Watch Sydney’s Clever Cockatoos Master Public Water Fountains in Startling Urban Survival Twist
Sydney’s sulfur-crested cockatoos stun scientists, learning to operate public water fountains and thrive in the city. Here’s how they do it.
- 41%: Success rate of cockatoos activating fountains for water in Sydney parks
- 100+: Wild sulfur-crested cockatoos filmed using this urban trick
- Zero gender gap: Both males and females equally adept at the new skill
- Peak times: Most action filmed at dawn and dusk
Sydney’s cheeky sulfur-crested cockatoos—already famous for their bin-raiding antics—have added a jaw-dropping new skill to their street-smart toolkit. According to a 2025 international study, local flocks have figured out how to twist the handles of public drinking fountains and quench their thirst with city water, astonishing both scientists and Sydneysiders alike.
The discoveries come from a collaborative project involving the Max Planck Institute, University of Vienna, Western Sydney University, and Australian National University. Researchers rigged motion-sensitive cameras across Western Sydney’s parks and sports fields, capturing wild cockatoos in the act. In vivid scenes, the birds work the fountain: one foot pressing the valve, the other gripping the spout, then pivoting their bodies to gulp down the water—sometimes while their friends wait eagerly on the sidelines.
How Did Cockatoos Crack the Code of Drinking Fountains?
Scientists traced how the behavior spread across flocks. The birds didn’t just stumble onto the trick—one pioneer learned it, then others watched and duplicated the stunt, a rare example of wild parrots passing on an innovative urban skill through social learning. The cockatoos quickly turned water fountain operation into a hot new trend, lining up in the early mornings and dusky evenings for their chance at a fresh drink.
Notably, this isn’t the first urban hack for these birds. Previous studies showed cockatoos prying open wheelie bins across Sydney, teaching each other to feast on easy leftovers. But unlike the male-dominated bin heists, the fountain feat is an equal opportunity affair—both male and female cockatoos showed the same ability and enthusiasm.
Q&A: What Makes Urban Cockatoos Such Adaptable Geniuses?
Q: How do cockatoos learn these complex urban behaviors?
A: The birds use observation and imitation—if one cracks the trick, the rest soon follow. This rapid, grassroots “social learning” turns smart hacks into new traditions.
Q: Why are cockatoos thriving in stressful city environments?
A: Their curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving brains let them see opportunity where others see obstacles—like turning a city fountain into a bird-friendly hydration station.
Q: Are humans helping or hurting cockatoo innovation?
A: Urban sprawl and habitat loss pose real threats, but manmade resources like bins and fountains have also become unexpected lifelines for clever birds.
How-To: Spot Cockatoo Genius in Your Local Park
1. Visit parks or sports fields in Western Sydney—especially near dawn or dusk.
2. Watch drinking fountains or bin areas for bird activity.
3. Look for cockatoos perching, exploring, and collaborating on tricks.
4. Keep your camera ready—these urban innovators might just put on a show.
Curious about avian intelligence? Check out more on animal behavior at National Geographic and explore conservation tips at WWF.
Get Involved: Witness or Film Cockatoo Intelligence!
- Visit your nearest city park at sunrise or sunset
- Watch for creative bird behaviors around bins and fountains
- Share photos and videos with local wildlife groups
- Support urban conservation to help wildlife thrive
Stay tuned for more incredible stories as Sydney’s boldest birds keep rewriting the rules of city life!