Head to head
Moluccan Cockatoo vs Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo
The moluccan cockatoo and sulphur-crested cockatoo are both large white cockatoos with a dramatic crest, but their natural range and conservation outlook differ considerably.
| Moluccan Cockatoo | Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Cacatua moluccensis | Cacatua galerita |
| Native range | A small group of islands in the Moluccas | Australia and New Guinea |
| Crest colour | Salmon-pink | Bright yellow |
| Body colour | White tinged with salmon-pink | Mostly white |
| Abundance | Restricted and declining | Widespread and abundant |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Stable |
| Habitat | Rainforest | Rainforest, forest |
Moluccan Cockatoo vs Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo: common questions
How can you tell a moluccan cockatoo from a sulphur-crested cockatoo?
The moluccan cockatoo has a mostly white body tinged salmon-pink topped with a salmon-pink crest, while the sulphur-crested cockatoo instead has a mostly white body with a bright yellow crest, making crest colour one of the clearest ways to distinguish the two species.
Why is the moluccan cockatoo more threatened than the sulphur-crested cockatoo?
The moluccan cockatoo is restricted to a small group of islands within the Moluccas of Indonesia and has suffered severe historical trapping and habitat loss, while the sulphur-crested cockatoo has a much broader range across Australia and New Guinea, giving it far greater overall population security.
Do both species raise a crest display?
Yes, both the moluccan cockatoo and sulphur-crested cockatoo can raise a dramatic crest when excited, alarmed, or displaying, though the moluccan cockatoo's salmon-pink crest and the sulphur-crested cockatoo's bright yellow crest give each species a distinctly different look during the display.