Birds observed cooking their food 🦜

Goffin's cockatoos, these surprisingly intelligent birds, have once again surprised scientists. This time, they have been observed in a form of cooking aimed at improving the taste of food: dipping their food in flavored yogurt. A behavior previously only documented in primates.

Researchers from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna conducted a study to understand this behavior. They offered 18 cockatoos potatoes and noodles, as well as three dipping options: water, plain yogurt, and blueberry-flavored yogurt. Nine birds chose to dip their food, showing a marked preference for the flavored yogurt.


Statistical analysis revealed that the cockatoos dipped their food in flavored yogurt more than twice as often as in plain yogurt. No bird chose to dip its food in water. This suggests that the behavior is motivated by taste rather than other reasons such as cleaning or softening the food.

To ensure that the birds were not choosing the flavored yogurt simply because of its color, the researchers conducted a color preference test. The results showed that the cockatoos did not prefer one color over another, confirming that their choice was based on taste.

The cockatoos also showed a preference for the combination of noodles and blueberry-flavored yogurt compared to noodles or yogurt alone. Potatoes, on the other hand, were acceptable without flavoring.

This study is the first to provide experimental evidence of a food flavoring behavior outside the primate lineage. Goffin's cockatoos are known for their high cognitive abilities, including problem-solving and sequential planning.

Only two individuals had participated in a previous study on dipping dry food, suggesting that the two innovations might be distinct. Further research on the spread of this behavior within the group could shed light on how such innovations emerge and persist.

What is dipping behavior in animals?

Dipping behavior in non-human animals is a dietary innovation that can serve several purposes. This includes softening dry food, cleaning, flavoring, drowning prey, or transporting liquids.

This behavior is observed in various species, but reports on food flavoring are rare. Goffin's cockatoos have been observed dipping their food in flavored yogurt, a behavior that suggests a preference for taste.

Studies on this behavior help scientists understand how animals innovate and adapt their dietary behaviors. This can also provide clues about the cognitive abilities of animals and their problem-solving skills.

Dipping behavior, particularly for flavoring, is an example of how animals can modify their environment to enhance their food preferences.