Parrots are incredibly expressive creatures, and much of their communication is conveyed through their body language. While actions like feeding, flying, and bathing are straightforward, understanding other movements and postures requires a deeper dive. This guide will help you decipher what your parrot is trying to tell you through its unique physical cues.
Decoding Parrot Beak and Biting Behaviors
A parrot’s beak is a versatile tool, used for everything from eating to expressing emotions. Grinding and clicking sounds, often associated with contentment, are covered in the “Parrot Sounds” section. Birds engaging in “jousting,” where they playfully grab each other’s beaks, are usually just playing. Genuine aggression involves more flapping and squawking. Beak wiping, particularly after eating wet foods like bananas, is a natural grooming habit for most birds, but some parrots may also use it as a territorial marking.
Biting is an unwelcome behavior that signals aggression, fear, or over-defensiveness. Typically, a parrot will crouch and open its beak before lunging, giving you a visual cue. Helping your parrot become accustomed to your presence can help mitigate this. In aviary settings, overcrowding can sometimes lead to biting. If biting persists, isolating the aggressive bird may be necessary until it calms down.
Chewing is a natural and essential instinct for parrots, much like it is for rodents. Providing a variety of chew toys made from safe, non-toxic materials such as wood or egg cartons is crucial for satisfying this need.
Interpreting Crests, Feathers, and Head Movements
Cockatoos and Cockatiels famously use their crests for expression. A flat or slightly raised crest usually indicates a relaxed and happy bird. However, a crouched posture with hissing signifies anger and fear. A fully raised crest signals excitement, often a positive reaction to your presence or the arrival of food. A crest that remains fully raised for an extended period, however, can indicate fear, anger, or an overstimulated state, potentially leading to an angry peck.
Ruffled feathers are typically part of the preening process, helping to remove dust and allow access to the feather roots for cleaning. This action also helps feathers resettle neatly. A quick shiver or ruffle can also be a way for a parrot to relieve tension after a dispute. If a parrot’s feathers are constantly fluffed, it could indicate they are too cold or unwell, warranting a visit to the veterinarian.
Head bobbing can be a bid for attention or part of a courtship ritual, especially common in single birds. Head shaking, while seemingly without purpose, is a habit often observed in African Greys. While generally not a cause for concern, it’s important to ensure the bird isn’t bored and to provide new toys or increased interaction.
Understanding Leg, Foot, and Wing Signals
A raised leg with a clenched claw is often a resting position, especially in cooler temperatures to conserve warmth, or simply a preferred lounging posture. Some species also perch on one foot while feeding with the other. Foot tapping on a perch is a territorial display, particularly common in Cockatoos. A bird that “collapses” or squats when being handled may be trying to avoid returning to its cage. This behavior can also be learned as a way to gain extra attention.
Regurgitation, while perhaps unappealing to humans, is a natural feeding behavior for parrots, used to nourish their young and mates as part of a bonding process. If your pet regurgitates food towards you, accompanied by dilated pupils, head bobbing, and neck stretching, it’s a sign of affection. To discourage this behavior, remain calm, make no fuss, and avoid speaking to the bird during the act.
Scratching the head and neck is a normal part of preening. If a parrot scratches the cage bottom with its claws, it’s engaging in foraging behavior, similar to chickens. This is common in African Greys.
Tail wagging (side to side) can indicate happiness or an impending defecation, which is useful information for house-training. Tail flipping (jerking up and down) is another sign of happiness, excitement, or enjoyment. Gentle tail bobbing accompanied by panting suggests the bird is catching its breath after exercise; if no strenuous activity has occurred, it may signal illness. Fanning of the tail is typically a display of anger or aggression, stemming from dominance behaviors observed in the wild.
Wing drooping, unless the bird is very young, can signify exhaustion, overheating, or illness. After bathing, drooping wings are simply part of the drying process. Wing flapping, without the intention to fly, can indicate exercise, a bid for attention, or a state of great happiness. Lifting wings is often a cooling mechanism or a simple stretch. Ruffling wings after flight helps them readjust, but can also indicate agitation or pain. If accompanied by hunched shoulders and head bobbing, it suggests a strong desire for attention, possibly due to empty food or water bowls, or it can be part of a mating season courtship display.
Wing Clipping: Considerations for Parrot Keepers
Wing clipping is not mandatory but is often recommended by parrot keepers. Its purpose is to slow down, not prevent, flight. Properly clipped wings allow a parrot to fly but with less lift, which can prevent aggressive pursuits and make recapturing escaped birds easier.
It is crucial that wing clipping is performed correctly by an experienced individual. Improper clipping can lead to balance issues, bleeding, or injury. A poorly clipped feather can also cause irritation, leading to self-pecking and plucking. Wings should not be clipped before a parrot has learned to fly, as this can hinder the development of necessary balance for takeoff and landing.
References
- Behavior of Parrot. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://dogcarestory.com/behavior-of-parrot/
- Parrot Aggression. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://dogcarestory.com/parrot-aggression/
- Parrot Aggressive Behaviour. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://dogcarestory.com/parrot-aggressive-behaviour/
- Eclectus Parrot Mating Behavior. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://dogcarestory.com/eclectus-parrot-mating-behavior/
- Social Behaviour of Birds. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://dogcarestory.com/social-behaviour-of-birds/
