A new study suggests that Goffin's cockatoos may be dunking food in yogurt to enhance its flavor, rather than just for texture. Researchers observed the birds repeatedly dunking cooked potato and pasta into blueberry soy yogurt, demonstrating a clear preference for the flavored combination.
Whether you savour Ottolenghi’s recipes or prefer a feast from Nigella’s cookery books, humans enjoy mixing flavours and textures when preparing food. Now research suggests some cockatoos do too.dunk dry rusks in water before eating them, just as some people enjoy dunking a biscuit in tea, apparently reflecting a penchant for a soggy texture.
The duo then carried out 14 trials, each lasting 30 minutes. During each trial, a group of 18 birds was presented with bowls of either pasta and cauliflower or potatoes and carrots alongside three dips: blueberry soy yoghurt, plain soy yoghurt and fresh water. The team say it is unlikely the birds were dunking the food to make it soggy as the snacks were already soft, the birds did not dunk food in water, and the cockatoos only dunked food in soy yoghurt for about three seconds – as opposed to more than 20 seconds when previously observed dunking dry rusks in water.
The team said the birds were very vigorous in their dunking: dragging, rolling and pressing the food in the soy yoghurt – possibly to increase coverage.
ANIMAL BEHAVIOR COCKATOOS FLAVOR PREFERENCE FOOD DIPPING RESEARCH
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Food, more food and another tale of technology pastPlus, it’s time for Easter eggs, like it or not
Read more »
Eyre Peninsula's Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoos Facing ExtinctionThe yellow-tailed black cockatoo population on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula is critically low, with estimates of fewer than a dozen birds remaining. The devastating 2005 Wangary bushfire and habitat loss have played a significant role in their decline. Experts call for translocating mature adults from other regions as a potential lifeline for the species.
Read more »
Slam Dunk Ace Showers Phoenix Open with BeerEmiliano Grillo's hole-in-one at the iconic par-3 16th sends fans into a frenzy at the rowdiest hole in golf. The ace helps Grillo in his bid to make the cut at the $US9 million event, led by Belgian Thomas Detry.
Read more »
Brisbane City Council Cracks Down on Food Safety ViolationsAlmost 50 food venues in Brisbane faced legal action last year for serious food safety breaches, according to new data. Brisbane City Council issued fines totaling nearly $150,000 and hundreds of improvement notices after identifying issues like cockroach infestations, rat droppings, and unclean hand basins. 47 businesses were prosecuted, resulting in an additional $670,000 in penalties. Despite the findings, Queensland Health reported standard rates of food-borne illnesses, highlighting the importance of safe food handling practices.
Read more »
Yoplait: The Ultimate Solution for Busy Parents' Snack Time StrugglesWith the school year approaching, Yoplait, Australia's leading family yoghurt brand, offers a convenient and delicious solution to the lunchbox dilemma with its YOP and Petit Miam yoghurt pouches. These squeezable pouches provide a quick, nutritious, and tasty snack that both parents and kids can enjoy.
Read more »
Curtis Stone on Love, Food, and Life After LossThis week, Benjamin Law sits down with Michelin-starred chef Curtis Stone to discuss a range of topics, from his wife Lindsay to his late father-in-law, exploring the interconnectedness of family, food, and life's experiences.
Read more »