Some parrots have wonderful speaking abilities for the most part. Some can even converse in context! More is being discovered about the parrot brain by the likes of Dr. Pepperberg and a few others. Many go beyond just the ability to mimic.

I have found in my own home and through running the parrot rescue that bird’s can and do ask for many things they want by using words. I have over and over been asked for things by some of the parrots here at the rescue. Some can say "want a drink" or "water". With some of the others, it can be a little more subtle and they will make the sound of water. I hear many others say "want a peanut", "want a apple", “wanna go outside” or many variations and have learned that they can see the item or feel thirsty and make a request for the item or ideas. I have taught several parrots how to differentiate colors and one of them knows 5 colors and would pick a particular color by random choice.

There intelligence can be astounding for those that take the time to find out what abilities their own parrot might have.

What I find just as intriguing is there body language. Parrots can and do communicate through the use of body language even more than they do with words!

Body Language

Parrots can show joy and fear and happiness without having to say a word! The use of body language plays an even more important part in understanding our parrots need then the use of words. They communicate using their bodies much more frequently than they do with words. Also for those parrots that do only speak to mimic or who have not “found their voice” they continue to communicate with us through their bodies.

I watch Oliver at Tim Horton’s if you happened to read that story on my Blog about my Blue Front Amazon that has his own addiction to Tim Horton’s. He runs to the window and his wings flap and his head leans forward in a begging motion. He is showing both excitement and begging for his food!

If we start paying attention to our birds body and learn to understand its little idiosyncrasies we will learn that they really ARE communicating with us.

I can walk up to almost any bird and determine if I am going to be able to step up the bird or get bit long before I reach my hand in the cage! Some will come running to the front seeking me out and some will cower to the back in fear. Some will also just sit there and observe for themselves. Mind you I don’t stop although I know I am going to get bit. Taking a parrot bite is part of the process and will teach the bird that I am not afraid of it. I do not show fear to the parrots as I am certain they read our body language too!

Anyone can learn to read their parrot’s body language by observing their parrot during the course of daily events. Parrots know when food is coming, you will see when they are hungry by a little flutter of their wings showing excitement that a treat is on the way. They will lean towards something they want and in some cases if we aren’t aware they will walk over and help themselves!

They show excitement not jus t with food but with excursions, baths, toys and play as well. Depending on whether they enjoy their bath or not you should be able to tell just by their stance. Some will try and run away even at the look of your spraying device, others show indifference by sitting there and not moving and some will flap around with joy and spread their feathers for the water to seep into every crevice of their bodies!

It is those times we know for certain when our parrots are either enjoying themselves or are not crazy for bath time.

There are still move subtle body language movements that can teach us to communicate with our parrots even more effectively.

Much can be discovered through play. You should observe your parrot during moments o f playtime and watch how they react to their toys. You can see a bird that is fearful of something as their body automatically moves away from it. Their feet may remain still but they lean away from the object. This tells us there is at least a sense that they are aware of this new thing but that they are leery of it.
At this time we should go a bit slower at introducing the item to give the parrot time to adjust to the new item. Let them touch it if they are comfortable and show it to them with your hands so they can see it doesn’t hurt you. Let’s use a toy as an example. You just picked up a little ball. You bring it to the parrot he backs away or leans back away from the ball. He is showing us that he is at least a little nervous of the new ball.

Take the ball and show him up close so he can see it. Roll it in your hand and make some happy sounds like you are enjoying playing with the ball. See if you can touch his beak with it. More than likely this small introduction to his new toy will change the stance of the body to curiosity and they eventual play!

Not all birds will communicate the same way using their bodies. It does take an observant eye to watch and learn what your bird is communicating to you through their body but you and he will be the better for it as it will open up an area of communication you didn’t know existed!

You relationship will improve as your parrot learns that you understand him and he will develop trust towards you and others. He will understand that new toys are not something to fear but to enjoy. I have found that once we communicate through body language and through context that biting also lessens. The parrot will be more relaxed and not so fearful of things he doesn’t know

Labels: behavior, body language, ontario parrot rescue, parot, parrot behaviour, parrot care, parrot speaking