Cockatiel Copies Woodpecker

How Nature Works: Catbird Mimicry

The Goffin’s cockatoo is the handyman of the avian kingdom. This crested, white-feathered Indonesian bird crafts what are essentially crowbars, ice picks, and spoons to pry open its favorite fruits, making it one of very few species to not only use tools, but fashion an entire tool set. Now, researchers have shown the cockatoos appear to plan ahead for the job, toting with them the tools needed to solve a puzzle box and win a cashew. Outside of humans, carrying tools for a future job has only be