Handling techniques of a disbalanced stick tool in the Goffin’s cockatoo (Cacatua goffiniana)
Abstract
Abstract Parrots (Psittaciformes) exhibit unique morphological and behavioral traits that enable flexible, dexterous tool use, often comparable to that of apes. In tool-using species, attending to weight-related cues can enhance foraging efficiency by minimizing the energetic costs of tool manipulation. Previous research has shown that Goffin's cockatoos ( Cacatua goffiniana ) can detect and utilize weight cues, but their sensitivity to unbalanced objects remains unexplored. This study examined how Goffin’s cockatoos managed an unbalanced stick tool and the individual strategies they used to complete a stick-tool box task. We carried out a series of experiments using a setup with different levels of freedom, focusing on variations in insertion techniques and the birds’ ability to distinguish unequal weight distributions. At the group level, the cockatoos tended to handle the stick with the center of mass positioned closer to their grip. The birds also demonstrated highly individualized adaptations in their techniques when solving unfamiliar problems. We suggest that individuals that did not modify their techniques in this setup may still be capable of doing so under greater task constraints. Overall, these findings provide the first evidence that Goffin’s cockatoos can detect and adjust to uneven weight distribution in tools, underscoring their behavioral flexibility and sensitivity to physical tool properties.
Read the paper
Related studies
- A Survey on Knowledge Graphs: Representation, Acquisition, and Applications
- Toxicity of nanomaterials
- The Human Gene Mutation Database: towards a comprehensive repository of inherited mutation data for medical research, genetic diagnosis and next-generation sequencing studies
- Halogen bonding (X‐bonding): A biological perspective
- Biofilm formation at the air–liquid interface by the Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 wrinkly spreader requires an acetylated form of cellulose
- Opioid Activation of Toll-Like Receptor 4 Contributes to Drug Reinforcement
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.