have to put so much effort and be dedicated to them. You have to take responsibility as a family member. If you can set your mind to face Moluccan cockatoos’ challenges, you should consider purchasing one of these breeds.
