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Comment by foobar1962 | Hacker News Reader

foobar1962·

There are a couple of things Aussie kids are taught from a young age: don't touch spiders; don't splash water at the pool or throw sand at the beach; and don't stick your fingers in the cocky cage.

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I shared a house with a demented Cockatoo once. He was rescued from poor conditions and didn't really know how to be a bird.

They are really smart -- like toddler smart, and very curious. They can solve puzzles, pick locks, and have epic screaming tantrums when they don't get what they want. Every. single. day.

The video below is not mine, but resembles my experience living with a crazy parrot:

https://youtu.be/BB4Qhtuxe6A?t=45

Before the council cut down the gum tree, they used to deliberately drop branches on me when I was outside. Any they could bite through, up to maybe 1.5cm thick, they would wait until I walked around the car then drop them on my head, and scream their heads off. Crafty bastards

I've seen aussie birds seek out and reposition thrown out empty energy drinks to finish off the last few drops. Apparently they act just young teenagers in many ways.

There is a post here about Kea and it links to a video of them moving traffic cones on the road, which messes with traffic.

It is very much like teenage behaviour.

It's not really crazy. Parrots can like or hate you. That's why they can be a terrible pet.

> don't splash water at the pool

why is that?

So the walkways around the pool edge don't get wet, which would cause a tripping hazard for people walking past.

You'll get boxed around the ears by your elders :)

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