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Body Language Birds

Body Language for Birds

Reviewed by Petco’s Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE)

Eye behavior | Beak behavior | Feather behavior | Head and body behavior | Wing behavior | Tail behavior | Feet behavior | Vocalization behaviors | Putting it all together

birds

As a bird pet parent, you already know birds have big personalities. They can be playful, silly, loving, aloof or even aggressive. Though birds don’t use facial expressions like humans, they can still broadcast their feelings in many ways using body language. By understanding the meanings of fluffed feathers, dilated pupils, wing flapping, tail wagging, tongue wiggling, talking and other behaviors, pet parents can develop a stronger relationship with their pets.

Though bird behaviors—and their meanings—vary from species to species and even from one individual bird to another, many behaviors have general implications that can help you determine whether your pet is relaxed, uncomfortable, defensive or even ill. In learning to understand the meaning of bird talking and parakeet chirping, pet parents can figure out what their bird is likely trying to tell them.

Eye behavior

Here’s a fun fact you can use at your next dinner party to impress your guests—unlike mammals, birds can consciously control the size of their pupils. Rapidly changing their pupil size back and forth from wide to tiny is known as pinning, flashing, or pinpointing. This behavior can mean your bird is feeling excited or aggressive. If you notice eye pinning, assess your bird’s environment and body posture to help determine whether they are feeling happy or stressed.

Beak behavior

A bird’s beak is a versatile tool—it cracks seed shells, builds nests and can be used as a weapon when birds are feeling defensive. Birds also use their beaks to signal their feelings.

Beak grinding—when a bird moves the top and bottom parts of their beak back and forth against each other—is often a sign of contentment. Many pets grind their beaks when they are relaxed while falling asleep or as one of the signs your bird trusts you.

Tongue wiggling is another sign of a content bird. Cockatoos and cockatiels not only wiggle their tongues when they are happy, but also click their tongues when in a good mood.

Don’t confuse tongue clicking with beak clicking, which could signify aggression. One beak click may simply be a greeting or acknowledgment, but multiple clicks are often a warning. If you notice beak clicking combined with eye pinning, it’s a good idea to give your bird some space.

Birds will often hold their beaks slightly open just before they bite. Usually, birds bite when they are afraid, want to defend their territory or are angry. Before biting, many birds will show multiple warning behaviors, including crouching, hissing, spreading their wings and charging.

Feather behavior

Preening is a natural and healthy behavior that birds only perform when they are relaxed. Often, birds will initially fluff out their feathers while grooming, allowing them to shake out dirt or dust. Birds also may fluff out their feathers to help stay warm or when they are ill.

A bird who keeps their feathers slicked back and held tight to their body may be anxious or fearful. Birds often do this in nature to make themselves look smaller to avoid being spotted by predators.

On the other hand, sometimes birds fluff their feathers out in an aggressive or excited posture. In this case, your pet is trying to make themselves look bigger and more intimidating.

Birds with crests or head feathers—like cockatoos and cockatiels—exhibit many emotions with their feathered crests. A slicked down and back crest is cockatiel body language for a relaxed and content state. Conversely, a raised crest may indicate excitement or interest. A fully erect crest may indicate your bird is aggressive and on high alert.

Head and body behavior

Your bird has many head and body positions that may reflect their mood. When they feel relaxed, they often lower and fluff out the feathers on their heads. A head held in a horizontal stance also typically indicates a calm state.

Body movements, as well as head position, can convey a bird’s emotional state. When birds are playful, they may start rocking back and forth on their perches, bobbing their heads up and down or even hanging upside down from the top of their enclosure. If you notice these behaviors, your bird may be asking for a little playtime.

When a bird feels afraid, they may freeze and stand tall with their wings held close to their bodies. Alternatively, they may crouch to be prepared to fly away immediately, if necessary.

Wing behavior

Birds use their wings not only to fly but also to express their feelings. A bird like a parakeet flapping their wings may be doing so to show happiness or to try to get your attention.

Another common wing movement is birds flicking—or quickly twitching—their wings. This behavior can mean different things. Birds may flick their wings when they fluff their feathers to preen. If your bird flicks their wings, hunches their shoulders and bobs their head, they may be asking for food or a treat. However, wing flicking is also a way for your bird to show annoyance, anger or pain.

If you notice your bird holding their wings slightly away from their body and quivering, your bird may be fearful and may want to fly away. Birds hold their wings high and partially open to try to seem big as a sign of aggression.

Tail behavior

Like many other pets, birds use their tails to communicate. Like dogs, tail wagging in birds may be a sign of happiness or indicate the bird is getting ready to defecate.

Tail flipping (moving the tail up and down) is another sign of happiness in birds. Your bird may flip their tail when you offer a treat or when they play with a favorite toy. Tail fanning (spreading the feathers out flat) is another story, as this behavior is often a sign of aggression or excitement. A bird will fan their tail feathers to showcase their strength against a perceived threat.

 

Feet behavior

A look at your bird’s feet can also tell you how they’re feeling. Birds will often stand on one foot when feeling relaxed and secure. However, if you notice a lifted foot along with other signs of agitation, your bird may be getting ready to bite. 

Some birds—especially cockatoos—will also stamp their feet to show anger and aggression. 

 

Vocalization behaviors 

Even if you don’t have a pet bird that talks, that doesn’t mean your bird isn’t trying to tell you something about their feelings. Aside from birds talking, they can use all sorts of vocalizations to express their feelings. 

Whistling, singing and talking can indicate that your bird is happy. If your bird sings or whistles while being handled, those are big signs your bird trusts you. You may also hear your bird chattering, which can be another signal of contentment or indicate that a language bird is trying to learn how to talk.

Have you ever heard your bird purr? Certain birds can purr, which sounds like a soft growl. A purring bird could mean they are happy and relaxed or annoyed. How can you know the difference? Take a look at other behavioral cues your bird expresses in combination with purring.

Finally, birds can use vocalizations to express negative emotions. Hissing is a common fear response in cockatoos and cockatiels. Growling is also a big warning that your bird is feeling aggressive. 

 

Putting It All Together

Like humans, your bird experiences complex emotions and will often give you multiple clues about their emotional state. One particular behavior can be most accurately interpreted when looking at the full picture, including your bird’s eyes, head, feet, feathers, wings and vocalizations. Don’t forget to observe their environment for clues as well. If their wings are out, their crest is high and they are hissing, all those behaviors indicate that your bird feels threatened. Look around and try to figure out what is triggering this behavior. 

Are you still confused by your bird’s behavior? Learn more from this article about What to Know About Your New Bird. You can also encourage positive behavior by setting up your feathered friend in the proper environment. Search for the right type of enclosure, toys and habitat accessories from our parrot shop. Finally, consult your avian veterinarian if you have trouble translating your bird’s body language. Your vet may also recommend bird health and wellness solutions to help your bird feel better. 

 

Reviewed by Reviewed by Petco’s Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE)

Petco’s ACE team is a passionate group of experienced pet care experts dedicated to supporting the overall health & wellness of pets. The ACE team works to develop animal care operations and standards across the organization and promote proper animal care and education for Pet Care Center partners and pet parents, while also ensuring regulatory compliance. 

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