Science

Cockatoo study suggests birds find voluntary flight rewarding

Scientific American reports that cockatoos consistently chose voluntary flight and showed behavioral markers of optimism afterward.

Updated Sep 8, 2026 · 13:49 UTC1 reports

The short version

Researchers studying 17 Galah cockatoos found that the birds voluntarily chose to fly in nearly every offered 20-minute session.[Scientific American]
Following flight, the cockatoos demonstrated increased foraging, scratching, and crest raising, as well as greater optimism in treat-seeking tests.[Scientific American]
Stress hormone levels did not decrease as expected, and an outside researcher noted that definitive proof of bird happiness remains uncertain.[Scientific American]

Researchers evaluated 17 Galah cockatoos at a bird park to examine whether birds experience flight as rewarding.[Scientific American]
The birds chose to take flight in nearly every 20-minute window provided.[Scientific American]
Post-flight observations showed elevated rates of crest-raising, foraging, and scratching.[Scientific American]
In testing, cockatoos demonstrated higher optimism about finding walnuts after several days of free flight.[Scientific American]

Cortisol levels did not fall as anticipated after flight, potentially because physical exertion offset the drop.[Scientific American]
Scientists cannot verify with certainty whether positive behavioral responses equate to subjective animal happiness.[Scientific American]

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