Phys iconPhysSep 21, 2026

Sydney cockatoos reveal how animal culture helps them adapt to city life

In Australian cities such as Brisbane and Sydney, they've learned how to turn on drinking fountains by twisting the handle with their feet. In Sydney, they're even able to lift the lids of municipal garbage cans to get to the leftover food scraps inside.

Sydney cockatoos reveal how animal culture helps them adapt to city life

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In Australian cities such as Brisbane and Sydney, they've learned how to turn on drinking fountains by twisting the handle with their feet.

In Sydney, they're even able to lift the lids of municipal garbage cans to get to the leftover food scraps inside.

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In Australian cities such as Brisbane and Sydney, they've learned how to turn on drinking fountains by twisting the handle with their feet. In Sydney, they're even able to lift the lids of municipal garbage cans to get to the leftover food scraps inside. Sulfur-crested cockatoos are surprisingly smart.

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Sulfur-crested cockatoos are surprisingly smart.

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