A wild cockatoo in Sydney, Australia, has mastered the art of drinking from a fountain with a twisted handle. Using its feet to turn the knob and applying its weight to keep it open, the bird cleverly alternates between drinking and waiting at different fountains, showcasing captivating footage.
A survey published in the Journal on June 4th indicates that this behavior has become a new local tradition. Biology Letters conducted video analyses of these cockatoos, highlighting their skills in manipulating the fountain.
Urban wildlife exhibits remarkable adaptability. Rapid changes in urban environments challenge animals to innovate and solve new problems. For instance, some city birds adjust their songs to be more perceptible amidst noise pollution and use alternative structures for nesting. Research links brain size and innovation in bird species that inhabit cities, which translates to enhanced problem-solving skills.
Cockatoos are particularly intelligent and are known to use tools, solve puzzles, and even play golf. The sulfur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) native to Australia has gained a reputation in Sydney for learning how to open trash cans, earning the nickname “Garbage Parrot.” They have also been observed driving away humans trying to deter them, a phenomenon scientists refer to as “innovation arm race.”
“[Cockatoos] exhibit playful curiosity,” explains Alice Auersperg, a cognitive biologist from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, who was not involved in the recent study. “They demonstrate persistence in manipulating objects, particularly when their actions yield rewards.”
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In 2018, a researcher in western Sydney witnessed a sulfur-crested cockatoo waiting in line for drinking fountains. “When I shared this finding with our lab, everyone was thrilled, and we immediately began brainstorming ways to explore this unusual behavior,” said Lucy Aprin, a cognitive ecologist at the Australian National University.
The researchers employed two motion-triggered cameras around one drinking fountain, featuring a rubber top with embedded spouts and spring-loaded twist handles. Video analysis revealed that manipulating the fountains is not merely a chance occurrence; it demands fine motor skills and a sequential set of actions. The cockatoo uses both feet to operate the twist handle, applying weight and turning it clockwise to keep the handle from resetting. Approximately 50% of cockatoos observed successfully opened the fountain in the recorded footage.
“I wasn’t surprised to find cockatoos in Sydney learning to use water fountains,” said Berenika Mioduszewska, a cognitive researcher at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, who was not part of the study. “These birds are naturally curious and manipulators. If the fountain’s design aligns with the cockatoo’s abilities, it’s only a matter of time before they discover it and start experimenting with it for water.”
According to Aprin, individual innovations likely trigger this behavior, which subsequently spreads among local birds through observation. However, specific cockatoos exhibit their own unique styles when using the fountains, suggesting they might have adapted their techniques through individual trial and error.
“This indicates that the behavior is becoming common and well-established within the local bird community. Some birds are quite adept, while others are still learning,” Aprin noted. “It points to a developing ‘drinking tradition’ among the residents.”
The reason why these birds opt to master the complexities of drinking from fountains rather than selecting alternative water sources remains uncertain. Despite possible lines formed by more accessible sources, cockatoos seem to prefer the open area of fountains, potentially favoring the taste of the water or feeling more secure from threats due to their visibility.
This research is part of a larger initiative, introducing the Clever Cockatoo Project, which investigates how behavioral adaptability contributes to the survival of cognitively advanced species like the cockatoo in urban settings.
“The findings also underscore the significance of persistence,” said Mioduszewska. “Longer attempts at fountains, particularly when fewer distractions are present, markedly increase the likelihood of success.” This offers insightful lessons from the cockatoo: when honing a skill, it’s crucial to remain focused and minimize distractions.
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Source: www.livescience.com