Parrots use their beaks for many things, but sometimes they may also use them to make strange noises. One of the more unusual sounds that parrots make is beak clicking.
Parrot owners get confused as to what it means and wonder if their bird is okay. But as with all parrot behaviors, there is always a logical reason behind what they do.
There are a number of reasons why parrots click their beaks. More often this type of behavior indicates that the parrot is happy and content. However, sometimes the clicking noises are followed aggressive display, which suggests the parrot needs space.
Quick Navigation
What Does Beak Clicking Sound Like?
If you have seen your parrot click its beak, you’re probably familiar with this sound. However, the exact sound can actually differ between species. It depends on the size of the beak, as well as the speed and the rhythm of tapping. In some smaller parrots, it may be relatively soft.
Beak clicking is when a parrot taps the upper and lower bill with one another repeatedly, giving off a series of rapid but faint click sounds. It somewhat resembles the teeth chattering in humans.
What Does Beak Clicking Mean In Parrots?
The meaning of beak clicking can be better understood by looking at the parrot’s behavior and body language. Here are the reasons why a parrot may click its beak:
Contentment
Beak clicking is often considered to be a happy beak sound. When a parrot clicks its beak out of satisfaction, the sounds are soft and accompanied by a calm demeanor.
The parrot may be sitting calmly and might make gentle clicking sounds. This type of behavior shows that the parrot feels safe and comfortable in its surroundings.
Playful Behavior
Playing with their beaks is one of the common ways parrots like to pass their free time. It is how they keep themselves engaged in their surroundings.
You might notice your parrot makes other kinds of vocalizations and is extra chatty when it is engaging with the environment around it.
To Clean Its Beaks
Parrots don’t have teeth and primarily use their beaks for breaking and tearing their food. But every so often they may get something stuck on their beak. So a clicking sound in this case may mean that they are trying to remove food that is stuck onto their beak.
Some parrots use their tongue against the roof of their beak to remove any sticky food they might have in their mouths. If your parrot looks displeased after trying to clean its beak, it may not be able to remove the stuck food properly. At that point, you may want to look into the problem yourself and help your parrot.
Aggressive Behavior
The clicking noise parrots make mostly has positive connotations, but sometimes it is also used as an expression of dislike or disapproval of something. A parrot making clicking sounds while avoiding contact with you can suggest that it is making aggressive displays.
A journal published by the Parrot Education & Adoption Center discusses the behaviors of a 17-year-old male Moluccan Cockatoo named Francis who showed such body language signs.
Francis showed his likes and dislikes through his body language. If he liked someone, he would bow his head to get his head scratched and petted. But if he disliked you, he would move back and begin clicking its beak.
Territorial Behaviour
A parrot’s cage is its territory that they are always ready to defend. If they do not particularly feel comfortable in their space, parrots can get aggressive in defending their territory. Beak clicking can be a subtle way of asserting their dominance if they feel threatened in any way.
This anger may be directed toward a bird, another pet, or people in general. It can be a person they may find threatening or maybe even a territorial dispute with another bird. You may hear louder clicks and sharp sounds when your parrot does it to express anger.
Fear
Parrots may sometimes click their beaks out of nervousness or fear. It is similar to how we would sometimes tap our legs when we’re feeling anxious. There are a variety of things that your parrot may find unsettling.
If you’ve recently made any changes in your house or around your parrot’s surroundings, you may want to recheck them with your parrot. Your best move here is to determine the cause of fear and address the stressor.
Beak Grinding Vs Beak Clicking
Both beak clicking and beak grinding are two distinct behaviors in parrots. The beak grinding sound is usually high-pitched because of the rubbing movement.
It produces a screechy intermittent noise. On the other hand, beak clicking is a repetitive tapping sound that is much softer.
The two sounds also have different purposes for parrots. With beak grinding it is commonly believed they do it to keep their beaks trimmed, whereas beak clicking can mean a few different things depending on other behavioral cues from the parrot.
Difference Between Tongue Clicking And Beak Clicking
Certain species of parrots, particularly, Ecelectus Parrots and Cockatoos seem to produce the clicking sound using their tongue. Whereas African Grey can simply imitate the sound from their throat.
Cockatoos usually make clicking sounds by moving their tongue against the roof of the mouth. They do not use their beaks to make this sound and hence it is more sharper and even human-like.
Is Beak Clicking Normal Behaviour In Parrots?
In most cases, beak clicking is normal behavior. If your parrot seems happy while clicking its beak and is in perfect health, you have nothing to worry about.
But, it is important to check other body language cues to understand why they may be making the sound.
As mentioned above, not all species of parrots make the same kind of clicking sound.
Some may use their beaks while others may not. In such a case, checking up on your parrot is a good idea to determine whether it is okay.
You should first inspect the beak and see if it has something the parrot is unable to get rid of. Next, you should make sure the parrot is breathing properly.
If your parrot makes a clicking sound with an open beak, it may be coming from its airways and can be a sign of respiratory problems. In this case, you should immediately visit an avian vet to find out if your parrot has any health issues.
Conclusion
Understanding the meaning behind your parrot’s strange sounds can be tricky. But more often than not, it really depends on the situation and close observation of their body language.
Parrots do not engage in a certain behavior for one particular reason. Likewise, a clicking sound may mean different things depending on how your parrot feels, but it is up to you to figure that out. This will help you take better care of your parrot and also deepen your bond with them.
