r/bluemountains • u/Millionmeerkats • 8h ago
Living in the Blue Mountains Cockies go wild
I heard the other day that the enterprising cockatoos of Ellison PS / Winmalee vicinity have learned that if they work together, they can open the zips on the kids’ school bags if left outside. They then carry the lunchboxes up into a tree and drop them from a height so they open, and then the buggers take the food. Apparently they are now listening for the school bell as their cue for snack time.
I also heard the Hazo cocky gang can open the council bins now - even if they have the clips on them- they have learned to work together to manage it and can do it quickly now.
Wondering if there might be some cross-village professional learning plans ahead to create the most efficient flock of all?
Good Mountain folks of Reddit- have you seen any of this? Anything else to add?
There is a researcher that’s tracking learned behavioural adaptations of native birds in urban environments and I reckon they’d find this pretty fascinating!
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u/Same-Turnip3905 7h ago
I love birds, those cockatoos and ravens are the king of Australian schools. It's hilarious to see them at recess, lunch times and after school looking for scraps. They are so smart.
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u/fionsichord 7h ago
Hahaha I’m not surprised. Blooming ruffians!
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u/Millionmeerkats 7h ago
I still haven’t quite forgiven them for taking EVERY SINGLE GRAPEFRUIT off my tree, taking ONE bite from each, and discarding them across the garden. I can’t help but love them despite their sins.
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u/TieHungry3506 8h ago
They peaked when that video was circulating of them ripping off anti bird spikes in Katoomba street.