Crafty Cockatoos Go Viral: Scientists Catch Sydney’s Feathered Geniuses Hacking Water Fountains in 2025
Sydney’s iconic cockatoos have evolved again—this time, mastering public drinking fountains and wowing scientists with urban survival skills.
- 41% – Success rate for cockatoos operating drinking fountains
- 100+ – Wild cockatoos tracked across Western Sydney parks
- First time – Wild parrots have been seen learning this water-fountain hack
Sydney’s sulfur-crested cockatoos are going viral for all the right reasons in 2025. Forget bin-diving—these audacious birds have just adopted a dazzling new city skill: operating public drinking fountains.
Captured by wildlife cameras across Western Sydney, these wild parrots are now twisting, gripping, and strategizing with their feet and beaks to turn on human water sources, providing a front-row seat to animal ingenuity in action.
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute, University of Vienna, Western Sydney University, and Australian National University tracked populations across local sports grounds and parks. Their motion-activated cameras caught a parade of cockatoos not only figuring out how to open the water taps, but also passing the technique along to their mates.
For a city increasingly defined by wildlife adapting to urban sprawl, this spectacular bird hack provides new proof that cockatoos are among the planet’s smartest feathered innovators.
Related link: Find out more about animal intelligence at National Geographic.
Q: How Are Cockatoos Opening Public Drinking Fountains?
Motion-triggered wildlife cameras revealed just how nimble these birds can be. Cockatoos approach the fountain, plant one or both feet on the twist-handle (mostly using the right foot for added dexterity), and sometimes grip the rubber spout for stability. Using their body weight, they turn the handle just like a person would. Once water flows, they swing their heads sideways to drink, while their companions perch in line behind them, ready for their turn.
The behavior was especially prevalent at dawn and dusk, following the birds’ natural daily routines.
Q: Is This a Unique Case of Urban Animal Innovation?
Scientists say this is a groundbreaking example of social learning among wild parrots. The drinking fountain trick appears to spread rapidly throughout cockatoo communities, much like the now-famous bin-opening skill first observed in 2021.
Unlike bin-raiding, which skewed heavily toward males, both genders showed equal mastery of the fountain hack—signaling that when it comes to thirst, these birds operate as a united front.
For more urban wildlife stories, check out BBC or explore fascinating bird behavior via Audubon.
How Do Cockatoos Learn These Skills?
Cockatoos are renowned for their intelligence and curiosity. Researchers suggest that their flair for problem-solving, natural attraction to novelty, and strong social bonds all fuel this learning process. New behaviors can catch on rapidly—transforming an individual’s discovery into a community trend.
Once one cockatoo cracked the code, others watched, mimicked, and adopted the routine, forming what experts call an “urban-adapted tradition.” It’s a living lesson in evolution, set against the backdrop of Sydney’s bustling suburbs.
Will These Innovations Affect City Life?
As climate shifts and city life intensifies, these water fountain hacks may be a lifeline for urban bird populations. However, they also remind residents and authorities about the adaptability—and resilience—of wildlife as they navigate a human-designed world.
For more on smart animal behavior and science updates, head over to Scientific American.
Don’t Miss Out—Watch These Genius Birds in Action and Get Involved!
Checklist: How to Spot or Support Urban Bird Innovators
- Visit local parks at dawn or dusk for prime cockatoo sightings
- Report clever animal behaviors to local wildlife authorities
- Share videos and images on social media to boost public awareness
- Support organisations like BirdLife International working to conserve wild birds globally
Keep your eyes wide open—urban wildlife brilliance is just around the corner!