Sydney’s Sulfur-Crested Cockatoos Are Outsmarting the City—See How These Urban Geniuses Turn on Drinking Fountains for a Refreshing Sip
Sydney’s cockatoos master public drinking fountains, showcasing creative problem-solving and adaptation to urban life in a new 2025 study.
- 41% of cockatoo attempts at fountain turns result in a drink
- 0 gender difference: Males and females equally skilled
- First wild parrots known to operate public fountains
- Multi-institution research spanned weeks in Western Sydney
Urban wildlife just upped its game. In a breakthrough observed across Sydney’s parks, sulfur-crested cockatoos have been filmed mastering public drinking fountains—turning handles with coordinated footwork and outsmarting city design, all in the name of quenching their thirst.
This feathered intelligence isn’t just a quirky sideshow. According to a new study from leading research institutes—Max Planck Institute, University of Vienna, Western Sydney University, and Australian National University—these birds may be creating a new urban tradition and redefining how wild animals adapt to cityscapes.
How Did Cockatoos Learn This Ingenious Urban Hack?
Scientists set up motion-triggered cameras across sports fields and local reserves in Western Sydney, capturing weeks of surprising footage. Parrots approached the fountains, gripped the handle using their right foot—sometimes both—and twisted just enough to start the water flow. Then, swiftly, the birds would tip their heads down and drink, while other cockatoos queued up for a turn.
Researchers noted no significant gender differences in this behaviour—a striking contrast from earlier bin-opening tactics, which mostly involved males. This time, females proved just as adept.
Q: Why Are Cockatoos Becoming Such Urban Survivalists?
Urban life presents stiff challenges, from food scarcity to unpredictable water sources. Experts believe that cockatoos’ flair for innovation and social learning makes them uniquely poised to thrive in the city. The birds not only crack open garbage bins for food waste—previously documented in Sydney—but now use fountains to beat the heat, often at dawn and dusk when water is vital.
To learn more about urban wildlife intelligence, explore the latest research at National Geographic and groundbreaking animal behaviour studies at Science Magazine.
How Do Cockatoos Share These Skills?
The study emphasizes social learning. Observing one bird operate the fountain inspired others, quickly spreading the technique across flocks. Scientists describe small queues of cockatoos lining fences, waiting their turn, further underscoring the communal aspect of this new survival trick.
Q: Could This Behaviour Spread to Other Cities Worldwide?
Potentially. Experts point out that cockatoos’ knack for adopting and transmitting new skills could help these traditions pop up anywhere urban parrots are found. This supports new findings on how animal culture evolves in the wild, with birds sharing and refining behaviour over time.
How Can We Help Support Urban Wildlife Innovators?
Urban planners and nature lovers alike have an opportunity to support these clever birds. Ensuring access to clean water and safe green spaces empowers wildlife to coexist with humans—even as cities grow busier.
Discover how smart animals survive in cities at BBC and dive into the world of conservation at World Wildlife Fund.
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Don’t Miss Out—Watch Urban Intelligence in Action!
Urban Cockatoo Survival Checklist:
- Secure clean water sources in public parks
- Support spaces for wildlife observation and research
- Encourage sharing of citizen science findings
- Stay informed about unique animal adaptations
Next time you spot a cockatoo in your city, keep a lookout—they may just surprise you with their smarts!