I’ve had quite a few conversations this past month with people about parrot behavior. Why do they do what they do anyway? In the most basic sense, it boils down to one thing: instinct. Okay, so what is that exactly? Technically, they are innate behavior patterns and responses to stimuli (including reflexes). Sounds a bit boring, doesn’t it? But that is why parrots do certain things.
Whether parrots are in the jungle, on the plains, or in your living room, they have the SAME instincts. Parrot instinct is a rigid behavior that we must learn to work WITH, not against. Working with parrots and understanding their instincts will help you develop the mutual trust that is necessary for a good relationship with your parrot.
Instinctive behavior is not the same as learned behavior. For example, parrots have certain calls to communicate, yet they learn to scream to get attention. Parrots are master manipulators when it comes to learned behaviors, they respond to your actions and emotions, and they can easily figure out how to “push their buttons,” but I’m going to stick to the basics in this article.
Dam vs. Predator
The most important thing to remember when interacting with parrots is that they are prey animals. Dogs and cats are PREDITORS. Parrots are always looking for something that can eat them. This prey mentality is to keep them alive. Predators are fast, parrots must live faster.
That is why their eyes are positioned on the sides of their head and their neck can rotate so that they can see almost 360 degrees around them. It’s the same reason that quick movements often scare or put them on their guard. (A hawk may come for lunch!)
Here are some common behaviors and underlying instincts of parrots:
Fight or fly
You’ve probably heard of fight or flight before, it has never been truer for parrots. I’m sure they’d rather run away from danger, but they can, and will, turn nasty when flying isn’t an option. When parrots perceive danger, the first response is to escape. Alex, my African gray is an excellent example of this. I call it the “fly first, ask later” behavior. If something startles him, he leaves and flies. If he is cornered, he will actually growl or strike a striking pose.
April, my Umbrella Cockatoo, has a slightly different strategy. It also flies when threatened, but does so while screaming at the top of its lungs to warn the other members of its herd. If it is cornered, its first response is to “pull out” all its feathers and open its wings and tail fully. This is to make it look much bigger and more intimidating. Then it will rock back and forth whistling loudly. Ok, it works. Don’t mess with her now.
Being wary of predators is also the reason why parrots prefer high places. A curtain rod or the top of the cage, among others, are the favorite places. In this way, they are in a better position to detect potential predators. If you had to worry about being someone’s lunch, you’d want to see them come first to get out of the way.
Flocking
Parrots need to interact with a flock. The flock in our houses are other birds, humans, or a little of both. Parrots are social animals and they count on each other to survive. One bird can alert hundreds of danger. And the massive movement of a flock of birds in flight confuses predators, etc.
In our homes, parrots need the attention of their human flock. If they can’t, they’ll find ways to do it that aren’t particularly human-friendly. Parrots will become lonely, self-destructive, and can develop behavior problems if not given enough attention. They NEED to be talked to, played with, and interacted with by other members of their “flock.”
Parrots are very “in tune” with their flock. True, if you have a lot of energy, are in a bad mood, or are sick and not feeling well, your parrot companion will interact with you in different ways depending on how he “feels”. Some say they are almost physical.
Flying
Flying is the most natural behavior of a bird. It’s hard to imagine how many pet birds never actually fly. Even if a bird has clipped wings, it can still fly to some degree. Flying VERY important for the physical and mental health of parrots. Parrots need exercise – it’s what their bodies were designed for! Flying parrots are usually safer and more comfortable. I won’t go into the topic of clipping safety or not here, but I switched sides years ago and will never clip a bird’s wings again. That is my personal opinion.
By seeing the world a little more through the eyes of a parrot, it is easier to understand where you can make some small changes to your own behavior and enjoy a better relationship with your bird. Remember: TRUST is the key! When there is mutual trust, both of you can let each other down a bit and enjoy each other’s company more.