Researchers noticed that Goffin's cockatoos dip solid foods into a bowl of water. This behavior resembles how we dip cookies in tea.
Gently and Appetizing!
During their research, scientists from the University of Vienna placed bird feed (croutons, dried fruits, seeds, and bird pellets) in bowls inside the aviary and filled containers with water.
For 12 days, the team recorded which birds dipped their food, which specific products they moistened, how long this lasted, and whether they ate these pieces afterward.
The researchers found that seven out of 18 cockatoos dipped pieces of their food at least once, with croutons being the most popular. The two most “active” cockatoos preferred to eat the feed in a wet form, but only croutons. Dried banana chips and coconut flakes were also occasionally dipped in water, but almost no one ate the wet dried fruits.
“This behavior apparently mainly concerned croutons, which easily absorb water and become soft,” the researchers noted.
The scientists also observed significant differences in how long cockatoos left their pieces of croutons in the water. Some birds kept the food in the water long enough for the center to become soft.
Why Birds Do This
Since the birds are kept in captivity, they might be imitating natural behavior — washing their prey. However, this hypothesis seems unlikely, as the parrots did not attempt to wash all the food they were given.
Ultimately, the team concluded that the birds likely dip croutons in water to soften them, aiming to improve the texture. The researchers emphasize that such behavior requires impulse control and the ability to delay gratification, indicating the creativity of the birds in the context of food preparation.
