Moluccan cockatoos possess unusual feathers that break down into tiny particles of keratin. This powder helps make their other feathers water-resistant and easier to clean. Unlike many other bird species that rely on an oil-producing gland for this function, the Moluccan cockatoo lacks such a gland. They are highly social birds that travel in flocks. The flock engages in collective foraging, and members alert each other to the presence of predators. Their diet consists of seeds, nuts, fruits, coconuts, and occasionally insects.

 

The population of Moluccan cockatoos is declining due to trapping for the exotic pet trade and habitat loss. At the peak of the trapping activity, more than 6,000 birds were captured from the wild annually. Currently, only around 2,000 individuals remain in the wild. Despite their protected status, illegal trapping persists to this day.

 

Moluccan cockatoos have a potential lifespan of up to 60 years.