June 6, 2025, 8:43 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Amid the hustle and bustle of Sydney, cockatoos are causing a stir: With skillful claw maneuvers, they turn on drinking fountains—and even patiently wait their turn. But what lies behind this animal genius surprises even scientists.
Wild cockatoos in Sydney have learned to use public drinking fountains—a behavior that, according to a new study, is based on impressive learning ability and adaptability. First reported by BILD (like PETBOOK, part of Axel Springer).
With Technique and Team Spirit to the Goal
In the Australian metropolis of Sydney, wild cockatoos have developed an unusual skill: They open drinking fountains using their feet. They skillfully turn on the tap and use their body weight to keep the lever open. The parrots not only demonstrate their cleverness but also how quickly they can adapt to urban conditions.
The scientific analysis of the animals shows that operating the water dispenser requires a complex sequence of movements. Video recordings reveal that the birds use both feet—a coordinated effort that succeeds in about half of the attempts. The social behavior of the cockatoos is also interesting: They form a kind of queue to access the water.
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Origin of the Behavior—A Single Pioneer?
Initial indications of this behavior date back to 2018, when a researcher in West Sydney noticed the birds’ unusual activity. To systematically investigate the phenomenon, scientists installed cameras at several fountain locations.
The study results, published on June 4, 2025, in the journal “Biology Letters,” suggest that a single cockatoo may have started it. Other animals adopted the behavior through observation—yet developed their own technique for extracting water. Researchers describe it as a learned skill that has spread within the bird population.
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Tool Use, Patience, and Eagerness to Learn
Cockatoos are among the most intelligent bird species worldwide. Their behavior often resembles that of young children—they use tools, solve puzzles, and come up with tricks to get food or water. In Australia, they are even known for opening trash cans, earning them the nickname “trash parrots.” In cities like Sydney, this leads to a veritable “innovation race” between humans and animals.
Cognitive biologist Alice Auersperg from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna explains in an email to “LiveScience”: “Cockatoos are naturally curious and very persistent when it comes to manipulating objects.” She adds: “They are quickly reinforced when a behavior is rewarding for them.”