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https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-teach-cockatoos-to-play-golf-for-science>
"Goffin's cockatoos have edged parrots closer to corvids in the battle of the
brainiest birds, by revealing their extraordinary ability to use composite
tools.
Using more than one tool simultaneously played a huge role in humanity's
technological development, but it's a skill that's rarely been observed in
other animals. Chimps are a rare example, using a hammer and anvil to crack
nuts.
Goffin's cockatoos (Cacatua goffiniana), known for their innovative ability to
create novel tools and craft cutlery, have just provided the first example of
composite tool use outside of primates.
First author biologist Antonio Osuna-Mascaró from the University of Veterinary
Medicine in Vienna and colleagues designed an experiment they called the Golf
Club Task. It's a puzzle box with a green carpeted floor that requires a ball
to be inserted then putted along with a stick into a hole, to trigger the
release of a reward.
This proved easy for some of the bird brains in the experiment. Out of 11
cockatoos, 5 were able to solve the task – all drastically reducing their trial
time suddenly once they understood."
Via 7B'JaJaDa.
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
