Moluccan Cockatoos of Aves International 2000 babies

(updated 5/31/00)

Our newest inhabitant of the nursery is a lovely baby Moluccan Cockatoo, hatched 3/13/00. The bright yellow down is typical for most cockatoo species. Within a few hours the down will fluff out. This helps the chick to maintain its body temperature.
The baby Moluccan has no siblings so here it snuggles with two just-hatched Congo African Greys. These will be separated in two days as the Moluccan will be too vigorous in its feeding response for these little Greys.

At ten days of age on 3/23/00, this little Moluccan Cockatoo already weighs 122 grams. Its eyes are just about ready to open and it will start to pinfeather in a few more days.

On 3/31/00, at two and a half weeks of age the chick has its eyes open and is just beginning to sprout pinfeathers. Pigment is starting to form in the feet and the beak is turning darker.

At three and a half weeks of age on 4/7/00 and weighing 475 grams, this Moluccan chick is growing very quickly. It is truly amazing to note how much the feet have grown in one week! (see previous photo) Its left leg now carries one of our traceable closed bands. This chick's pinfeathers show that it will sprout beautifully pigmented feathers. Note how the skin is turning blue- don't worry- this is normal ;^).

This Moluccan chick is going to have beautiful peach-colored plumage. Natural carotenes in the formula that we feed enhance the natural coloration of our birds. We feed carrots, yams, and corn in our hand-feeding formula. On 4/15/00, the baby is a mass of pinfeathers!

On 4/25/00, the baby is getting quite large. It is feathering quickly and will soon be ready for a cage.

The baby Moluccan Cockatoo is about ready to go to a weaning cage on 5/9/00. Although this chick is already quite large, it has nearly two more months before it will fully wean. Large cockatoo species take about four plus months to wean completely.

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