BODY LANGUAGE AND INTERPRETATION

​

Tongue clicking

Tongue clicking is when a bird taps his tongue on the roof of his mouth and makes a “tuh, tuh, tuh” sound. This means, “come closer, I won’t hurt you”. Your bird is inviting you close. To tell him that you are friendly, reply with the same thing, and this can calm even a stressed bird. 

 

Grinding beaks

When a bird grinds its beak together, a similar sound to nails on a chalkboard, it is a sign of comfort and safety. Contentment! 

 

Whistling 

Similar to beak grinding, whistling often shows happiness and contentment. Whistle back to your bird to create a happy, safe atmosphere. 

 

Wagging/fluffing tail

Happiness is also evident when a bird wags its tail back and forth quickly. This is different to tail fanning as it is often used in addition to other body signals (such as whistling or tongue clicking). 

 

Stretching

Imagine standing on your feet all day and all night- at all times! Birds, like humans, need to stretch out their body. If they stretch while on or near you, it’s a sign of relaxation and trust. 

 

Wiping a beak

This is either a sign of jealousy or discomfort as they try to dislodge something from their beak. Check if anything is stuck in their beak causing this discomfort, or try to figure out why they might be jealous. 

 

Fluffed feathers (all over the body)

If feathers are “fluffed” or raised all over the body, this is your bird showing that it is happy. 

 

Fluffed feathers (along the neck)

If only the feathers on the neck are raised, this is a sign of anger and aggression. Beware, your bird may attack. Try to understand why your bird is unhappy, and stay clear of your bird while it calms down.

 

Flashing eyes

This is a common signal in birds like an Eclectus or Macaw. Flashing eyes (when the pupils dilate or change) indicates nervousness, excitement or anger. 

 

Purring

Like a cat, birds purr. Although it may vary from the noise a cat makes, it is still a definite purr, and shows happiness.

 

Panting

Panting shows dehydration or an overheated bird- try to cool your bird down by offering it water or spraying it with cool water from a clean spray bottle.

 

Head bobbing

Often combined with a slight and sudden wing flap. This can occur in baby birds and is a habit formed from hand feeding, sometimes as a sign of hunger. Usually, birds transition out of this behaviour after a year or at maturity. 

 

Tail fanning

This is different to tail wagging, as explained previously. It is an aggressive indicator, and shows definite displeasure when combined with other aggressive signals (e.g. fluffed nape feathers). 

 

Wing quivering

When the wings are held by the side of the bird, and your bird leans forward towards your or something, it shows it wants to fly somewhere. 

​

Shriek-like whistle

Sometimes birds release a shrill, high pitched, long whistle that usually indicates anger or acts as a warning to stay away. It is usually accompanied with flashing, angry eyes and a fluffed-up neck.