Emergence of a novel drinking innovation in an urban population of sulphur-crested cockatoos, Cacatua galerita

Abstract

The spread of innovation has been proposed as a potentially important source of adaptive behavioural responses to anthropogenic change. Yet, while a diversity of urban innovations have been documented in animals, there are relatively few examples of these spreading to form local traditions. One notable example is the ‘bin-opening innovation’ in sulphur-crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita), where individuals open household bin lids to access food waste, with this behaviour spreading across southern Sydney, Australia. Here, we describe a second innovation in this species, the ‘drinking-fountain innovation’. Individuals from a population in western Sydney drink from twist-handle public drinking fountains, with this behaviour persisting over at least 2 years. Successful operation requires a coordinated sequence of actions, with only 41% of observed attempts ending in success. Intensive observation at one drinking fountain over 44 days revealed 525 attempts and 46% of marked individuals successfully engaging in the behaviour, with individuals visiting at dawn and dusk in line with expectations for use of a water resource. Public drinking fountains vary in design between local councils but are generally widespread. Yet, to our knowledge, this behaviour has not been observed elsewhere. Altogether, this suggests that this drinking innovation has spread to form a new urban-adapted local tradition.