News Animals

Wild male palm cockatoos rock out with custom drumsticks

The instruments are part of their mating display and showcase their creativity

A photo of a black male palm cockatoo sitting on a branch.

Male palm cockatoos woo mates with percussive musical displays featuring custom-crafted drumsticks, which they throw to the ground after each performance.

C. Zdenek

By Elise Cutts

- More than 2 years ago

Read another version of this article at Science News Explores

Like teenage Romeos toting sticker-plastered guitar cases, male palm cockatoos show that romancing a crush with a love song isn’t just about music — it’s also about style.