Cockatoos prefer their noodles dunked in blueberry yogurt
February 17, 2025 12:50 AM Subscribe
Cockatoos prefer their noodles dunked in blueberry yogurt: First evidence of non-primate food flavouring behaviour. Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna are reporting that Goffin's cockatoos (Cacatua goffiniana) engage in food flavouring behaviour by dunking food into soy yogurt. Experimentally controlled tests have confirmed that the birds selectively dipped food in flavoured yogurt rather than neutral alternatives, ruling out alternative explanations such as soaking or cleaning.
To systematically investigate this behaviour, researchers conducted 14 30-minute observations during breakfast sessions. Eighteen cockatoos were given access to a food bowl containing potatoes or noodles, along with three dunking mediums: freshwater, blueberry-flavoured soy yogurt, and neutral soy yogurt. Statistical analysis showed that food was dunked in blueberry yogurt over two times more often than neutral yogurt, while no food was dunked in water. The birds also preferred directly eating blueberry yogurt over the neutral variety.
To systematically investigate this behaviour, researchers conducted 14 30-minute observations during breakfast sessions. Eighteen cockatoos were given access to a food bowl containing potatoes or noodles, along with three dunking mediums: freshwater, blueberry-flavoured soy yogurt, and neutral soy yogurt. Statistical analysis showed that food was dunked in blueberry yogurt over two times more often than neutral yogurt, while no food was dunked in water. The birds also preferred directly eating blueberry yogurt over the neutral variety.
Got to love the fact that we have another thing in common with our avian friends. I am with them all the way that pasta's main function is to act as sauce delivery system and that blueberry yogurt is more yummy than plain yogurt.
posted by koahiatamadl at 6:31 AM on February 17 [6 favorites]
posted by koahiatamadl at 6:31 AM on February 17 [6 favorites]
This is not surprising. Many cockatiel-adjacent species have strong opinions.
posted by zaixfeep at 8:05 AM on February 17 [2 favorites]
posted by zaixfeep at 8:05 AM on February 17 [2 favorites]
Cake eating possums
Noodle dunking cockatiels
The kids' story writes itself, grand finale: "Why hello Ms. Orca, lovely salmon hat you're wearing"
posted by ginger.beef at 8:08 AM on February 17
Noodle dunking cockatiels
The kids' story writes itself, grand finale: "Why hello Ms. Orca, lovely salmon hat you're wearing"
posted by ginger.beef at 8:08 AM on February 17
Cockatiels: they're just like us! The only reason my cat doesn't do something similar is that he's not dexterous enough.
posted by rednikki at 11:18 AM on February 17
posted by rednikki at 11:18 AM on February 17
Mod note: This post has also been dunked in blueberry yogurt, along with being placed on the sidebar and Best Of blog.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 6:52 PM on February 21
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 6:52 PM on February 21
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posted by BWA at 5:12 AM on February 17 [1 favorite]