How Do Parrots Communicate? It’s Interesting!

How do parrots communicate? Have you ever thought about this? Do they imitate humans or are capable of communicating like humans? 

As humans, we have got the power to speak. To talk and communicate by using words. But, animals and birds don’t have this power to communicate with words. They mostly talk with their body language and can make sounds. However, few birds can sing and talk like humans.

Talking Parrots & Way Of Expressing!

The singing birds can mesmerize us with their melodious voices. Some birds can talk and communicate like human beings. Among all the talking birds, the most famous is the parrot. Parrots can communicate with humans freely if they continuously listen to words and sentences spoken by us. They grasp communications quickly.

In this particular article, we have talked about “How do parrots communicate?”. So, let’s start with the article about parrots and their ability to speak.

How do parrots talk?

We get very excited seeing parrots imitating or answering us. These birds have some unique vocalizing qualities. Parrots have the capability of grasping and learning the context quickly. All the vocal birds have some special sound system in their brain, where the whole process of learning and imitating words and phrases goes on. Parrots have some distinct systems related to the power of speech that make them different from others. 

Humans have a larynx that helps them to speak whereas birds have a syrinx that helps them to speak. Parrots don’t have teeth, lips, and vocal cords for communicating, they have syrinx with vocal folds through which they get the power to vocalize. The syrinx helps them to imitate pitch, words, and volume. The tongue also plays a vital role in their communication, it helps in the fluctuations of the sounds made by them. There are different species of parrots, each species has a different syrinx that distinguishes them from each other. This is how parrots have the taking ability. 

Moreover, parrots are attention-seeking birds. They like when they are praised and always try to get involved in a group or a flock. These might be their reasons for imitating humans. 

How do parrots communicate with other parrots?

We, humans, communicate with each other. In the same way animals and birds also communicate with each other. Humans communicate by speaking whereas birds and animals communicate by sounds and body language. Every flock of birds has a different method of communicating and passing messages to their group. 

Parrots also communicate with each other by using various sounds and body language. They communicate with sounds when they are at a distance, and with body language when they are close by. They have a common particular sound for each particular message. For example, they have “calling sounds”, which means they call or check up on each other by making this sound to get a response from the other parrot with the same sound. They communicate with each other by making these types of sounds.

When they are nearby, they communicate through body language. For example, if a parrot wants to convey a message to another parrot, then he will make some signs with his body to indicate the message. These are the ways parrots communicate with each other. All birds and animals use these methods for communication among them. 

How can we understand the parrot’s body language?

Having a pet is very normal for humans. Most people prefer to keep pet animals like dogs, cats, hamsters, etc., and also birds. Among the birds, parrots are also kept as pets by many of us. Having a pet requires the ability to understand their body language and sounds as a means of communication. Here we have mentioned “how do parrots communicate with their body language” and how we can understand their body language to communicate with them. 

• Interpreting the eyes: Birds have a habit to enlarge or shrink their pupils in different situations. This quality of parrots can be used to understand their current mood. This pinning of eyes is done by the parrots when they are enthusiastic, aggressive, and scared. You can get an idea of their actions or mood by analyzing their eyes, and environment with their current body posture.

• Movement of the wings: Wings can depict multiple behavioral changes in parrots. When the parrots droop their wings, that means they are ill or tired. When they flap their wings, that means they are happy, want attention, or are stretching. Flipping of wings means anger or pain. If flipping is accompanied by head bobbing that means the parrot is hungry and asking for food. 

• Understanding the vocalizations: Birds also communicate with sounds. They make different sounds to convey their messages. When a parrot is clicking its tongue that is a sign of calling for a walk or a pat. When parrots are talking or whistling that means they are happy and satisfied. Sometimes the parrots growl. The soft growl can depict irritation or satisfaction and the loud growl can depict anger depending upon the environment. Parrots ask for attention by chattering and making loud noises. 

• Movement of tail: Tails are used by parrots for communication. A bird wags her tail to show her happiness by seeing you. Tail wagging can also be a sign when the bird wants to poop. Fanning of the tail depicts anger and tail flipping depicts her contentment. 

• Movement of feet: Sometimes they use their feet to convey their message. Some species scratch the ground like hens to find food. They also tap their feet to show authority towards their area. They use various signs with their legs and feet to depict their behaviours. People need to observe and learn to understand. 

• Movement of feathers: There are a few feather movements of birds. If they fluff their feathers that means they are relieving stress, feeling cold, removing dust, or are ill. If their feathers are quivering that means they are either scared or excited. 

• Body posture: The body posture of a parrot can indicate the type of behavior and mood. A posture of attention shows authoritative nature. A relaxing posture indicates happiness and if accompanied by a crouching head with raised wings then it’s asking for attention and love. 

• Actions with heads and beaks: Birds bob their head when they are asking for attention. Parrots bite when they are angry or scared. The reason behind this behavior can be known by interpreting the environment. They grind their beaks to show contentment or to keep their beaks in good health. 

Final Thoughts – Can All Parrots Communicate?

Almost every bird including parrots communicates through body language and vocals. However, every species has a different way of communicating. Parrots have the power of imitating and speaking to humans. They love attention and praise.

To communicate freely with parrots you need to observe and learn to interpret their body language and sounds. Clear communication helps in strengthening the bond between the pet and its owner. We hope this article helped you to understand how do parrots communicate. 

Now, it will be easier for you to interpret their body language and there will be no communication barriers. Whether it be a parrot or any other pet, always try to understand their body language and sounds for better communication.