Current Events > Birds are evolving in Australia

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jun/04/cockatoos-drink-from-sydney-water-fountains

Sulphur-crested cockatoos in Sydney have worked out how to operate drinking fountains, with footage showing the white birds gripping and turning the handle before leaning in for a sip.
Researchers set up camera traps and recorded the birds taking turns at a drinking fountain in western Sydney. Scientists observed more than 500 attempts over 44 days and revealed the birds were successful about 46% of the time.

The behaviour consists of a combination of actions involving both feet, bill and shifting body weight to start the water flow, the researchers said in their paper.

Dr John Martin, a senior ecologist at Ecosure and co-author of the study, said they stumbled on the complex behaviour at a twist-handle-operated bubbler located in a western Sydney sports field while surveying cockatoo foraging habits.
So they would go and stand on it, and then they would have to grip the handle and actually push it forwards to activate it, and then lean over and have a drink.

Today, water fountains; tomorrow, the world!

Birds are so cool.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/3/38c342f1.jpg

is there a video?

Birds are actually quite intelligent. Some of the smartest animals in the world.

Umbreon posted...

Birds are actually quite intelligent. Some of the smartest animals in the world.

Yup. Crows are a great example of this, they're said to be as smart as human children.

Metal_Gear_Raxis posted...

Yup. Crows are a great example of this, they're said to be as smart as human children.

As somebody who works with human children, that doesnt feel like much of a flex.

Glob posted...

As somebody who works with human children, that doesnt feel like much of a flex.

But can the children at your work fly? Checkmate.

MJOLNRVII posted...

But can the children at your work fly?

Not independently, no.

Glob posted...

Not independently, no.

If your children are using teamwork to fly, that's actually impressive.

Umbreon posted...

If your children are using teamwork to fly, that's actually impressive.

Its only impressive if the flight is sustained. Chucking each other around is easy enough.

Look up the movie Parrot Kindergarten if you have any doubts about how smart parrots are.

MJOLNRVII posted...

But can the children at your work fly? Checkmate.

Depends how hard you throw them

This just in, Australian spiders grow wings to murder smart birds!

I'll be seeing those there later this year!!!

I mean, this isn't evolution, it's just learning.

Evolution would be if cockatoos who have a foot better suited to gripping the handle began replacing those who don't.

On May 16, 2025, the Eris rocket, developed by Gilmour Space Technologies, was set to launch into orbit. But just before liftoff, its payload fairings unexpectedly detached.

According to the developers, a power surge may have triggered the mechanism prematurely. Footage from the launch pad shows a large white cockatoo tugging at ground cables. As the company put it: Not saying this is the root cause of our electrical issues... but were not ruling him out!

An investigation is ongoing, and Gilmour is required to submit a report to the national regulator. For now, the birds cameo appearance isnt considered conclusive evidence.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/7/7c8eda55.jpg

https://durovscode.com/australian-rocket-launch-disrupted-by-a-cockatoo

DiScOrDtHeLuNaTiC posted...

I mean, this isn't evolution, it's just learning.

Yeah but they evolve if they level up while knowing Fountain Drink

May the cockatoos handle the world better than we have. I for one welcome our new parrot overlords.

Umbreon posted...

Birds are actually quite intelligent. Some of the smartest animals in the world.

How is intelligence measured?
That's my question anytime we discover "other animals are quite intelligent" as if it just happened.
I see it as humans are dumb enough to believe we're somehow more "smart" than others with nothing proving it except our own measures. What other species destroys as much? What species nearly wipes themselves out and affects climate as much?
We're just another animal on this planet.

Once the animals start using our tools, I consider that danger range of smarts.

Notti posted...

Once the animals start using our tools, I consider that danger range of smarts.

A few primates are actually tool makers

Notti posted...

Once the animals start using our tools, I consider that danger range of smarts.

Considering how we use the tools, I think we're more dangerous.
Other species use medicine.