If you aspire to become a bird owner, do not bring a parrot home without reading this guide. Get insights into your parrot’s world with these 10 fascinating parrot behaviors and how to observe them effectively.

Parrots are among the smartest bird species on the earth. Unlike typical domestic pets like cats and dogs, parrots can’t talk. They don’t have vocal cords to be able to communicate.

However, it doesn’t mean they don’t express their feelings. Parrots in fact are more honest in self-expression than human beings. They use their melodic tone, posture, and body language to tell something. As a pet parent, your job is to understand what your parrot wants to say.

How can you do it? The answer is very simple: By observing natural behaviors.

Yes, parrots do exhibit some natural behaviors. When they flare their tail or grind their beak, they mean something. 

We bring you 10 natural habits of parrots that can help you understand their language and build a healthy relationship with your feathered friend through seamless communication.

So, let’s dive in.

Parrot’s Behavior: Learning the Basics

First things first – bird owners should learn the basics of natural behaviors associated with different bird species. Parrots, for example, possess unique traits and have to be dealt with accordingly.

So, we begin with specific characteristics of parrots that distinguish them from other birds. Keep in mind that these traits are common in most parrots. However, they may vary in different breeds. Therefore, we don’t recommend applying the one-size-fits-all rule here.

Learn these ten basic rules to better understand a parrot’s natural behaviors:

1. Parrots aren’t, and can never be, domesticated. They are wild animals. Treat them differently from chicken, dove, duck, etc.

2. Socialization is critical for the health and well-being of parrots. Owners should talk to their parrots using verbal responses. For instance, parrots instantly reciprocate to chirp or whistle.

3. While social interaction is important, don’t ignore the safety risks. As prey species, parrots are highly vulnerable to attacks from prey animals. Hence, a strong instinctive fear is common among parrots. Consider this fear in their upbringing.

4. Parrots prefer self-feeding. Respect their habits.

5. Parrots take eye contact very seriously. A long, hard stare gives them a strong message of disliking a behavior.

6. Like all other animals, parrots also admire their owner’s love and affection. A gentle touch, loving expression, or tender call is enough to win their hearts.

7. Parrots are no less than toddlers in terms of emotions. Responsible pet parents take care of the parrot’s emotions just like their babies.

8. In response to the owner’s love, parrots also respond with empathy and compassion. They are very good at sensing the owner’s mood and reading their facial expressions.

9. Parrots have short attention spans. Hence, they can be less responsive at times and show dramatic displays when full of energy.

10. Parrots are very smart by nature. They always want to be in a dominant position. As long as they get full attention, they will spend quality time with you.

10 Fascinating Parrot Behaviors and How to Observe Them

Parrots exhibit different natural behaviors to deliver specific messages. See below the list of 10 behaviors and what they mean:

1. Opening Their Wings

You must have noticed your parrot stretches out one wing when you arrive home. This is the parrot’s way of welcoming you by saying, “Good to see you again.”

Interacting with owners gives parrots pleasure and happiness. They show their inner bliss by opening their wing and stretching one leg; like someone is greeting you with respect. Sometimes, they may also curl up the claw and receive guests with honor.

2. Nibbling

Do you know what’s nibbling? It’s the habit of taking small bites. And parrots like to nibble, particularly in the early stages of their life. Nibbling is a way of communication. It is a natural behavior exhibited by parrots to express their desire for food, attention, or something else. 

Pet owners sometimes misunderstand nibbling as a form of aggression. The reality, however, is otherwise. If your parrot is not biting you at all, it means it is not well.

Nevertheless, be careful in the nibbling stage. Don’t let the parrot bite your hand, fingers, ears, etc. You can give them a toy, wood, or something else that is safe to bite and not harmful. 

3. Nipping

Nibbling leads to nipping when multiple attention calls from the parent are ignored.

If your parrot is seeking your attention through small bites, but you are not responding to those calls, the parrot feels angered and frustrated. A certain form of aggression becomes visible in their actions. Eventually, they start biting you more than usual. Their activities go wild. 

Other reasons for nipping include jealousy, concealed threat, hunger, or lack of care by the owner. Inappropriate fondling or petting may also result in this behavior.

The best way to handle nipping is to leave your bird alone. Wait until the parrot refreshes its mood and becomes normal.

3. Grinding and Wiping the Beak

Parrots perform various activities with their beak. Each activity has a different meaning. 

For instance, if the parrot is grinding its beak, it is feeling secure and relaxed. Likewise, beak wiping is an indication the parrot has finished eating food and is not cleaning its beak. 

4. Fluffing or Puffing the Feathers

Puffing up the features means the parrot is frightened or aggressive. It may also enlarge its body signaling aggressive behavior. 

Similarly, aggression may also result in features fluffed up. However, if the wings are also stretched out, it means the parrot is in pleasure and greeting someone.

5. Eye Pinning

Eye pinning is a natural behavior associated with excitement. Parrots perform this act when they get their favorite food or play with their desired toy. They dilate and contract their eyes and keep repeating this process.

Some pet experts also believe eye pinning means the parrot is upset, aggressive, sexually excited, or frightened. Leaving your bird alone is the best option in this case.

6. Growling

Growling is mostly common among cats and dogs. However, parrots also growl when they are upset or scared of somebody.

When a parrot growls, it stops making eye contact and slicks feathers tight into the body. Similarly, they may try to escape from the threatening hands. Small bites could also become prominent.

And the solution is the same. Let your parrot spend time alone and calm down.

7. Wings Drooping

Wings dropping is usually performed to dry off the body after a bath or misting. It has other meanings too.

For instance, drooping also indicates sudden illness. Likewise, parrots also droop their wings to exhibit mating behavior which is discussed next.

8. Mating

Mating is a common parrot behavior. Parrots start regurgitating or bobbing their heads in this situation. Their wings start quivering, tail fanning, and eye pinning. 

However, there is a specific mating season during which parrots exhibit this behavior to woo a potential mate.

9. Plucking and Regurgitating

These two are the signs of illnesses. 

Plucking may result from mutilation syndrome, a stressful environment, or a medical issue. Other reasons include boredom, external lesions, reproductive problems, and malnutrition.

On the other hand, regurgitation after eating shows the parrot is not feeling well. However, if your parrot exhibits this behavior in your presence, it is an honor and shows the bird’s love and affection for its owner.

10. Screaming

Over 99% of parrots scream a lot. Those who don’t are either sick or have vocal problems. You must be able to accurately interpret this behavior to build a strong relationship with your parrot.

Screaming has various meanings; both positive and negative. It shows signs of fear, urgency, anger, discomfort, boredom, or jealousy. Parrots also scream when they feel threatened or seek attention from owners. 

How to Treat Parrots Well? Tips from Experts

Parrots can’t communicate like normal human beings. The best way to understand and respond to their language is to optimize our body language.

So, be careful while approaching tiny creatures like parrots. Look at them sideways; maintain at least 30 cm distance at the start.

Winking can also be a good option. Never yell at all. If they scream a lot, listen to their shrieks with patience. Show your love and affection.

Similarly, pet experts prevent owners from shushing. It upsets parrots and inflicts a sense of fear among them. Instead, speak calmly and quietly. 

For a socialized bird, like parrots, singing can be a good option. Try it and see the results.

Final Thoughts

Parrots are fun-living, beautiful, and adorable bird species. They are very attractive and amuse humans with melodious sounds. 

At the same time, they also need extreme care and affection.

We have presented ten common natural behaviors associated with parrots and discussed their meanings. Some are signs of pleasure, joy, and happiness, and others indicate fear, aggression, and illnesses.

At the end of the article, some tips are also given to approach your parrots. Consider these tips to maintain parrots’ health and give them an environment where they can grow happily.