birding-aus

Re: birding-aus Sulphur-crested Cockatoo carrying a tool?

To: jon wren <>
Subject: Re: birding-aus Sulphur-crested Cockatoo carrying a tool?
From: Brian Fleming <>
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 20:52:57 +1100
e a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo holding a 15-20cm stick of similar
> thickness to a lead pencil in its bill.
> The bird flew still holding the stick in its bill and eventually
> landed in
> another tree a short distance away. During the observation the bird
> did not
> raise its crest or call.
> Has this species learnt to utilise tools or was the stick a gift for a
> future mate? I have checked HANZAB and failed to locate any details
> for this
> type of behaviour.
> 
> Jon Wren
 
Hullo Jon - I have at times seen Suphur-crested Cockatoos fly off
carrying an edible object - such as a thistle-head or large gum-nut - in
foot or beak.  Perhaps your cocky's stick was actually something like a
dock-stem which could be stripped of seed while perched.
Incidentally all the SC cockies I've seen carrying something in foot
have been left-footed. I dont think I have seen a Galah do it.
Anthea Fleming in Melbourne
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