How Australia’s Clever Cockatoos Are Beating the Heat: Unlocking Urban Drinking Fountains With Surprising Skills
Sydney’s sulfur-crested cockatoos wow scientists by mastering public drinking fountains—see how these birds are rewriting the rules of city survival.
- 41% — Cockatoo attempts at using fountains end in a successful drink
- 100+ — Birds observed participating across Sydney parks
- Both Genders — Males and females equally adept at fountain use
- 2025 — Year this urban innovation was documented and published
Sydney’s cockatoos have done it again—after taking out the trash (literally), these highly intelligent birds are now hydrating in style. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute, University of Vienna, Western Sydney University, and Australian National University filmed sulfur-crested cockatoos twisting the handles of public fountains to drink whenever they pleased.
Motion-activated cameras across Western Sydney parks captured the birds gripping, twisting, and leaning onto the valves—sometimes forming an orderly “queue” for their turn. This behavior, previously unseen in wild parrots worldwide, highlights the extraordinary inventiveness found in Sydney’s feathered urbanites.
The full findings appeared in the international journal, Biology Letters in June 2025, and the footage has since fascinated scientists and city dwellers alike.
Q: How Did Cockatoos Learn to Use Drinking Fountains?
Unlike their much-publicized wheelie bin raids, where mostly male birds dominated, both male and female cockatoos in this study showed off their new fountain-tapping expertise. Researchers observed cockatoos using coordinated movements—firmly planting one foot on the twist handle, while the other gripped the spout—then leveraging their body weight to turn on the water.
This impressive trick suggests cockatoos learn socially, teaching each other just as they once did with bin-opening. As a result, these innovative behaviors can rapidly spread throughout local bird communities.
How-To: Spot Genius Cockatoos in Action
Want to witness these intelligent birds at work? Early mornings and dusks are your best bet: cockatoos flock to parks and sports fields during cooler hours, often lining up at fountains for a drink. Look for their playful, acrobatic movements—sometimes balancing on the valve, other times even squabbling over whose turn is next.
Check out organizations like BirdLife International or Audubon to learn more about parrot intelligence and urban wildlife behaviors.
Q: Why Are Cockatoos Thriving in Modern Cities?
Despite habitat loss and the chaos of city life, cockatoos are thriving thanks to their adaptability and knack for innovation. Scientists believe their attraction to novelty, flexible behavior, and social bonds help them master new urban challenges—turning obstacles like limited natural water sources into opportunities.
As global urbanization accelerates in 2025, more examples are emerging of wildlife embracing city living. Want to help urban birds in your neighborhood? Organizations like RSPB offer tips on making cityscapes more wildlife-friendly.
Next Steps for Urban Wildlife Lovers—What Can You Do?
Help local birds adapt and thrive by supporting urban green spaces, keeping drinking fountains clean, and watching for remarkable animal behavior near you!
Don’t miss out—Sydney’s cockatoos are rewriting the rulebook on urban wildlife!
Checklist for Spotting and Supporting Urban Cockatoos:
- Visit parks and sports fields at dawn or dusk
- Keep an eye on public drinking fountains for bird activity
- Report unusual bird behaviors to local wildlife groups
- Support green spaces and water sources for city wildlife
Be ready, camera in hand—you could be the next to catch these crafty cockatoos in the act!