Mischievous cockatoos are picking up the knack of operating water features
Headline: Wild Cockatoos in Sydney are Turning Trash Bins and Drinking Fountains into their Urban Playground 🍽️💧
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In the heart of bustling Sydney, Australia, wild sulfur-crested cockatoos are swiftly adapting to humanity's impact on their natural surroundings, showcasing an incredible knack for urban living. While their unique strategies unfortunately lead to trouble for some species, a resilient bunch of cockatoos have discovered new ways to navigate the concrete jungle.
In 2022, wildlife biologists marveled as they witnessed a group of these feathered friends mastering the art of opening curbside trash bins on garbage day, all in the pursuit of leftovers. But their tricks don't stop there. Another flock of cockatoos has taken the skill-set one step further, figuring out the intricate workings of drinking fountains in local parks.
Recently, their antics were documented in the esteemed Biology Letters. The study revealed that these cunning cockatoos operate the drinking fountains using a clever technique that involves coordinated action with both feet. One foot often presses the twist-handle (valve), while the other grips the rubber spout (bubbler) or both feet hold on to the valve. By applying weight to turn the twist-handle clockwise, the birds enable a steady stream of water to flow, all while keeping their heads tilted to take a well-deserved drink.
Observations shared by New Atlas on June 4 shed light on the journey behind this intriguing study. Lead author Barbara Klump, associated with the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, happened upon the behavior and wondered about its frequency. To investigate, she recruited collaborators from Western Sydney University, the Australian National University, and the University of Vienna. Together, they pinpointed the fountains the cockatoos frequented and equipped cameras to monitor these hotspots. Then, they identified and marked 24 frequently visiting cockatoos. After 44 days of recording, Klump's team discovered the cockatoos attempted to use the drinking fountains 525 times over the past two years.
Success rates varied, as 41% of the birds managed to quench their thirst, with regulars achieving their goal roughly 52% of the time. Interestingly, the team's previous study on the garbage bin-opening cockatoos indicated a near identical success rate in their marked birds. Researchers speculate this likeness may reflect the physical difficulties of both tasks or the time required to learn the behavior.
Comparing observations from the previous garbage bin study with the water fountain findings, the team noticed an interesting detail – the bin-opening behavior was heavily male-oriented, while both sexes made attempts and accessed the water without evident bias. Researchers propose that either the physical demands of opening bins favor male birds or competition for limited resources may skew towards dominant males. Alternatively, the seemingly limitless water supply may allow equal access for all the cockatoos.
Regardless of the reasoning, the researchers believe that these adaptations highlight the cockatoos' with genius, a trait that will undoubtedly result in further innovative urban feats from these cunning birds.
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- In the realm of education and self-development, subjects like biology have captivated many with the fascinating adaptations observed in wild cockatoos of Sydney, who have learned to open trash bins and operate drinking fountains, showcasing their impressive urban skills.
- As learning continues to unfold, biologists are finding that these clever cockatoos have developed an intricate technique to operate drinking fountains, demonstrating their potential for future learning and adaptations in urban environments.
