Australian Cockatoos Overcome All Odds to Bust Into Bins

A hungry cockatoo pushes a brick off a bin lid, possibly socially learnt from its bird buddies. Courtesy of Barbara Klump and John Martin

New research and reports from local birdwatchers have documented a unique phenomenon of Australia’s iconic sulphur-crested cockatoos opening household kerbside bins, despite increasingly sophisticated barriers, forcing both sides to step up their game in the “arms race” between the cockatoos and the people.

The scientists monitored 3,283 bins over a few years across four Australian suburbs with abundant cockatoo activity to get a snapshot of the protection methods being used.