Cunning Crew: Sydney's Kakadus Crack Human Water Fountains
Mischievous Cockatoos in Australia, Causing Havoc with Water Fountain Break-ins - In Australia, Cockatoos have been spotted successfully cracking open public drinking fountains for water.
In a surprising turn of events, Australia's beloved yellow-tailed black cockatoos have been causing a splash - quite literally! These cute, intelligent birds have learned an impressive new trick, manipulating public water fountains designed for humans. To do this intricate dance, they've got to twist a handle and hold it, using their feet, beak, and body weight.
A team led by behavioral biologist Barbara Klump from the University of Vienna, observing these birds through cameras, has noticed the cockatoos' serial tinkering at sunrise and sunset. Klump has been studying yellow-tailed black cockatoos (Cacatua galerita) for years, and she tells us, "They're so innovative and good at problem-solving that they eventually find solutions." Yet, mastery isn't instant for all the cockatoos.
Brain Over Brawn
Out of 525 attempts observed at a single fountain, the trick only succeeded 41% of the time, mostly due to disturbances from other birds. Nonetheless, nearly half of the marked birds eventually mastered the trick. Unlike the trash can shenanigans, which have seen widespread practice throughout Sydney, fountain usage has remained relatively local. Researchers suspect that differences in fountain designs across districts could be the culprit, limiting the trick's applicability.
Contrasting the well-known trash can technique, where mainly strong males participated, gender does not seem to be a factor when it comes to using water fountains. The birds' physical strength might be less relevant for accessing water, researchers speculate.
The Big Question: Why Do Kakadus Play with Fountains?
A more intriguing query remains unanswered: Why don't the cockatoos simply quench their thirst from nature's water sources? The effort put into operating water dispensers might seem excessive, but the water could taste better, or the fountains might offer increased safety from predators. More research is necessary for concrete answers.
It's clear, however, that the city's cockatoos refuse to be confined by conventions, always coming up with novel tricks to thrive in urban environments and closely observing their peers' habits - much like a trend or, in scientific terms, culture.
Watch the video above: Parrots are known for their intelligence. A new study from Vienna has now found that sulphur-crested cockatoos have remarkable adaptability.
Enrichment Data:
- The behavior of yellow-tailed black cockatoos and their ability to use public water fountains is not discussed explicitly. However, sulphur-crested cockatoos, also known to appear in Sydney, have demonstrated adaptability by figuring out how to operate twist-handled fountains. This behavior showcases their intelligence and ability to use human-designed structures effectively.
- Studies on sulphur-crested cockatoos observe success rates and gender differences in adapting to fountains, with up to 41% success rates and no apparent gender discrepancy.
- Fountain designs likely play a significant role in the success of cockatoos in accessing water. The twist-handled fountains require a specific technique involving body weight and foot movement.
- Remarkably, sulphur-crested cockatoos, similar to their yellow-tailed black counterparts, have demonstrated incredible adaptability, as they have learned to manipulate public water fountains designed for humans.
- In studies on sulphur-crested cockatoos, gender doesn't seem to be a deciding factor in the bird's ability to adapt to fountains, with both male and female cockatoos attempting the trick.
- As the Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive on the protection of animals and the environment, it would be interesting to consider the potential impact of urban water sources, like fountains, on the health and lifestyle of urban wildlife, such as cockatoos, in their food-and-drink and home-and-garden habits, and even their pet care routines in the fashion-and-beauty sphere.
