Scientists have discovered that cockatoos can be compared to chimpanzees in terms of intelligence 19:08

Scientists from the Veterinary University of Vienna discovered that cockatoos understand that they may need different means to get food and treat them as a set. This behavior had previously only been reported in our closest relatives, chimpanzees. Research published in the journal current biology.

Goffina cockatoos are small white parrots native to the Tanimbar archipelago in Indonesia. A recent study of wild cockatoos showed that they can use three different tools to extract seeds from fruits. However, until now it was unclear whether the cockatoos viewed these tools as a “set” or used them casually.

The scientists were inspired by chimpanzees in northern Congo who caught termites in two steps: first, they use a blunt stick to poke holes in the termite mound, and then insert a long, flexible “probe” to “catch” the termites. holes.

To mimic a termite-catching rig, the researchers gave a cockatoo a can of cashews behind a transparent pod. To get to the nut, the cockatoo had to pierce the membrane and then “catch” the cashew. They were given a short, pointed stick to dig holes in and a vertically bisected plastic straw to hold the nut.

Seven of the ten cockatoos participating in the experiment learned to successfully extract the cashew nut by breaking the membrane, and two cockatoos (Figaro and Fini) completed the task in 35 seconds on the first try. This type of behavior does not occur naturally in cockatoos, so scientists are confident that tool use is not based on innate behavior. This is supported by the fact that each cockatoo uses a slightly different technique.

The scientists also discovered that cockatoos were able to adapt to the task using different tools, and possibly also thought: the birds took turns picking up and examining different objects and then putting them back.

In some missions the birds had to decide whether the problem required one or more tools. Some cockatoos have learned to carry two tools together. This meant that they only had to make one flight, albeit with heavier instruments. Most cockatoos carried a set of tools when needed. One cockatoo, Figaro, decided not to waste time thinking and instead almost always carried both instruments with him. The scientists noted that birds rarely carry more than one object at a time, usually.