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How to know your bird�s body language

Submitted by Michael Adams on January 8, 2010

Understanding bird’s body language is a crucial aspect of establishing a bond of trust with it. You must learn to gauge your bird’s various moods and to treat it accordingly. You should be able to distinguish between aggressive and friendly behavior in the bird.

When you notice the pupils of the bird’s eyes dilating and contacting rapidly, you should understand that the bird is angry or frightened for some reason. Other signs of disturbance or annoyance include popping of feathers, fanning the tail and changes in the color of the feathers. If your bird displays any of these behavioral traits frequently or without provocation, it might be of a naturally unfriendly disposition.

If you find your bird spreading and flapping its wings frequently and creating a lot of noise, it might be afraid of or disturbed by some factor in its immediate surroundings. Try to find out the reason behind such behavior by letting the bird out of the cage or feeding it its favorite food and observing if the creature becomes calmer. Your bird may be hopping from one perch to another and screeching loudly for demanding your attention and telling you that it is hungry or wants to be let out of its cage and stroked. Restless motion may also be an indication that something is bothering the bird physically. If you find your bird sitting unnaturally still with its wings held tight along its body, it may be trying to guard itself from perceived danger or from unwanted attention. Chances are that in such a situation you would find the bird staring intently at a single point, which is where the source of threat is to be usually found. Try to comfort the bird by shutting the doors or windows of your house if it has spotted a big, frightening animal outside or even a new piece of furniture in the house.

Your bird may make a soft, crunching sound with its beak just when it is about to doze off. This is an indication that it is well fed and feels safe and happy. It is normal for birds to sing a lot, especially at dawn and dusk. If you notice a change in the bird’s voice or calling pattern, it may be calling out for mates. If the bird feels especially affectionate towards you, it may regurgitate food as a sign of its willingness to share!

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Bird Health