What Does It Mean When Parrots Squawk?

Parrots aren't known for their peace and quiet, so expect to live with some level of squawking if you have one of these birds. Close listening and observance of your bird's behavior can help you determine why she is squawking and what you can do to help quiet her. In the meantime, purchase some earplugs to drown out the volume.

  1. Morning and Night Noise

    • If your bird tends to wind up in the morning and evening, she's being instinctual. Wild parrots perform a sort of roll call in the morning, with each squawking to tell flock mates that she is present. An evening squawk serves to call all members of the flock back to home base. These sessions tend to last 15 to 30 minutes, but some parrots may squawk for longer. While you may not have luck quieting your bird during these times, you might be able to train her to whistle or sing instead. Or you can go along with it, knowing it's her thing. Call back to let her know you're present, too.

    What's Up?

    • Noise helps parrots communicate how they are feeling. Squawks can signify that parrots are happy, worried or frightened. If your bird squawks when someone new enters the home, she may be nervous. Squawks may be your bird's way of warning you about something, such as a perceived threat to the environment or even the fact that she needs water. Parrots sometimes squawk at one particular person, such as a guest or a child, if something about that person -- like fast movement or the presence of a baseball cap -- frightens them.

    Where Are You?

    • If your bird winds up when you leave the room, she is worried about where you are going and whether you will be back. Try calling to her while you're out of sight to reassure her. Consider establishing a phase such as, "Be right back." As you say this each time you leave the room, she'll learn that you will return shortly and she will decrease the noise. Develop another phrase, like "See you later" to use when you're leaving the house and will not be right back.

    Give Me That!

    • You've just sat down with a nice snack and now your bird is squawking. If you're eating something she enjoys, she's trying to ask for a piece. Calm this behavior by offering her some food before you sit down or by eating your snack in another room if you don't want to feed her.

    Other Causes

    • Some parrots squawk once you put them to bed. Sometimes, these birds prefer a completely dark environment for their rest, so completely covering their cage can help. Birds may squawk if they feel ignored; developing a habit of saying "Hello" when you arrive after a long day at work can soothe temperaments. Finally, birds may squawk when injured so it's important to rule out physical conditions. As you pay attention to different types of squawks, you may learn what she is trying to tell you.