Watch: Clever Cockatoos Take Over Sydney’s Parks by Learning to Use Drinking Fountains Like Humans
Sydney’s sulfur-crested cockatoos are making headlines as they master water fountains—see how these smart birds are taking city survival to the next level!
- 41% — Success rate of cockatoos using drinking fountains
- 100+ — Drinking fountain interactions documented across Western Sydney
- 1st time — Wild parrots observed with this innovative behaviour
- Equal — Both males and females participate in the behaviour
Move over, pigeons—Sydney’s sulfur-crested cockatoos are rewriting the rulebook on urban wildlife survival. In an extraordinary twist, locals and scientists are witnessing flocks of these iconic white birds mastering the art of using public drinking fountains. Captured on wildlife cameras, the cockatoos can be seen balancing on metal handles, twisting valves, and taking quick sips of water, all while queues of their feathered friends line up behind them.
This isn’t just a cute story—it’s groundbreaking urban wildlife research published in the journal Biology Letters, led by a team from the Max Planck Institute, University of Vienna, Western Sydney University, and Australian National University.
How Did Cockatoos Learn This Unusual Skill?
The birds didn’t just stumble onto their new party trick. Scientists tracked their behaviour over several weeks in Western Sydney’s parks and sports fields using motion-triggered cameras. Patterns emerged: the birds approached drinking fountains mostly at dawn and dusk, times when water is crucial. Using one or both feet, cockatoos would manipulate the handles, sometimes hanging their entire body weight to keep the water running.
Social learning played a massive role. Just as previous studies observed cockatoos teaching each other to open household wheelie bins (in search of snacks), this fountain-tapping craze spread rapidly through the flocks. Where one bird went, others followed—with the success rate climbing as more individuals mastered the move.
What Makes Cockatoos Such Urban Innovators?
Cockatoos aren’t strangers to city life. According to leading experts at Sydney University and ANU, these birds are famous for being bold, brainy, and adaptable. Their high curiosity draws them to new objects and challenges—including bins, taps, and now, park fountains.
Unlike earlier bin-raiding tactics, which were mostly a male affair, the fountain behaviour is equally practiced by both males and females. This suggests the behaviour is beneficial to all, not just a way to compete for food scraps.
How Do You Spot This Behaviour in Your Local Parks?
Want to see cockatoos in action? Visit major city parks at sunrise or sunset. Look for groups of cockatoos gathered near water fountains or on nearby fences. You may even catch them patiently lining up as each bird takes a turn.
For more about how wildlife adapts in modern cities, check out resources at the National Geographic and Audubon Society.
Can Urban Birds Teach Us About Innovation?
The cockatoos’ clever water-fetching isn’t just a quirky spectacle—it’s a reminder that animal intelligence thrives in unexpected places. As cities grow, creatures like cockatoos demonstrate how urban environments can be hotbeds for wildlife innovation and new traditions.
Researchers see this as proof that urban wildlife is far from struggling—many species are evolving fresh behaviours to thrive alongside people.
Q&A: What’s Next for Sydney’s Cockatoos?
Q: Will other birds learn to use fountains too?
A: While cockatoos lead in study, scientists expect other clever urban birds may join in
Q: Should city planners change fountain design?
A: Experts recommend considering wildlife interactions for future urban infrastructure
Q: Can this behaviour spread to other cities globally?
A: Researchers say it’s not impossible, especially in cities with growing cockatoo populations
How to Help Urban Wildlife Thrive
– Install wildlife-friendly water sources
– Keep public spaces clean to discourage bin-raiding
– Support local conservation groups
– Share your own observations with researchers at your city university
Don’t miss the next wildlife wonder in your neighbourhood—keep your eyes out and join the urban nature revolution!
Actionable Summary Checklist:
- Visit a local park at dawn or dusk to witness crafty cockatoos in action
- Report unusual bird behaviour to your local university researchers
- Support parks that install wildlife-friendly resources
- Stay updated on urban wildlife trends via trusted outlets like BBC or Nature
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