Parrots are capable of producing an incredibly diverse variety of sounds and noises. From barely audible purring sounds to full-throated screams that can carry for miles, their litany of calls is quite amazing. These relatively small creatures can make a lot of noise for their size.
While many of the sounds and noises that your bird makes are based on their species, there are some common traits among parrots regarding the types of sounds they choose to make. There are also individually distinguishing sounds that a bird makes that are slightly different from others of its species.
Parrot owners have certainly realized that their birds deliver certain vocalizations in response to various situations. An affectionate, purring noise may be noticed when you are handling your bird and scratching its head. Loud and jarring alarm calls are typical of parrots that are startled or frightened. You might hear your bird grinding its beak, chirping or clicking among other sounds.
All parrots have a contact call, by which they locate their avian and human family members. Listen for it next time you leave their room after being there for a while. You can learn a reply that may not be perfect but will be your contact call to your pet and satisfy their calls to you.
Let’s look a little deeper into the noises and sounds that parrots make.
Categories of Bird Sounds
The Avian Vocalization Center at Michigan State University categorizes bird sounds into three distinct groups. These are:
- Songs – These vocalizations are usually associated with territorial disputes and in attracting mates. In general, these are complex and beautiful vocalizations, though they may include harsh and short sounds as well.
- Calls – All vocalizations that are not songs. Typically harsher and less complex than songs, they can still sound pleasant to the human ear.
- Non-Vocal sounds – This includes all other sounds that a bird may make. Examples are parrots crunching seeds, woodpeckers drumming trees, and characteristic wing sounds.
In some cases, it is very hard to distinguish the difference between calls and songs as they can share features in certain species.
The Ability to Imitate Sounds
One of the qualities that people admire in parrots is their ability to mimic human language. They can produce lower pitched songs than smaller birds that are more in line with the sounds of human speech. Unlike other birds and animals, parrots learn many of their vocalizations rather than having them genetically hardwired in their DNA. For example, in the video below you can see an African Grey imitating many sounds.
According to an article on scientificamerican.com, there are benefits that parrots accrue from employing the practice of learning songs and calls. There are differences in how and what the birds mimic. Pet birds in captivity will learn calls from their adoptive family members. In the wild, some species such as the African Grey imitate calls of other bird species. Amazon parrots, on the other hand, tend to stay within their species when seeking calls to imitate.
An advantage of learning rather than inherited vocalizations is the ability to develop context-specific calls. Imitation is also an indicator of good hearing, memory, and sound producing muscle control that may be used to attract a mate or recruit an ally.
A result of vocal imitation is the rise of local dialects which allow groups within species to identify members of their particular group from the general population. Studies have shown that birds react more strongly to their local dialect. Budgies have been observed using call similarity in judging the worthiness of potential mates.
Types and Meanings of Parrot Vocalizations
Now we will look at some specific sounds and noises that your parrot may make, and try to determine their meaning. According to an article at lafeber.com, you can group your bird’s sounds into three groups based on what they tell us about the bird’s current emotional state.
Happy Sounds
- Talking – Birds will not generally talk if they are stressed or unhappy.
- Singing – Though their singing may not be the most pleasant sound to human ears, a singing bird is a happy bird.
- Whistling – This is another vocalization that indicates that your bird is happy and content.
- Tongue-clicking – When your bird exhibits this behavior it may be entertaining itself or trying to get your attention, perhaps wishing to be handled.
- Beak grinding and quiet chattering – Your bird will make these types of sounds when they are feeling secure and content. In the video below you can see an example of a budgie demonstrating such beak grinding.
Neutral Sounds
- Purring or growling – These sounds can be a sign of contentment or annoyance and are best understood in the context of the bird’s environment and body language. Accompanied by dilated pupils, this sound is a sign of aggression.
- Learned sounds such as laughter – Sounds that your bird has learned through observation are considered neutral. For example, your bird is not laughing because it thinks something is funny, but rather it has learned to associate a certain activity in its environment with that particular sound.
- Silence – The lack of sound can have various meanings. It can indicate your bird is not feeling well, is just taking a nap, or is working hard on taking apart a toy or a piece of your furniture.
Unhappy Sounds
- Beak clicking – Sharp, repeated clicking the beak indicates that your bird is protecting an object or feels threatened. It is often accompanied by neck stretching. Caution is advised at this time, as your bird may be poised to deliver a bite.
- Alarm calls – Often loud, shrill and rapidly repeated, these calls are produced when the bird is startled or frightened. In African Grey parrots, the alarm call takes the form of a very loud growl.
- Screaming – These are related to alarm calls but can be associated with behavioral or environmental issues that your bird is experiencing. They may be bored and be trying to amuse themselves or be seeking interaction with their human companions. Take care not to get into the habit of running to your parrot every time it screams or it will soon learn that this is the best way to get your attention.
Many Sounds and Meanings
Parrots are intelligent and complex creatures that display a wide variety of vocalizations and have the facility to learn and employ new ones. Paying attention to the types of sounds your bird is making and understanding what they mean will enhance your relationship with your pet parrot.
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