Sulfur-Crested Cockatoos Master the Art of Drinking from Water Fountains
A group of sulfur-crested cockatoos in Western Sydney has recently showcased their remarkable intelligence by learning how to quench their thirst from a park water fountain. These clever birds, scientifically known as Cacatua galerita, have once again surprised researchers with their problem-solving abilities.
Previously, these birds gained notoriety for their knack of opening wheely bin lids to access food. Despite human attempts to outsmart them, the cockatoos adapted effortlessly. Now, they have taken their skills to a new level by mastering the use of twist-handle water fountains, a task that involves a complex sequence of actions.
After observing this behavior in 2018 and 2019, a team of biologists led by Barbara Klump from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Germany set up motion-triggered cameras at a park fountain to study the phenomenon further. Over 44 days, the cockatoos made 525 attempts to drink from the fountain, showcasing a 41 percent success rate.
These resourceful birds typically visited the fountain during dawn and dusk, forming a queue akin to thirsty school children after a sports session. They used their feet, bill, and body weight to manipulate the fountain and access the water they needed.
Surprisingly, the cockatoos utilized the drinking fountain regularly, not just on hot days as initially expected by the researchers. The reasons behind this behavior are still being explored, with hypotheses suggesting that the taste of fountain water, contrafreeloading behavior, or anti-predator benefits may be contributing factors.
The researchers note that this behavior seems to have spread through social learning within the local cockatoo population, establishing it as a unique tradition among these birds.
This fascinating study, showcasing the ingenuity of sulfur-crested cockatoos, has been published in Biology Letters. It highlights the remarkable adaptability and problem-solving skills of these intelligent avian creatures.
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