“It’s one of the few examples of birds demonstrating social learning. Wind back the clock only 70 years ago and it was assumed only humans were capable of that,” Martin said.

Martin and his colleagues have also reported evidence of distinct bin-foraging “cultures”.

Cockatoos within one flock learn from each other and use the same method to flip open bins. A flock the suburb over might observe and adopt the practice but put their own spin on the technique – for example,prising a lid open with a foot rather than their beak.

“We see cultural differences between flocks,in addition to the social learning,” Martin said. It’s “exceptionally rare” to come across such a clear-cut and unique example of social learning and cultural transmission,which has also been observed in killer whales and chimpanzees.

TheClever Cockie Project has asked people to report whether cockatoos have targeted their bins (or not) as scientists map the extent and spread of the fascinating behaviour.

Techniques to deter the cockatoos include weighing down the bin lids with bricks (easily dispatched),spooking the birds with plastic snakes (the fear factor doesn’t last),wedging sneakers or metal springs into the bin’s hinge (limited success),and locks that block cockatoos but allow the bin to open when tipped by a garbage truck (seems to work,but it’ll cost you).

There’s a reason scientists have called it “an interspecies innovation arms race”.

And ecologists are studying humans as much as the birds. They’ve found people enlisted in the cockatoo bin war are more likely to adopt the methods their neighbours use to keep their bins safe – another example of social learning.

“‘Monkey see,monkey do’ of course applies to us,as well,” Martin said. “When it boils down to it,we are animals.”

The Examine newsletter explains and analyses science with a rigorous focus on the evidence.Sign up to get it each week.