CNN
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First, these parrots learned to open trash cans and raise food. Now they took it a step further – and found a way to turn on a water fountain for a bite along with their meals.
These are Okanos, which are imposed with Australia’s iconic sulphur. It is known for its white bird with yellow clusters on its head, and its loud lattice screams. But they are also incredibly intelligent with big brains and agile feet that allowed them to pick up new habits in urban environments.
In particular, Occato in West Sydney caught the attention of scientists with his latest drinking tricks from a public fountain. After researchers first noticed the phenomenon in 2018, they tagged 24 birds and set up cameras near the fountain in the area.
For two months in the fall of 2019, they recorded most of the tagged birds they were trying to drink from the fountain. These fountains, also known as bubblers, are operated with twist handles. It’s easy enough for humans to manipulate, but complicated for animals to grasp.
Still, Okkato did. They used various techniques: some standing with both feet on the handle, while others placed one foot on the handle and one foot on the rubber spout. Then, lower your weight and turn the handle clockwise. Hold the handle in place while twisting your head and drinking.
They weren’t always successful – it worked half the time, and five of the 10 drinking fountains in the area had a “biting mark” indicating that Cocote had been there before. But the success rate also means that Cocato was likely doing this for some time, researchers in their study said they published it in the journal Biology Letters on Wednesday.
The team had previously studied Sydney’s sulfur-imposed parrots. In 2021, they published another paper to access the food inside by lifting the bird’s newly observed newly observed abilities, with the lid of a closed trash can with its beak and feet.
These innovative behaviours are not just interesting but smart. It demonstrates the ability of birds to adapt to urban environments and the power of social learning among animals, the researchers said.
“We know that bat-like parrots are among the smartest birds, and the fact that they are very social. So, if one genius invents something, if new actions pop up, then we have the opportunity to learn from each other.”
There are a few questions that have not been answered yet. Researchers don’t know exactly why cocatoes flock to the fountain instead of other easily accessible natural water sources in the area. At first, I thought that fountains would be a backup option, especially on hot days when the local streams were dry, but that wasn’t the case.
Another theory is that birds feel safer drinking from fountains in public areas with fewer predators, or simply prefer the taste of fountain water, but that requires further research to determine.
Now, researchers want to know what else Cockatoos can do.
“We reported some very interesting innovations, some examples include thawing school backpacks and stealing school lunches,” Aplin told ABC Radio. “In some areas, school bags have become a problem that they need to bring them into classrooms rather than going outside!”
