Pet birds, especially parrots, have been described as moody: playful and loving one minute, demanding and aloof the next. Their body language can be both obvious and subtle, but it always provides insight into what they need and want. Understanding your parrot’s body language can greatly improve your relationship with your feathered friend.
Eyes
Birds have a unique ability to control their irises, making their pupils larger or smaller very quickly. This is known as “flashing” or “pinning”. When a bird does this, it can mean they are excited, interested, angry, scared, or aggressive. To understand what your bird is feeling, look at their eyes and consider what is happening around them and how they are standing or moving.
Vocalizations
In the wild, birds use different sounds to warn of danger, attract mates, protect their territory, and stay in touch with their flock. Pet birds use these sounds to communicate with you too.
- Singing, Talking, and Whistling: These sounds usually mean your bird is happy, healthy, and content. Some birds love to perform when people are around, while others might be quieter in company.
- Chattering: Soft chattering can mean contentment or that the bird is practicing talking. Loud chattering can be a way to get your attention, similar to what birds do in the wild before bedtime to stay connected with their flock.
- Purring: Unlike a cat’s purr, a bird’s purr sounds more like a soft growl. This can mean they are happy or annoyed. Look at other body language and the environment to understand what your bird is expressing.
- Tongue-clicking: This sound can mean your bird is entertaining herself or wants to be petted or picked up.
- Growling: Not all pet birds growl, but if yours does, it’s a sign of aggression. Check the environment for anything that might be bothering them. Avoid handling a growling bird as they don’t want to be touched.
Wings
Birds use their wings for more than just flying. They also use them to communicate.
- Wing Flapping: This can be a form of exercise, a way to get your attention, or a display of happiness. Sometimes, birds lift their wings to stretch or cool themselves.
- Wing Flipping: This can mean many things, such as anger, pain, or a way to fluff the feathers. If a bird flips its wings while hunching its shoulders and bobbing its head, it usually means they want to be fed. This can also be a mating behavior, so avoid giving attention if you want to prevent egg-laying.
- Wing Drooping: Young birds often let their wings droop before learning to tuck them in properly. For older birds, wing drooping can indicate illness, tiredness, or a way to dry off after a bath.
Feathers
Feathers can tell you a lot about a bird’s feelings and health.
- Ruffled Feathers: Birds ruffle their feathers during preening to remove dirt and return the feathers to their normal position. They may also fluff their feathers to relieve tension or stay warm. Constantly fluffed feathers can indicate illness and should be checked by a vet.
- Crest Position: Birds like cockatoos and cockatiels have expressive crests. A relaxed bird will have its crest held back with just the tip up. An excited bird will lift its crest. If the crest is very high, it indicates fear or excitement. A flat crest with crouching and hissing signals aggression.
- Quivering: Quivering feathers can mean the bird is frightened, overly excited, or engaging in breeding behavior.
Tail
A bird’s tail can also communicate emotions.
- Tail Wagging: Like dogs, birds may wag their tails when happy to see you. Tail wagging can also mean the bird is about to defecate, which is helpful for housetraining.
- Tail Flipping: This is a sign of happiness and can be seen when the bird is happy to see you, playing with a toy, or getting a treat.
- Tail Bobbing: Tail bobbing with rapid breathing after exercise means the bird is catching its breath. If this happens without exercise, it could indicate respiratory distress, and a vet visit is necessary.
- Tail Fanning: Spreading out tail feathers often accompanies other behaviors showing aggression or anger. It displays the bird’s strength and vitality.
Legs and Feet
Though not used as frequently for communication, a bird’s legs and feet can still provide important signals.
- Foot Tapping: Some birds, like cockatoos, tap their feet to show dominance, especially when they feel their territory is threatened.
- Weak Legs: Some birds fake weak legs to avoid being put back in their cage. Holding and petting the bird longer can help until they feel they’ve had enough attention.
- Hanging Upside Down: Some birds enjoy hanging upside down as part of their natural behavior and are happy and content when doing this.
- Scratching on the Cage Bottom: Birds that forage on the ground, like the African Grey, may scratch the cage floor similar to how chickens scratch the ground.
Beaks and Head
A bird’s beak is a versatile tool for grooming, eating, and communicating.
- Grinding: Beak grinding, often heard when the bird is falling asleep, is a sign of contentment and helps keep the beak in good condition.
- Clicking: Beak clicking can mean different things. A single click with eye pinning might be a greeting, while several clicks in a series usually indicate a warning.
- Wiping: Birds often wipe their beaks after eating to clean them. Some use beak wiping to mark territory, especially when introduced to new birds.
- Biting: Birds bite for various reasons like defending territory, fear, or anger. Observe other behaviors and the environment to understand why the bird is biting.
- Chewing: Birds love to chew for beak conditioning and entertainment. Providing chew toys can keep them stimulated and prevent them from chewing inappropriate items.
- Regurgitating: This is a sign of affection, as birds regurgitate food to feed their young or bond with a mate.
- Mouthing: Birds play by grabbing each other’s beaks and jousting during playtime.
- Head Shaking: African Greys often shake their heads, though the reason is not well understood.
- Head Bobbing: Birds wanting attention may bob their heads back and forth.
Postures
A bird’s overall posture can indicate their mood and intentions.
- Relaxed: A relaxed bird with its head and body at attention is happy and content.
- At Attention: A bird with a rigid body and flared feathers is claiming territory.
- Bowing: A bird crouching with its head tipped downward is asking to be petted or scratched.
- Head Down: A relaxed bird with its head down and wings raised is trying to attract attention.
- Aggressive: A crouching bird with eye pinning, flared tail feathers, ruffled feathers, and a rigid body is aggressive and should be given space. Additional clues include hissing and a raised crest.
- Lying on Back: Some pet birds lie on their backs, which is uncommon in the wild but can be a sign of comfort in captivity.
- Elimination Posture: Before defecating, a bird may step backward, crouch, and lift its tail.
Conclusion
Birds use their bodies to communicate a wide range of messages. Some body language is easy to understand, while other signals require more experience to interpret correctly. By observing and understanding your bird’s body language, you can improve your communication and strengthen your bond with your feathered friend.
FAQs About Bird Body Language
How can I tell if my bird is happy?
A happy bird often sings, talks, or whistles. They may also show relaxed body language, with smooth feathers and a playful attitude. Tail wagging, wing flapping, and gentle chattering are other signs of a content bird.
Why does my bird fluff up its feathers?
Birds fluff their feathers for various reasons. It could be part of their preening process to remove dirt and feather dust, to relieve tension, or to stay warm. However, if your bird’s feathers remain fluffed for long periods, it could indicate illness, and a visit to the vet is advised.
What does it mean when my bird pins its eyes?
Eye pinning, where the pupils rapidly enlarge and shrink, can indicate excitement, interest, anger, fear, or aggression. To understand what your bird is feeling, observe their overall body language and the surrounding environment.
Why is my bird growling?
Growling is a sign of aggression in birds. It means your bird is uncomfortable or feels threatened. Check the environment for any potential stressors and avoid handling your bird when they are growling.
What does it mean when my bird drops its wings?
Wing drooping in young birds is often because they are still learning to tuck their wings properly. In older birds, it can indicate tiredness, a need to dry off after a bath, or potentially illness. If you notice prolonged wing drooping, consult a veterinarian.
Why does my bird bob its tail?
Tail bobbing can happen after strenuous exercise as your bird catches its breath. If your bird is bobbing its tail and breathing heavily without recent activity, it could be a sign of respiratory distress, and you should see a vet immediately.
What does it mean when my bird is head bobbing?
Head bobbing is often a way for birds to get attention. They might do this when they want to be noticed or are excited to see you. It’s a common behavior in many pet birds.
Why does my bird chew on everything?
Chewing is a natural behavior for birds, used to keep their beaks in good condition and for entertainment. Providing chew toys can help satisfy this need and prevent your bird from chewing on inappropriate items.
Is it normal for my bird to hang upside down?
Yes, some birds enjoy hanging upside down as part of their natural behavior. It often indicates that they are happy and content with their environment.
What should I do if my bird is biting?
Birds bite for various reasons, including defending their territory, fear, or anger. Observe your bird’s environment and other body language to determine the cause. Avoid provoking your bird, and try to create a calm and safe environment. If biting continues, consult an avian behaviorist for advice.
