On a scorching hot day in Sydney, a group of clever cockatoos has found a unique way to quench their thirst — by using park drinking fountains. These brainy parrots have learned to twist the handle of the fountain to release water, providing them with a refreshing sip on a sweltering day.
Researchers, led by cognitive ecologist Lucy Aplin from the Australian National University, observed these sulfur-crested cockatoos in action. The team first noticed the birds using a drinking fountain in a western Sydney park in September 2018. After confirming with park rangers that this behavior was common among the local cockatoo population, the researchers set up cameras near a fountain in Charlie Bali Reserve to capture the birds in action.
The cockatoos grip the fountain with one foot and twist the handle with the other, using their body weight to compress the spring inside and release the water flow. This requires a great deal of coordination and skill on the part of the birds.
Surprisingly, the researchers found that about 70 percent of the local cockatoo population attempted to use the fountains, with half of them successfully getting a drink. This widespread behavior suggests that using the fountains may be a local cultural tradition among the cockatoos, similar to their habit of lifting open the lids on household trash cans in the south of the city.
Aplin notes that while animal cultures are well-documented, drinking cultures are relatively rare. She compares the cockatoos’ behavior to chimpanzees using moss sponges to drink, highlighting the unique nature of their fountain-drinking tradition.
The researchers are now eager to understand why the cockatoos go to such lengths to use the fountains when there are nearby streams available. The birds seem to congregate at the fountains, patiently waiting their turn to drink, sometimes queuing for up to 10 minutes.
There are several possible explanations for this behavior. It could be that the fountains provide a safe, predator-free environment for the cockatoos to drink. Alternatively, the act of gathering at the fountain may promote social cohesion among the birds. And of course, there’s always the possibility that the water simply tastes better than what’s available in a nearby creek.
“I think all three are possible,” says Aplin. The researchers hope to delve deeper into the motivations behind this fascinating behavior and uncover more about the unique drinking culture of Sydney’s cockatoos. The world of technology is constantly evolving, with new innovations and advancements being made every day. One of the latest trends in the tech industry is the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. AI has the potential to revolutionize many aspects of our lives, from healthcare to transportation to entertainment.
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