Natural History Wanderings

BBC Nature reported on a study in which Goffin’s cockatoos (Cacatua goffini) demonstrated the ability to open a series of five locks to get a cashew nut reward. Researchers had ten birds attempt the puzzle. One solved the problem without help in less than two hours. Several other birds solved the puzzle after watching other birds or being presented with the locks incrementally. The locks consisted of to removing a pin, followed by a screw, a bolt, then turning a wheel and moving a latch sideways. Learn more at BBC Nature – Cockatoos crack lock-picking puzzle.