Cockatoos are known for their dancing abilities, with at least 30 distinct dance moves identified in captive birds. The phenomenon gained widespread attention thanks to Snowball, a sulphur-crested cockatoo who became an internet sensation in 2009 for his impressive dance routines. Aniruddh Patel and his team at Tufts University later discovered that Snowball had invented 14 different movements and even combined some of them.
To explore the prevalence of dancing behavior in cockatoos, Natasha Lubke and her colleagues at Charles Sturt University analyzed 45 videos of dancing cockatoos on social media. They observed five different species of cockatoos, each showcasing unique dance moves. Surprisingly, closely related species did not exhibit similar dancing styles, suggesting that dancing behavior may be individualistic rather than species-specific.
In an experimental study at the Wagga Wagga Zoo & Aviary in Australia, researchers played music and other audio stimuli to observe the dancing behavior of sulphur-crested cockatoos, pink cockatoos, and galahs. Interestingly, the birds performed dance moves regardless of the type of audio played, indicating that their dancing may be a form of self-rewarding play rather than imitation.
The study also revealed that many of the dance moves observed in cockatoos resemble courtship displays seen in wild parrots. This suggests that the birds’ dancing abilities may have originated as a form of courtship behavior. Video evidence further confirmed that dancing behavior is present in at least 10 out of the 21 species of cockatoo.
According to Aniruddh Patel, who was not involved in the study, the findings are exciting as they demonstrate the flexibility and creativity of dancing to music in non-human species. Further research could delve into whether dancing brings enjoyment to cockatoos and if encouraging this behavior could improve the welfare of captive birds.
In conclusion, the study sheds light on the diverse and individualistic dancing abilities of cockatoos, challenging the notion that dance moves are genetically predetermined. Major Mitchell (pink) cockatoos were noted to be particularly engaged dancers, hinting at potential species-specific differences in dancing behavior. Overall, the research highlights the unique and fascinating behavior of cockatoos in response to music, showcasing their playful and creative nature.
