How To Read Your Parrot’s Body Language
All parrots talk. Maybe they don’t all learn words, but they do communicate to us in ways that can be just as understandable as human speech. They do this through body language and vocalizations. Just like people, parrots have moods and emotions. And just like people, they don’t necessarily have to say what’s on their minds for us to know. If we’re observant, and can interpret what we observe, we will know what our parrot is feeling and thinking about a situation. Learning to understand your parrot’s own language can even help you prevent and possibly solve behavior problems.
Different species of parrots display different mannerisms, and it’s not possible to describe what every parrot tends to do in every situation. I can’t describe what each squeal, head toss and tail fan may mean, but I can encourage you to pay closer attention to what your parrot does so that in time, you will learn these things. Is your bird mad when he pinpoints his pupils? Or could he just be really interested in what’s going on? Does that squawk mean he’s afraid, or is he having fun? To the casual observer, the behaviors may seem the same and it would be hard to know what the bird is expressing. But to someone who knows how to “speak parrot”, these behaviors can be as clear as if your parrot were holding up a sign. It doesn’t happen overnight, but when you become more conscious of your parrot’s actions, you will get better and better at reading him.
Watching your bird go about his normal day is the best way to begin your lessons in “parrotese”. Realize that if you can observe him without him knowing, you’re likely to get a different picture than if he knows you’re looking at him, so try to be unobtrusive in your bird-watching whenever you can. Watch him play with his favorite toys and eat foods he enjoys to learn what he looks like and sounds like when he’s content. But also watch him when you suspect he’s upset, or is “on guard” and hesitant about something. While watching your parrot when he doesn’t know you’re watching is certainly helpful, paying closer attention when you’re interacting with him is important, too. Whether he’s being friendly, mellow, or downright naughty, take in everything he’s doing. Take note of the situation specifics, such as time of day, who’s around, and so on. If you want, you can even keep a written log.
What specifically should you look for? All sorts of things: Facial expressions are helpful (yes, parrots have them!), and also notice the way your parrot holds his feathers. Are they kept tight to the body, or are they fluffier and more relaxed? Watch for tail fanning, raised head feathers, wing flapping, foot stomping, etc. Not all parrots do all these things, but you’ll eventually learn what’s typical for your bird and what each behavior means. If there are some actions or vocalizations you’re not sure about, you can always ask another parrot person to see if they may have encountered something similar.
If you have more than one bird, and they interact with one another, watching them together provides a real insight into the world of the parrot mind. Maybe they make each other angry once in a while. Maybe they play in a rough-and-tumble manner. Maybe sometimes they’re very affectionate and sweet to one another. What do those situations look like? The behaviors they engage in when they’re together will help you read them when they’re with you.
Knowing how to read your parrot allows you to know the difference between a bird that wants to be held, and one that wants to play, one that is angry, and one that’s afraid. When you have a better sense of how your parrot is feeling and what he’s telling you, you have a better chance of responding appropriately. Don’t be merely a casual observer of your bird. Start paying closer attention and get a real sense of how your bird talks to you.
