Crafty cockatoos learn to use public drinking fountains

image via New Scientist

June 4, 2025, 12:01 AM

• •Sulphur-crested cockatoos in Sydney, Australia, have learned to use public water fountains by twisting a handle, a behavior they seem to copy from each other.
• •Researchers observed the cockatoos' attempts and found that about 70% of the local population tried to use the fountains.
• •The birds use the fountains for their daily drinking, often forming queues, and the behavior is seen as cultural evolution.
• •The cockatoos' innovation in accessing water resources is considered impressive, potentially driven by taste, safety, or a thirst for novelty.

Sulphur-crested cockatoos in Sydney have demonstrated cultural evolution by learning to use public water fountains. These birds twist the handles to access water, a behavior they appear to have learned from each other. Researchers studied the birds' attempts, observing that a significant portion of the local population participated. This innovative behavior, potentially influenced by water taste, safety, or novelty, highlights the impressive adaptability of these cockatoos.

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