Cockatoos in Sydney, Australia, have displayed a remarkable ability to adapt and innovate by learning to use public water fountains. Despite the complexity of these fountains for birds to operate, sulphur-crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita) have managed to twist the handle to access water, a behavior that seems to be learned through imitation.
Previously, these intelligent birds had mastered the art of opening waste bins in eastern Sydney, prompting a battle of wits between humans trying to keep their bins closed and the cockatoos finding ways to open them. Now, reports from rangers in western Sydney indicate that the same cockatoos are using drinking fountains, or bubblers, in the area.
To investigate this behavior further, Lucy Aplin and her team at the Australian National University conducted a study where they temporarily marked 24 cockatoos, representing a significant portion of the local population. They observed the birds as they interacted with various drinking fountains in the area.
During the study period, the cockatoos made a total of 525 attempts to use one particular fountain, with 105 attempts made by 17 of the marked birds. This suggests that approximately 70% of the local cockatoo population, which consists of over 100 birds, tried to use the fountain.
While cockatoos typically drink from natural water sources like ponds or tree hollows, they seem to prefer using the fountains for their daily hydration needs. The researchers noted that the birds would queue up by the fountains, with dominant individuals occasionally bypassing the line.
Despite the challenges, only 41% of the observed attempts were successful. Aplin explains that operating the fountains requires the birds to coordinate their bodies in a complex manner, using their feet and body weight to twist the handle and access the water flow.
Interestingly, the researchers believe that the cockatoos are learning this behavior from each other, highlighting a form of cultural transmission among the birds. This ability to innovate and adapt to new food and water resources showcases the impressive cognitive abilities of these avian creatures.
As for why the cockatoos are using the fountains, Aplin suggests that the water may taste better than muddy pond water, or the birds may feel safer from predators at these locations. Alternatively, it could simply be a trend driven by the birds’ curiosity and thirst for exploration.
Overall, the study sheds light on the fascinating behaviors of cockatoos in urban environments and underscores the importance of understanding the adaptive strategies of wildlife in response to human activities.
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