Why a cockatoo trick in Australia has scientists enthralled

[flyzipper]

I would have thought the basic behaviour of birds teaching their young to forage (among other things) would be an example of social learning, but this specific example made headlines.

Scientists have documented examples of social learning in birds, and the spread of a trick to open trash bins hints at a distinct advantage for those that easily transmit knowledge.​

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(source)​

 

[faislaq]

My dad sent this to me. I wasn't surprised, they're smart and it's only foraging.

I think the fact that the behavior spread so quickly is pretty amazing, though!

 

[Greylady1966]

It might be the parrot version of TikTok, but instead of people seeing someone eat a laundry pod and than doing the same thing, parrots actually find a new food source. You know, something useful.

 

[iamwhoiam]

No surprise. My birds watch each other and have learned from each other and it's not always the best thing.
Casey never let himself out of his cage but he saw Keno do it a few times and then he started doing the same thing.