Mischievous Cockatoos in Australia Damage Public Drinking Fountains - Cockatoos in Australia manage to break public water fountains for a refreshment.
A Ravenous Raft of Birds: Sydney's Kakadus Cracking Into Human Water Fountains
- ~2 Min Read
For some time now, these jovial fauna have been causing residents a minor headache by sifting through trash bins. Yet, they've seemingly moved on to a more refined pastime: the Yellow-tailed black cockatoos of Sydney are manipulating water fountains meant for humans. To accomplish this elaborate stunt, they must rotate a handle while maintaining bodyweight, a task that requires coordination of their beak, feet, and Gregory-Peck-esque swagger.
A panel of researchers, led by behavioral biologist Barbara Klump from the University of Vienna, has observed these cockatoos using cameras. These avian artists tend to make their appearance at sunrise or dusk by the fountains, where they tinker and twirl, kaleidoscoping water streams in the air. Klump, having delved into the intricacies of yellow-tailed black cockatoos (Cacatua galerita) for years, shared her observations with the journal "Science": "They're so brilliant and tenacious, eventually finding solutions." However, do not all birds possess this ingenuity?
Brains over Brawn
Over a period of 525 attempts at one specific fountain, the feat only succeeded 41% of the time – partly due to the meddlesome antics of other birds, noted by the team in the journal "Biology Letters." However, almost half of the marked birds eventually managed to divulge the secret. Unlike the widely renowned trash-can-opening phenomenon that has spread throughout Sydney, this fountain usage seems to have remained localized for now. The reason remains unclear – researchers suspect it could be due to the varying designs of fountains in different city districts, making the trick applicable only in certain areas.
Unlike the trash-can-opening escapades, where male birds, particularly the brawny ones, took the spotlight, there seems to be no gender disparity regarding the fountains. It appears that physical prowess is secondary to getting water, researchers speculate.
The Enigma: Why Do Cockatoos do This?
However, an intriguing question lingers: why don't these cockatoos simply sate their thirst from the free puddles or other readily available water sources? Given the effort required to operate these water dispensers, one might expect them to opt for these easier alternatives. Yet, they seem intent on breaking into these urban watering holes. Beat the heat doesn't seem to be the motivation, as research indicates an almost equivalent number of birds visiting on both cool and hot days. Could it be that the water tastes better? Or is it because these fountains offer more security from predators? More studies are needed to unearth the definitive answers.
One thing is certain: Sydney's cockatoos continue to astound with their impressive antics, adapting to life in the city – and observing their peers in the process. What starts as a random idea quickly spreads among the birds, becoming a trend or, as researchers would say, a citywide culture.
watch the video above: Parrots are renowned for their intellect.
- Cockatoo
- Water fountain
- Sydney
- Trash can
- Water tap
- Australia
- University of Vienna
- Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo
- Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo
- Birds
- The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive on the protection of animals and the environment, considering not only the unusual behavior of the yellow-tailed black cockatoos in manipulating water fountains but also their capacity for intelligence shown in this instance, which is akin to the prowess often displayed by birds in the 'fashion-and-beauty' and 'lifestyle' industries.
- Some people might imagine that pets such as dogs and cats, or even exotic species like parrots, are the only animals capable of displaying remarkable intelligence. However, the yellow-tailed black cockatoos of Sydney demonstrate that even our avian companions can exhibit such intellectual ability, as seen in their ability to operate water fountains and adapt to their urban environment.
- In addition to their amusing display at water fountains, the yellow-tailed black cockatoos may also be trained to perform tasks in the 'home-and-garden' or 'food-and-drink' sectors. These birds' intelligence, combined with their adaptability, opens up new possibilities in various fields, proving that these urban cockatoos can make great partners in 'travel' and exploration.
