Sydney’s Clever Cockatoos Learn to Use Drinking Fountains—Urban Wildlife Innovation on Film Stuns Scientists
Sulfur-crested cockatoos in Sydney are now turning public water fountains on themselves, revealing stunning city survival tactics.
- 41% Success Rate: Cockatoos managed to turn on drinking fountains nearly half the time observed.
- First Ever: Wild parrots worldwide have never been seen developing such drinking techniques before.
- Non-Stop Learners: Both male and female birds mastered the skill—proving adaptability across the population.
- Urban Innovators: These behaviors spread socially, creating new urban survival traditions for birds.
Sydney’s spectacular sulfur-crested cockatoos are up to new tricks. Forget the old antics of raiding garbage bins. These street-smart birds have now been caught on camera operating public drinking fountains—spinning handles, gripping rubber spouts, and rewarding themselves with a cool, clean gulp on a hot city day.
This remarkable bird behavior wasn’t a chance event. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute, University of Vienna, Western Sydney University, and the Australian National University teamed up. Their mission: track and film cockatoos in Western Sydney as they deciphered how to manipulate human infrastructure in order to access water on demand.
Across park reserves and bustling sports fields, motion-triggered wildlife cameras rolled for weeks. The results? Cockatoos cracked the code on how to get drinking fountains flowing 41% of the time. Sometimes flocks formed neat queues, perching on fences at dawn and dusk, each waiting their turn for a drink—a remarkable image of wild routines clashing with city life.
Related: Discover more bird intelligence at Audubon and urban wildlife trends at National Geographic.
How Do Cockatoos Operate Drinking Fountains?
These clever parrots wield their strong feet like tools. Most often, one foot clamps onto the twist-handle or valve—usually their right—while the other steadies the rubber spout. Using their body weight, the birds twist the handle clockwise, releasing the cool water. In a swift motion, they duck their beaks into the stream and drink with gusto, sometimes juggling the mechanism with both feet for maximum effect.
Scientists say this is the first evidence of wild parrots developing mechanical drinking behaviors. It’s a city survival skill born of intelligence, opportunity, and imitation.
Q&A: Why Are Cockatoos So Innovative in Cities?
Q: What drives urban cockatoos to develop new skills?
A: Encroaching cities shrink natural habitats, pushing cockatoos to innovate. Their natural intelligence, curiosity, and social learning help them thrive in constantly changing environments.
Q: Is this new drinking trick spreading?
A: Yes! Unlike bin-opening, which was mostly a male skill, both male and female cockatoos mastered fountain-drinking. This suggests rapid, widespread learning through observation and imitation.
Q: What time are cockatoos most active at fountains?
A: Researchers observed the birds flocking to fountains mostly at dawn and dusk, coinciding with the coolest times and natural hydration routines.
How Can You Spot or Help Urban Cockatoos?
If you stroll through Sydney parks at sunrise or sunset, watch for cockatoos gathering near fountains—they may be showing off their new city-wise tricks!
Want to help urban wildlife? Ensure drinking fountains and parks stay clean and accessible. Report broken fixtures so birds and people alike can stay hydrated. Learn more about city bird behaviors at BirdLife International.
How to Support Urban Innovators Like Cockatoos
- Keep park facilities tidy—litter-free zones support safe wildlife interactions.
- Share sightings of clever birds on community science platforms.
- Advocate for green spaces and water points in city planning.
Ready to witness nature’s marvels in your city?
Urban Wildlife Action Checklist
- Visit park fountains at dawn or dusk—bring your camera!
- Spot and record creative cockatoo behaviors; share with local conservationists.
- Promote wildlife-friendly urban policies in your community.
- Stay curious and spread the word—these city parrots are rewriting the rules for urban wildlife, and you can help!
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