Sydney’s Cockatoos Are Outsmarting Humans — See How These Geniuses Open Drinking Fountains to Beat the Heat
Sydney’s clever cockatoos are making headlines as new research shows they can use public drinking fountains — here’s what scientists discovered.
- 41% – Success rate of cockatoos turning on fountains for a drink
- First Ever – Wild parrots observed operating man-made water sources
- Teams Involved: Max Planck Institute, Australian National University
- Behaviour Spreads By: Social learning among local flocks
Wildlife cameras in Sydney’s parks have captured an urban evolution in action: sulfur-crested cockatoos are now using their feet and beaks to twist the handles of public drinking fountains and quench their thirst. This breakthrough, published in the journal Biology Letters, highlights how these sharp-witted birds are thriving amid city life by adapting to human environments in ingenious ways.
Every dawn and dusk, flocks of cockatoos swoop down to local sports fields and reserves across Western Sydney. Instead of just scavenging for food scraps, these birds have learned to use their body weight and dexterity to turn drinking fountain handles — a feat previously unreported in wild parrots globally. Onlookers watched cockatoos carefully grip, twist, and drink, often patiently queuing for their turn.
Researchers from leading institutions including the Max Planck Institute, University of Vienna, Western Sydney University, and Australian National University monitored cockatoos’ behaviour with motion-triggered cameras. Over several weeks, they discovered the birds succeeded in getting water 41% of the time — a striking new chapter in urban wildlife adaptation.
How Did Sydney’s Cockatoos Learn to Use Fountains?
Scientists observed that the cockatoos used both feet to manipulate the fountain handles. Usually, one foot (often the right) held the twist-handle, while the other gripped the spout. As the birds lowered their weight, they twisted the valve, releasing a precious stream of water. This impressive trick requires coordination, problem-solving, and a healthy dose of urban curiosity.
Researchers believe this newfound skill spread rapidly through social learning — with birds watching and copying each other, much like the famous bin-opening behaviour that made global headlines in recent years.
Why Are Cockatoos So Good at Problem-Solving?
Sulfur-crested cockatoos are renowned for their intelligence and adaptability. Their brains are wired for innovation and novelty, which experts say makes them fast learners in challenging environments. The drinking fountain phenomenon demonstrates that these birds are not just surviving, but thriving — continuously inventing new ways to tackle the urban jungle. Despite shrinking habitats, cockatoos are cementing their status as Australia’s ultimate urban adapters.
Do Male or Female Cockatoos Dominate the Drinking Fountain Scene?
Unlike previous research into bin-opening, which saw male cockatoos taking the lead, scientists found little difference between male and female birds in this new behaviour. Both sexes were equally adept and eager to get their share of cool, fresh water during Sydney’s scorching days.
What Does This Mean for Urban Wildlife and City Residents?
This discovery underscores a growing trend: city-dwelling animals are evolving new skills to cope with changing environments. The implications for urban planning are huge. With more wildlife learning to use human infrastructure, cities must balance access to resources and cohabitation with nature. Urban ecologists may start designing more wildlife-friendly public spaces, ensuring species like cockatoos don’t just survive — they flourish.
For more on animal behaviour and environmental science, visit Nature and Britannica.
How Can You Help Urban Wildlife Like Cockatoos?
– Keep fountains and water sources clean and accessible
– Secure rubbish bins to discourage dangerous foraging
– Support wildlife research and habitat preservation
– Observe respectfully — never feed or harass wild birds
Action Steps & Urban Wildlife Checklist:
- Notice cockatoos in your area – observe their clever tricks
- Keep public spaces tidy and wildlife-friendly
- Get involved in local environmental initiatives
- Share sightings with scientists through citizen science apps
- Spread awareness about protecting native bird habitats
Cockatoos are proving that ingenuity and adaptability are the keys to urban survival — so next time you spot one at a fountain, remember, you’re witnessing evolution in real-time. Stay curious, and support your city’s wild residents!