Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Other animals

Bird body language, decoded: What it means and what you can do

Gabrielle LaFrank
By

Although birds are some of the only pets to actually be able to tell us what’s wrong, owners can’t always get it right. There’s more to consider than just the way your pet talks (even though it’s pretty entertaining). Body language is just as important as vocalization when it comes to bird communication, so it’s a must to keep an eye on your bird’s behavior, even if they’re talkers.

If their actions are trying to tell you something, you’ll find out here. Consider these eight behaviors to be Bird Body Language 101: all you need to know about your feathered friend from beak to toe.

Related Videos

Eye pinning

One talent that birds have that humans do not is the ability to control their irises and pupils. This talent is called pinning, and usually looks like quick growing and shrinking of the pupils. Always consider your bird’s eye behavior in context with the rest of their body. Eye pinning can be a characteristic of excitement or of aggression, so don’t guess their mood just by the movement in their eyes.

side view of a green parrot with an orange eye
Helena Lopes/Pexels

Stretching

Birds stretch for the same reasons we do! Whether they’re getting ready to fly, relieving some tension, or just keeping the blood flowing, stretching shouldn’t be a cause for concern. You might even catch a glimpse of your bird doing a tai-chi-like stretch, with one leg and the opposite wing extended. If your bird is taking the time to stretch, they’re probably feeling pretty chill. Stretching is wonderful for the body, so take a note from your pet!

Craning their neck

Another peoplelike gesture is neck craning, which is simply a way of taking a look around. It can be hard to take in all your surroundings while in a birdcage! An especially alert bird will widen the eyes and remain very still, though not tense. Mind what you say when your bird is craning their neck (especially if your bird can learn to speak) — they might be listening, too!

If your bird sticks their neck out while you’re interacting, they might just be asking for a scratch! This will look more like bowing, but you may catch a bit of head bobbing, too.

Wing and body shaking

Carefully notice whether your bird is shaking just their wings or their entire body. Shaking of the wings alone is more likely to indicate displeasure, whether it be hesitation or fear — just like people! If their entire body is shaking, though, they’re probably just adjusting to the temperature in the room. If you’re not great at eyeballing your bird’s movements, no worries! Check the feathers on their abdomen; if they’re also quivering, your buddy is just getting comfy.

Head bobbing or snaking

Head snaking is another behavior that means several things. Healthwise, your bird could be trying to vomit. If not, a serpentlike, fluid, sideways motion of the head is usually a call for attention. It’s a common display behavior as well as a way of showing curiosity and interest.

Head bobbing is a sign it’s time for dinner! Oftentimes, birds bob their heads when hungry or when being fed, which can make for a messy mealtime. While a lot of birds outgrow this behavior, some still get excited for a snack well into adulthood. You might spy a bob or two when your bird gets especially worked up, whether they’re feeling delighted or worried.

Drooping wings

The meaning of drooping wings varies depending on your bird’s age and activity levels, so always consider their recent history when analyzing drooping wings. Young birds may still be learning how to tuck in their wings, while older birds may be showing signs of age and illness. If your feathered friend has been especially active lately, they might just be tired and giving their wings a rest. This can also be a postbath ritual to help them dry off.

a white bird stands perched in a cage
Oli Sumit/Pexels

Tail wagging

Another mixed signal! As with dogs, tail wagging can signal excitement in your bird, especially around their favorite people or objects. Seemingly random tail wagging, though, is not quite as cute. You might want to give them a minute before handling a bird with a wagging tail — unless you don’t mind being pooped on.

Regurgitating

If your bird regurgitates something for you, you can be sure they truly love you. Regurgitation is the act of expelling already-ingested food from the throat or crop. Mama birds feed their young this way, as do couples in the act of mating, so if your bird does this for you, you should feel very special. You’re bonding!

While bird body language can be one puzzle after the other, we hope this helped break down some of the more common behaviors and the reasons behind them. Before you know it, you’ll be able to read your bird like a book, and you’ll get along better than ever.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Is your fish tank for bettas too small? Here’s are the do’s and don’ts of betta care
Care tips to keep your new betta fish happy in the right size tank
A betta swims with plants in its tank

While the betta craze may have died down a little, you still see many of these beautiful blue fish in homes and in stores. It's true that they make great pets, even for a novice aquarist, since they don't require an overly extensive tank setup and often prefer to be alone. But just because they work well for a newbie doesn't mean you can dive in without any research. We're here with what you need to know about betta fish care and fish tanks for bettas. Here are the do's and don'ts for bettas.

What do I need to know about taking care of my betta fish?
Do research fish breeders
It all starts with the betta egg, and even the mom and dad. Just like with a puppy, you want to ensure your fishy has had a good life from hatching. There are tons of ethical breeders out there, but you can find some shady ones, too. In general, you want to avoid stores that have them crammed into tiny containers and cycled in and out every day. Do your research about local pet fish stores in your area or check out some of the more reputable ones online.

Read more
Wondering what to feed baby birds? Here are 5 things you should never offer them
Don't add these foods to your baby bird's meal plan
Hatchlings in a nest begs for food

Even though baby birds look like little dinosaurs, they aren't quite as tough. Since they're not actually velociraptors, you can't throw just anything down their gullets. Chicks have very specific food needs that will change as they age and also vary from species to species. While it can be tricky to manage your brand-new birdie's diet, we're here to tell you what to feed a baby bird. When choosing your avian's menu, avoid these five foods that may harm the little critter.

What can you feed a baby bird?
In the wild, newborn birds eat basically what their mamas and papas do, only all chewed up. You probably shouldn't go through the regurgitation process, but you'll replicate this type of feeding in your home without the ick factor. The tiniest of birds eat formula when they live away from their parents. In addition to being their favorite food (well, actually their only food), this will help you bond with your pet.

Read more
Can snakes swim? Here’s what you need to know about how these legless creatures move through water
Yes, all snakes can swim — here's how they do it
Water snake swimming through seaweed

Love snakes or hate them, they're fascinating creatures. Unlike other reptiles, snakes don't have arms or legs. Yet, even without appendages, these slitherers can move across many different types of terrain, often very quickly. They can make their way up mountainsides and climb to the tops of trees. Some even leap and glide from branch to branch!

But have you ever wondered, "Can snakes swim?" -- and which snakes can swim? Well, the answer, interestingly, is all of them.

Read more