News Animals

Aussie cockatoos use their beaks and claws to turn on water fountains

Using their dexterous digits, the birds imbibe from infrastructure designed for humans

Sulfur-crested cockatoos (shown) at a park in western Sydney use coordinated twisting and leaning to turn open drinking fountains for a refreshing drink.

Klump et al.

By Jake Buehler

On a hot day, a few glugs from a park drinking fountain can be a major relief — and some of Sydney’s cockatoos agree.