Parrots can mimic speech but one of their true communication skills comes through body language. With body language they will tell us if they're happy, content, scared, feeling ill, hungry, tired, mad, or simply in need or wanting a little TLC. It is important for you to understand this language to create and maintain a successful relationship with your feathered friend.

Another communication skill comes through sounds. Growling, clicking and even barking are various sounds your parrots will make to tell you something's up and you need to pay attention. Similar to body language it is important to understand various sounds to maintain a successful relationship with your parrot. After all if you want to cuddle and your parrot doesn't, what do you think the result will be?

Wiggling the Tail
With a quick fan and vigorous shake your parrot is telling you he/she is content, joyful and relaxed.

The One Wing Stretch
Your parrot spreads out one wing accompanied by a full extension to the back of the leg on the same side. This is the parrot equivalent of a big hug! Meaning, "Hello, great to see you, how are things". You should never rush your parrot when he's being this courteous and pleasant!

Regurgitation
It normally means that the bird has chosen you as its mate, and wants to feed you! Bonded birds show their affection for each other by feeding each other, and accomplish this by regurgitating food. This activity consists of bobbing the head up and down to bring up food from the crop, and depositing it into the mate's mouth. This is how parrots say "I love you madly, for ever and ever" Don't act disgusted, make faces, laugh, or run away. Simply say "I love you, too!" and give him a rub!

Beak Grinding
The funny grinding rasping sounds coming from your bird means total contentment. Your parrot is relaxed and happy.

Whistling, Singing, Talking
All associated when your parrot is feeling safe, secure and content in their surroundings. Most common times are in the morning when the sun rises and just before the sun goes down. But of course this can happen anytime your parrot is feeling energetic and happy.

Babble On
The chattering or crowing normally heard at dusk as your parrots are settling down for the night. Basically letting their presence is known to other birds or members of your house in an attempt to re-establish relationships among the flock.

Blushing
Yes parrots blush, but you don't often see it because of their feathers. This facial redness is associated with excitement.

Purring
Although similar to a growling sound, but not accompanied by dilating pupils indicates contentment.

Jousting/Beak Fencing
Jousting and beak fencing is simply a form of play or "rough-housing". Birds will pretend to attack each other and grab each other's beaks. This is excellent exercise and birds appear to have a great deal of fun with this activity. This behavior very rarely ends in any injury, and is often followed by mutual preening.

Preening
Simply behaviour used to keep parrots feathers in top condition. It starts by running feathers through their beaks from the base to the tip to straighten and clean them. Preening is also a communal activity where as mates will remove feather sheaths that they cannot reach themselves. Don't confuse preening with feather biting or plucking. A feather-biting bird will bite feathers cutting them off at the base close to the skin. A plucking bird will pull and pluck the feathers out completely.

Wing Drooping
Normal behaviour in adolescents who have not yet learned how to hold and tuck their wings in. Parrots that have just bathed or had a shower may hold their wings down while drying. If your parrot could be overheated from too much exercise and simply be cooling down. However, if you parrots wings are drooping and sitting at the bottom of the cage then you have a sign of a sick bird…I would recommend a visit to the local vet.

Perching on One Foot
Indicates your parrot is comfortable with its surroundings and secure in his home. A safe and sound bird will sleep with one foot tucked up to his abdomen and his head turned around and tucked into his back feathers.



So far you have read about positive body and sound signs. Now we need to understand behaviour associated with aggressive/defensive attitudes in our parrots. These behaviours should be observed closely to distinguish between aggressive positions that mean "Stay away!" and those that simply mean "I'm okay, just over-excited!"



Eye pinning
Flashing, dilating pupils can be a sign of aggression, excitement, nervousness, or pleasure. This is the time you need to pay close attention. Look for other aggressive behaviour and if displayed, this means "Back Off" you may be in for a nasty bite.

Growling
Definitely a sign of aggression especially if accompanied by dilating pupils and raised feathers on the back of the neck. Basically means don't approach me. It is best to respect this behaviour and approach your parrot after calming down.

Beak Clicking
It is a sharp consistent clicking sound used when a parrot feels vulnerable, or is protecting an object or space. This sound is often accompanied by neck stretching and sometimes raising a foot. Basically saying this is my turf, back off or I'll get you.

Barking
Even though you don't have a dog, some birds will "bark" in excitement, during a "chatter" session. This may be an attempt to display their authority over the flock in the household.

Biting
It is important to understand there is a difference between biting and beaking. All adolescent birds have a "teething stage" where they will "beak" almost everything they come in contact with. The bird's beak is filled with nerve endings, and used to familiarize sensation, texture, taste, and suppleness of objects. In this case "beaking" cannot be considered biting, but more like conducting tests. If the "Beaking" migrates to your fingers, which it more than likely will, then gently discourage the behaviour by telling your parrot to be gentle and redirecting it to a more suitable toy or other accepted chewable object.

Now in older parrots, biting is clearly the most definitive form of showing displeasure. There are many reasons for this behaviour. They may feel threatened, scared or startled or by displaced aggression…if unable to bite a desired object; your parrot just may bite the closet item at hand, or your hand. Please keep in mind when encouraging a parrot to step up, do not misunderstand an open beak an attempt to bite. Parrots almost always "test" a perch before stepping onto it to ensure its stability.

Wing and Body Quivering
Quivering wings typically indicate fear, nervousness, uncertainty, or distrust. Parrots displaying this behavior should be spoken to softly with a reassuring tone of voice before attempting to initiate contact. Quivering of the entire body, and particularly the abdomen where you can see the abdominal feathers shaking, is usually a normal attempt to adjust to a marked change in the temperature of the environment.

Crouch Stance
Not a good sign. A crouching parrot with feathers flared, body feathers ruffled or "hackled", with obvious pupil dilation is not a happy camper. Basically it's stating "I'm mean, and mad; come any closer and I will bite".

Tail Fanning
An aggression indicator signifying obvious displeasure. Your parrot is telling you he's upset and angry, a primary indicator that a bite will almost certainly follow if the activity that caused the fanning doesn't stop. This could also be displayed toward an individual your parrot is not particularly fond of who is approaching his cage.

You will have noticed that some aggressive and excitement behaviours share similar characteristics. It is important you understand the differences in both. Work on developing your observation skills by educating yourself on how to read parrot language.