UNDERSTANDING YOUR BIRDS LIKE A PRO ( Part1)

The actions of one particular bird or species do not necessarily mimic the meaning of the same action in all other birds, we have found there to be a general similarity in the actions and meaning of some basic avian behaviors.

 If your bird exhibits any of the following behaviors, try to ascertain exactly what your feathered friend is trying to tell you, and respond (or refrain from responding) accordingly.



• Flashing/Dilating Pupils
  Flashing, dilating pupils can be a sign of aggression, excitement, nervousness, or pleasure. Pay close attention to other behaviors that accompany flashing/"pinning" pupils in order to correctly ascertain the reason for this particular behavior. In a bird that is exhibiting additional aggressive behaviors such as tail fanning, this behavior means "Back Off!".  Bird normally exhibiting this behavior in response to another bird, animal, or human in the vicinity that is disliked.
• Barking
  Not only dog bark,  birds as well "bark" in excitement, during a "chatter" session, or in an attempt to display their dominance over their cagemates or other birds in the household.
• Growling
  An indicator of aggression, growling is sometimes accompanied by dilating pupils and raised feathers on the back of the neck. It generally means that a bird does not want to be approached.
• Purring
  Very similar to the growling sound, but not usually accompanied by dilating pupils. Bird's body is usually relaxed and feathers are fluffed up. This behavior indicates contentment.
• Tongue Clicking
  Rapid "clicking" of the tongue against the beak which generally means "I want to be friendly, I won't hurt you". This invitational behavior is most often seen in cockatiels and cockatoos.
• Beak Clicking
  Beak clicking is a sharp, consistent "clicking" sound used when a bird feels threatened, or is protecting a particular object or space. Often accompanied by neck stretching and sometimes the raising of a foot, it is a signal that the bird is defending territory or possessions, and is trying to ward off the "intruder".
• Beak Grinding
  This is similar to the sound of a child grinding his teeth at night, and is a result of a bird scraping the lower mandible against the upper mandible. It is usually a sign of a bird feeling secure and content. This will often be heard after your bird settles in for the night, right before he drops off to sleep, and sometimes during sleep.
• Beak Wiping
  We've observed three separate reasons for this activity. When done in the presence of another bird, it is usually an attempt to tell the other bird that it is intruding on personal territory. When done while alone, it usually indicates one of two things: the bird is trying to dislodge something stuck to his beak, or the beak wiping is a displacement agression activity. Displaced aggression means that the bird cannot perform the activity he would like to and is aggravated, which he displays by wiping his beak on another object.
• Biting
  With young birds, there is often a "teething stage" encountered where the youngsters will "beak" almost everything it comes in contact with. A bird's beak is filled with encapsulated nerve endings, and is used to experience sensation, texture, taste, resilience of objects, etc. In these instances, the "beaking" cannot be considered as biting but as experimentation.
  
  With older birds, biting is obviously the most definitive form of showing displeasure. Biting birds do so for a reason. The bird may be feeling threatened, frightened or startled. Birds will bite during display; to protect their nest. Birds may also bite their mate or beloved human in an attempt to protect them. A bird's instinct is to flee when faced with an intruder, and in an attempt to encourage his "mate" to flee, may bite at the intruder/predator as a way of encouraging this.
• Whistling, Singing, Talking
  These activities are usually indulged in when the bird is feeling safe, secure and content in his surroundings. Expected times are during the early morning hours when the sun rises, and at dusk when the sun is going down, but also occur anytime the bird is feeling especially exuberant and happy! 
• Sneezing
  Birds sneeze for the same reasons we do: dust, nasal irritation, small bug or down feathers up the nasal cavity. Some birds will sneeze if this behavior has been positively reinforced. If the sneezing is accompanied by nasal discharge, your bird should be seen by an avian vet.
• Regurgitating
  When done in the presence or in close proximity to a human, it normally means that the bird has chosen you as it's 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 actiivity 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 also the manner in which parents feed baby chicks.
• Chattering
  Loud chattering or crowing is usually heard at dusk, when bird(s) are settling down for the night. It is believed to be an attempt to make their presence known to other birds, or possible to re-establish relationships among the flock. Soft chattering is often how a parrot amuses itself, and is normally a sign that the parrot is feeling safe and content. This muted chatter is also heard when a bird is practicing speech; words and phrases can sometimes be heard if you listen closely. 
• Craning the Neck
  This is simply a bird who is trying to see or observe what activities are going on around him! Usually accompanied by a distinct widening of the eyes and the body being held very still. 
• Head Snaking
  Characterized by the "snaking" of the head from side to side in a fluid motion. Appears to indicate excitement, a quest for attention, or be a display behaviour.
• Jousting/Beak Fencing
  Jousting and beak fencing  is thought to be related to sexuality; in others it is thought to be 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.
• Lowered Head
  A bird who is pulling his wings in close to his body, has his head lower than the perch and sometimes bobbing slightly, and is leaning forward with quivering or flapping wings is getting ready to take flight. This behavior is often displayed when a bird is questing for attention. 
• Panting
  A panting bird is overheated, overexerted and uncomfortable. Birds that are not used to flying and have regrown their flight feathers will often do this when they take their first few flights. If you notice a non-flighted bird panting.
• Preening
  Preening is the activity that a bird conducts to keep his feathers in top condition. It consists of running feathers through their beaks from the base to the tip to straighten and clean them. Some birds have oil glands at the base of their tails, and will take some of this oil and run it through their feathers, creating a "sheen" and protectant that repels water instead of absorbing it. Preening is also a social activity; birds will preen one another to remove feather sheaths that they cannot reach by themselves. Birds may also attempt to "preen" their  hair.
  
  Preening should not be confused with feather biting or plucking. A feather-biting bird will bite his feathers and snip them off at the base, close to the skin or directly at the feather follicle. A plucking bird will pull and pluck the feathers out completely. (Plucked feathers will grow back more quickly than those that have been cut off at the base.) 
• Wing Drooping
  This is normal in younger chicks who have not yet learned how to hold and tuck their wings in. Likewise, birds who have just been bathed or misted may hold their wings down while drying. If neither of these situations is applicable, the bird may be overheated and attempting to cool itself, or may be feeling poorly.
• Wing Flipping
  This is a sharp, flicking movement of one or both wings and is usually indicative of annoyance or displeasure. Another cause of wing flipping could be that one of the feathers is out of place, and the bird is "flipping" the wing in an attempt to realign it before preening.
• Wing and Body Quivering
  Quivering wings usually indicate fear, nervousness, uncertainty, or distrust. . A quivering of the entire body, and especially 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. 
• Wing Drumming
  Wing drumming is wonderful exercise for birds.
  In some species wing drumming is also a warning that the bird is protecting its territory. Invading birds who ignore this warning are often chased by the "drummer" with his beak open and ready, and/or bitten.
• "Display" Behavior
  This behavior is characterized by a ruffling of the head feathers, fanning of the tail, wings extended in full display and a very distinct strutting walk. Sometimes is accompanied by dilation of the pupils, head bobbing, and loud vocalizations. Cockatoos (and other birds with a crest) will also throw their crest feathers up while in display. These behaviors are usually brought on by attempts to attract a mate, or as a show of territoriality.
• Marching
  a) Toward person or another bird with head down:  -- This aggressive behavior is designed to frighten the intruders into leaving.
  
  b) Toward person or another bird with head up:  -- This behavior usually denotes pleasure in the human's or other bird's presence, and can be taken as an invitation to play, preen, or pet.
• Perching
  On one foot:  Shows that a bird feels comfortable in his surroundings and secure in his environment. A secure bird will sleep with one foot tucked up to his abdomen and his head turned around and tucked into his back feathers.
• Crouch Stance
  A bird that is crouching with his head down and pointed forward, tail feathers flared, body feathers ruffled or "hackled", and exhibiting pupil dilation is one angry fellow! DO NOT approach a bird who is exhibiting this behavior, as it means, "I am big, mean, and mad; if you come any closer I will bite you!" 
• "Defensive to the Death"
  Birds that feel extremely threatened but cannot fly or otherwise escape will roll over onto their backs, with claws extended and beaks open to bite. This behavior emulates "I will fight you to the death".
• Tail Bobbing
  Tail bobbing, in and of itself, is not necessarily a sign of sickness. Some birds bob their tails while they are talking or singing. If the tail bobbing is evident only while your bird is inhaling/exhaling, then it could be a sign of sickness.
• Tail Fanning
  This behavior is characterized as an aggression indicator, and denotes definite displeasure. A bird that is fanning his tail is upset and angry, and this behavior is a prime indicator that a bite will almost certainly follow if you continue the activity that caused the fanning. This could be as simple as an unfavoured person approaching the nesting place, or a contact activity that the bird has tired of.
• Tail Wagging
  This generally is a sign of contentment and happiness, during an especially enjoyed activity. Consists of a quick "wag" of the tail feathers back and forth.
• Stretching
  Like humans, birds stretch to relieve tension. This is especially important for them since they spend so much time on their feet. Birds will stretch one foot and the opposite wing at the same time, which improves circulation and and refreshes muscles.

This list is far from complete, as there are many more behaviors that are not only species specific, but individually specific also. Hopefully this list will alert you and assist you to become more aware of your bird's body language, to learn what each behavior means for your particular bird(s), and ultimately lead you down the path to an enriched, rewarding relationship with your beloved Swiftlet Birds companion(s)! xoxo wikiwalet