MOLLY THE MOLUCCAN
Molly has joined us in an exchange for Abu, the male Eclectus. Molly is 12 years of age and had many things in common with Boo. Molly lived next to a male Moluccan, named Kachoo but she was not bonded nor did she want to be. Kachoo is the second male that has been attempted to attract her attention. Housed next to each other like Boo and Jazz she was not impressed. When on open play areas in the front yard she would run away from him. A couple of months prior had begun to scream louder and longer each day. And a third issue was beginning to become a biter with the woman of the house and the daughter, 11. Molly had plenty of free time but was housed in a back area of the home.
With the exception of Abu I have been able to work well and resolve yelling issues and could offer her a place in the center of the house with lots of activity around her, morning to night. I have also been able to resolve biting issues with the exception of Jada.
I do admit that this is a daunting task ahead of me and one that does intimidate me.
Molly has been here 10 days now. The honeymoon period. And we are learning who she is and what the boundaries are. Like their reputations, Molly loves to be stroked and have the feathers on her head preened. Definately has the capability of breaking windows with her voice. We have experienced it on 5 or 6 occasions this week. A few others were above the acceptable level as well. I cover Molly each time for a few minutes.
Unfortunately, my Jazzmine is not appreciative of the change and has given us many challenges this week. For the first week she yelled every few minutes and is still being covered at least twice a day. So, the environment hasn't been all peaches and cream this week. Jada is talking about Boo often as well.
Jada has also learned to imitate Molly's sounds this week which isn't a great thing. I am surprised that I haven't heard her say Molly's name yet. But I do believe it is Jada, the Grey, that she will have a great relationship with. Jada is as excitable and in need of stimulation, as Molly is. Verbal in particular, since Jada does not allow me to pick her up. Jada is passing on the rules. She reminds her not to get into trouble often. When Molly is giving kisses ~ Jada says "GREAT kisses, GOOD girl!, (does her own kisses back), Good girls get kisses! When she is getting ready to get loud, Jada advises her...."Be good, no yelling, no no no, talk nice, be a good girl."
Molly is thinking about biting me. Trying to make friends while being the "disiplinarian" in her life has challenges with these birds. Molly's nails need a lot of work. She let me file some on the one toe for a few minutes but that is as far as we have gotten on that. We also took her over to the pet store for a couple of visits. In the car she desperately wants to go to Chris and she has gotten perturbed enough to nip when I refuse her.
Molly is extremely friendly and always indulges people, talking to every stranger she comes upon with excitement and no reserve. It is wonderful to see her interact with others.
Moluccan Resources
http://www.mytoos.com/main.shtml
http://pet-birds.suite101.com/article.cfm/owning_a_moluccan_cockatoo
http://www.avianweb.com/cockatoospecies.html
http://www.birdsnways.com/cockatoo/articles.htm
http://www.petcareguides.org/pet-forum/cockatoo-forum/
http://www.birdtricks.com/Cockatoos/cacatua-moluccensis.html
http://www.crescentmoonaviary.com/Moluccan%20Cockatoos.htm
Updated: Well, my association with Molly was very short lived, 2 weeks.
I received a call from Jim. He had changed his mind about keeping Abu. We made the 2 and a half hour drive again and took Molly home. Jim would have preferred that I keep Molly, but only having a temporary placement for Boo of 10 weeks, we lack the space if Boo returns to our home to keep her.
Good luck, Molly girl.