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.
Heavy bricks placed on bins were among fifty ways that Australians have come up with to prevent hungry cockatoos from opening their bins. Others have water bottles or shoes jammed into the lid’s hinge to keep the cockatoos at bay….