Parrots often speak more in vocalizations and body language signs than actual words. There are many strange sounds that you might hear from your parrot but they can also clue you on what they are feeling.
Parrots communicate in a lot of different ways and sometimes you may hear them make a cat-like purring sound. It is not as common as some of the other forms of vocalizations parrots use but it can help you understand your pet bird better.
A parrot making a purring sound usually indicates that it is happy and calm. Sometimes, a purr may also express irritation, however, more often it is a sign of contentment.
In this article, we’ll go over what purring means for parrots and read their body language as they make this sound.
Quick Navigation
What Does Parrot Purring Sound Like?
Parrots do not purr in the same way as cats. Although parrots can produce a wide range of vocalizations, they do not intend to imitate the cat-like sound when they purr. A parrot’s purring sounds are more like a mix of a soft rumble with
However, not all parrots purr the same way. The sounds a parrot makes depend on the species and also on the specific bird. My African Grey parrot purr sounds like a mix of groans and soft trilling. The way your parrot makes these sounds also tells you what mood they’re in.
What Does It Mean When A Parrot Purrs?
Just like a cat’s purr, a parrot’s purring sound can mean a few different things. Usually, when a parrot purrs it shows that it is happy and relaxed. However, sometimes it is also a way for parrots to show displeasure or tell their owners that they do not like something.
What your parrot may be trying to tell you is hard to understand by the sound alone. You need to closely observe its body language to get a sense of how it is feeling.
Understanding A Parrot’s Body Language When They Purr
There can be a few reasons why a parrot may make purring sounds. It may either mean the bird feels irritated or that it is in a happy state. Sometimes the parrot may purr on its own while perched on its cage, this is usually an indication that it is enjoying its own company. Other times, however, you need to figure out for yourself what it means when your parrot purrs.
Irritated Purring
Parrots are the happiest when you give them a stable environment. They do not like too many changes in their surroundings and can feel negatively about their living conditions when you do so. However, there can be other reasons as well for why a parrot might feel unhappy.
If you feel that your parrot is making the purring sound out of irritation or unhappiness, you should first try to make it feel comfortable by stepping back. Giving your parrot space can help it calm down. You need to then find out about the potential stressors that are causing your parrot irritation.
Signs your parrot is purring in irritation:
- Trying to escape
- Crouching
- Nibbling on fingers
- Flapping wings
- Tapping feet
- Spreading wings
- Tail bobbing
- Light growling
Content Purring
If a parrot purrs in a low-pitched voice while you pet it, it can be a sign that it feels happy and likes the way you touch it. Sometimes the parrot may also close its eyes while it purrs. When you pet your parrot around the back of its neck, watch how they respond to it. If your parrot likes it, it will encourage you to continue petting it.
Sometimes a parrot may also purr while sleeping as a way to self-soothe. Some people might get worried trying to figure out why that is, but it is nothing to worry about.
Signs your parrot is purring happily:
- Relaxed
- Eyes closed
- Talking
- Being cuddly
Hormonal Purring
When parrots are hormonal they may see a partner in anyone, even their owners. If your parrot is behaving hormonally, it may vocalize differently than usual. So, if you accidentally pet your parrot in the wrong areas, it can make it sexually aroused and make purring noises.
In this case, getting a companion for your parrot might work as a solution but you should also keep in mind to have a hands-off approach while your parrot is hormonal. To help your parrot during the nesting season, you could reduce the amount of fat in their diet and also add in some more veggies.
Do All Parrots Purr?
Not all parrots make purring sounds or in fact, make the same kind of noises. Each parrot differs a little bit in the way they vocalize. It also depends on the individual parrot to some extent.
For example, I have never heard my Senegal parrot purring even though many people witnessed their birds make that sound.
The first time I heard a parrot purr, it was my African Grey. It was quite surprising because it is not all that common for parrots to make that noise.
Here is a list of parrots that more commonly make purring sounds:
- African Greys
- Senegal Parrots
- Budgies
- Conures
- Cockatoos
- Amazon Parrots
- Macaws
- Cockatiels
It should be noted that purring depends on the individual parrots and so while some birds may pur others simply aren’t inclined to engage in this behavior.
Conclusion
Parrots make all sorts of noises and sounds but it is quite rare to see a parrot purr. If your parrot seems happy while making the sound and getting gentle pats from you, there’s nothing much to worry about. However, if they’re being somewhat aggressive or irritated, it usually means you should give the parrot space.
At that point, you might want to look into what might be causing such behaviors in them since parrots rarely get aggressive all of a sudden. It is always a good strategy to observe and address any issues your parrot might be facing to keep them happy and content.
