Concurrent Tool-Use in Goffin's Cockatoos

Abstract

Tool-use was long thought to be largely absent in the animal kingdom, being a trait exclusive to humans and a few primates. Today, this view has been expanded to a range of families such as some birds, cephalopods,  and a range of mammals. Associative tool-use, the use of two or more tools in combination, has also been observed in some apes, and birds like crows and cockatoos [1]. The most frequently observed form of associative tool-use in such animals is sequential tool-use, which involves intermediate steps like using one tool to retrieve another before achieving a goal. However, concurrent tool use, using two tools simultaneously to achieve a single goal, has only been observed in humans thus far [2]. Investigating whether this is a clear distinction between human and non-human animal tool-use is important for identifying key evolutionary milestones. The current study aims to identify whether this skill is present in Goffin’s Cockatoos, and if yes, to what extent. Observations from sequential tool-use studies [3] suggests that these birds have the physical capabilities, and perhaps the cognitive capabilities too, for concurrent tool-use. The study will have the cockatoos combine two types of tools they are familiar with: a longer hook-tool used for pulling, and a shorter stick-tool used to knock off a desirable item (cashew nut). The paradigm is constructed out of plexiglass and wood, in order to provide both sturdiness and visibility for the birds. The Cockatoos tested will be held in captivity with enough space to freely explore the apparatus alongside a range of other stimuli.  The current presentation includes a detailed description of the materials and the paradigm, as well as the background research. Based on past observations it is hypothesised that some Goffin’s Cockatoos will be able to use two tools, with different and complementary function, simultaneously to achieve a single goal, demonstrating concurrent tool-use. The current state of the study is before the testing and habituation phase. Apparatus to be used is currently being prepared according to the methodology. If the hypothesis is correct, the implications are two-fold. Firstly, it will be demonstrated that non-human animals are perhaps one step closer to us in their innovativeness than we previously thought. Secondly, this would showcase an interesting parallel evolution of the same cognitive ability, in two relatively distant species.

References

[1] O’Hara, M. et al.,“Wild goffin’s cockatoos flexibly manufacture and use tool sets,” Current Biology, vol. 31, no. 20, p4512-4520.e6, 2021. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.08.009.

[2] Colbourne, J.A., Auersperg, A.M., and Beck, S.R., “Children’s limited tooling ability in a novel concurrent tool use task supports the innovation gap,” Scientific Reports, vol. 14, no. 1, 21374, 2024. doi: 10.1038/s41598024-71686-8.

[3] Osuna-Mascaró, A.J. et al., “Flexible tool set transport in Goffin’s cockatoos,” Current Biology, vol. 33, no. 5,  p849-857.e4, 2023. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.01.023.