Sydney’s Smartest Birds? Cockatoos Stun Scientists By Mastering Drinking Fountains Across Urban Parks
Cockatoos in Sydney are turning city drinking fountains into their own hydration stations—learn how these clever birds are adapting in 2025.
• 41% success rate: Sulfur-crested cockatoos can now operate drinking fountains on their own.
• Study tracked birds across multiple Sydney parks over several weeks.
• Technique spreads through social learning—not just instinct.
Sydney’s iconic sulfur-crested cockatoos have again proven their reputation as Australia’s craftiest urban creatures. Long known for raiding rubbish bins, these white-feathered masterminds now routinely operate public drinking fountains—twisting handles, gripping rubber spouts, and sipping from bubblers alongside unsuspecting humans.
Cutting-edge motion cameras, installed by researchers from the Max Planck Institute, University of Vienna, Western Sydney University, and Australian National University, have captured this remarkable behaviour in local reserves and sports fields. The Biology Letters journal recently featured their findings, fueling global fascination with city-dwelling parrots.
How Did Cockatoos Hack Sydney’s Water Fountains?
Wielding both feet like tiny hands, these avian engineers perch on twist-handles, leverage their weight, and turn valves clockwise until water flows. Researchers documented upbeat scenes of birds queuing at dawn and dusk for a turn at the tap. Drink requests peak in the early morning and late evening—prime hydration hours.
The behaviour isn’t a fluke. Videos showed birds using precise teamwork of feet, beaks, and bodies. Some even gripped the spout while turning, a feat requiring intense coordination and strength. Curious? Watch these smart birds in action: YouTube.
Why Are Cockatoos Adapting So Quickly?
Rather than relying on instinct, these cockatoos learn from each other. Researchers explain that “urban traditions”—like bin-raiding a few years ago and now fountain-hacking—spread fast in local flocks through social learning. This rich network allows urban cockatoos to adapt within a single season, not generations.
Interestingly, both male and female birds share these skills equally. Unlike the bin-opening behaviour, which was mostly a boy’s club, everyone now lines up for a drink, reinforcing the power of social learning among these birds.
Q&A: What Does This Mean for Urban Wildlife Worldwide?
Q: Are cockatoos unique in this behaviour?
A: While a few urban species exhibit impressive learning, experts believe cockatoos are the first wild parrots to systematically master manmade drinking systems in public spaces.
Q: Will this spread to other cities?
A: Researchers are watching closely: behavioural adaptations often move quickly between cities, as birds and people both travel and urban landscapes evolve.
How Can You Help—or Hinder—Sydney’s Clever Birds?
Love your local cockatoos? Scientists recommend observing from a respectful distance and not interfering with the birds’ learning process. City dwellers should continue supporting bird conservation organizations and local councils developing wildlife-friendly urban design.
Take Action: Celebrate Innovation, Protect Wildlife
- Spot a clever bird? Snap a photo and share it with local research groups.
- Support efforts from Australian National University and city councils promoting urban biodiversity.
- Keep public fountains clean and accessible for both people and parrot visitors.
- Never feed wild cockatoos—let natural behaviour flourish.
Stay fascinated—Sydney’s urban wildlife is rewriting the rules! Share these surprising discoveries, and do your part to keep the city innovative and wild in 2025.
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