Parrots express positivity about things they like. Because they lack facial musculature, they can’t display happiness by smiling. Instead, parrots show joy through their body language and vocalizations.
Singing, purring, soft chattering, and whistling cheerfully express an upbeat mood. If a parrot has learned to talk, it will likely use some of its favorite words to get your attention.
If a parrot feels good, it’ll show this through its actions. It may bob its head up and down, dance, shake its tail feathers, flap its wings, wiggle its tongue, grind its beak, or pin its eyes.
What Parrots Do When Happy
Some body language and vocalizations have contrary meanings, leading to misunderstandings. A parrot’s message is more reliable if several signs of happiness are expressed.
Here are the signs of a happy parrot:
Parrot Sounds And Vocalizations
Parrots are vocal animals. This means you can understand them based on their sounds.
They’ll reserve elongated vocalization patterns for times when they’re feeling contented. Conversely, a discontented/unwell parrot may scream or become abnormally quiet.
Certain noises suggest a parrot feels happy and upbeat. Listen out for these sounds:
Singing And Whistling
Singing and whistling are among parrots’ main signs of an upbeat mood. When a parrot sings and dances to the radio, it signifies that it feels good about life.
Parrots often interject cheerful singing with whistling, which can be a request for one-on-one attention. A parrot wants you to play and interact, enhancing its mood further.
Purring
You may hear purring if a parrot feels affectionate, such as during a petting session. Parrots don’t purr freely (or often), so this should be construed as a sound of pleasure.
A parrot may not purr long, but the sound will be unmistakable. Like a cat, purring can switch to growling if a parrot grows overstimulated. Always heed sudden changes in vocalizations.
Chattering
Soft chattering usually signifies safety and contentment. It mainly occurs during the day when a parrot is trying to keep itself occupied. If you’re teaching a parrot to talk, it could be practicing its new skills.
It differs from loud chattering, where a parrot communicates with other flock members.
Parrot Body Language
Parrots are expressive birds and find it difficult to contain their joy when they feel happy.
Here are the forms of body language that suggest a parrot is upbeat:
Flapping Wings on the Spot
Some parrots spread and flap their wings when they feel upbeat. Alternatively, it could mean it’s seeking attention and wants to leave its cage to spend time with you.
Ensure the parrot isn’t flapping its wings in frustration. This happens when a parrot can’t move about and stretch its wings to their full extent. If so, it’ll benefit from having a more spacious cage.
Head Bobbing
Parrots bob their heads when excited and happy, especially when they see a favorite human after returning home. Consider this an enthusiastic greeting when you walk into a room.
You may notice a parrot bobbing its head when you approach the cage with food or prepare meals nearby. Feeding time is a highlight of the day, and head bobbing suggests a parrot is excited.
Tail Wagging
The famous blues song “Shake a Tail Feather” suggests that this is an action associated with happiness.
If a parrot wags its tail like a dog, it’s expressing excitement and happiness. This could also signify that it’s about to poop, but if the tail flips after being shaken, it’ll usually be an act of joy.
Monitor how a parrot reacts afterward. The tail shouldn’t be fanned because this is again a warning that a parrot is attempting to make itself look large and intimidating.
Beak Grinding
Parrots grind their beaks when relaxed and upbeat. You’ll usually see/hear a parrot grinding its beak after spending time out of its cage and before falling asleep.
Beak grinding is an instinctive behavior that keeps the beak in good order. If a parrot is pleased to see you, it may grind its beak while clicking its tongue.
Ensure that ‘beak grinding’ isn’t mistaken for ‘beak clicking.’ This involves the parrot moving its beak from left to right in a snapping motion, suggesting it feels threatened or is protecting its territory.
Tongue Wiggling
A parrot may repeatedly stick its tongue out of each side of its mouth when you’re next to them or nearby. When a parrot wiggles its tongue, it’s playful and happy to see you.
Relaxed Feathers
All bird species can control the movement and position of their feathers. This differs starkly from humans, who have no control over their hair. This can make the language of feathers hard to understand.
Parrots are typically in a better mood when their feathers are fluffy and relaxed. Conversely, the parrot feels concerned if the feathers appear stiff and erect.
If you have a cockatoo, the position of the crest can reveal its happiness. An upright crest signifies curiosity, enjoyment, interest, or excitement about something in its environment.
Playfulness
Contented parrots engage with their toys (bells, rope swings, ladders, wooden blocks, etc.) For example, parrots may energetically chase after a ball during an out-of-cage play session.
They’re more willing to learn tricks, which they’ll show off to their admiring owners.
You may observe a parrot hanging upside down from the cage bars. This position makes a parrot more vulnerable, suggesting it feels safe and relaxed in its living environment.
Eye Pinning
A parrot that pins its eyes (also called eye flashing or eye blazing) often signifies excitement. If so, you’ll observe the eyes changing in size rapidly.
Eye blazing is a mood-reflective behavior in response to stimuli. Parrots pin their eyes for various reasons, ranging from curiosity to hostility. Eye blazing should be construed in conjunction with other behaviors.
What Makes Parrots Feel Happy
To bring more joy to a parrot’s life, offer the following:
- Nutritious, balanced diet.
- Consistent daily routine.
- Good husbandry (clean cage, toys, bowls, etc.)
- Large, more spacious cage.
- Extra perches and toys.
- Bathing tub for staying clean.
- Moving the cage to a quieter location at bedtime.
- Don’t let predatory pets enter your parrot’s room.
- Avoiding strong-scented fragrances (candles, diffusers, tobacco, etc.)
- Sufficient sunlight or UV lighting.
- Entertainment, exercise, and stimulation.
- Regular petting sessions.
- Let the parrot preen your hair.
- Playing with the parrot more often.
- Teach a parrot new words and tricks.
- Leaving the TV or radio on when you leave the house.
- Same-species companionship.
A happy parrot will be healthier and bring more joy to your life. Always uplift a parrot’s mood by doing what it enjoys and making the most of your time together.
