There are plenty of ways we humans show love to our parrots. We give them treats, and scratches, teach them new tricks and clean their environment. When they accept our affection, it makes us feel good.

But how do our birds show their affection back to us?

Do our feathered friends even love us?

Yes, they do, and below are 17 ways they show their affection to us…

How Birds & Parrots Show Affection (17 Cute Ways)

1. They Preen, Clean, & Groom You

The most common way for parrots to show affection, both to human flock members and other birds, is by preening. If your birds ever preen your hair, clothing, or fingers, it means they’re trying to clean you, which is a sign of love.

Scratch them back to show your own affection!

2. Preenings Themselves Near You

Not necessarily a direct show of affection, but if your parrot preens themselves near you or especially on you (as my cockatiel is doing above), it means they’re very comfortable with you. And when a bird is that comfortable around someone, they likely see them as a flock member and have a great deal of affection for them.

3. Sleeping On You

A bird must have great trust in their owners if they drop their guard enough to sleep on them. Just like the previous point, this isn’t a direct show of affection, but it means they’re super comfortable around you, which can indicate affection.

It’s alright for your parrots to fall asleep on you, but don’t fall asleep while they’re out of the cage.

Accidents can easily happen that way.

4. When They Fly Over To You

When your bird flies over to you without the incentive of treats, it means they want to hang out.

If you don’t have treats and they’re not socially dependent on you, then the only other reasons why they would fly to you is for your attention and companionship. Perhaps they’re flying over to take a nap (or poop) on your shoulder or they want you to preen them.

Either way, it’s super cute and you should see it as a sign of affection!

5. Vocalising For Your Attention

Despite how annoying some vocalisation can be, it’s often done to attract the attention of valued flock members, which includes you and other birds. However, boredom, hunger, stress, and a range of other reasons unrelated to you can also cause a bird to vocalise.

But vocalising for YOUR attention and company means they value you as a flock member!

6. Regurgitating On You (Gross!)

One of the most obvious signs that your parrot loves you is when they regurgitate or vomit food for you. A bonded pair of parrots and birds that are mating often show affection to each other by regurgitating food for them.

You should definitely discourage this often hormonal behaviour, but just know that it is a bird’s natural gesture of affection.

7. They Ask You For Scratches

You should feel very loved if your bird is constantly asking you for head scratches.

Throughout the day, my cockatiel will often fly over to my working desk and bow his head directly in front of my fingers while they’re typing on the computer. Most times he gets his 5-minute scratch session and then flies away or jumps to my shoulder.

This behaviour is one of the most obvious signs of affection.

8. Showing Heart Wings To You (Mainly Cockatiels)

Although I’ve seen some other birds present heart wings, it’s mostly a cockatiel gesture.

A cockatiel showing heart wings can indicate many things, such as excitement, happiness, and attention seeking, or they could be trying to woo a female. Generally, they do it when they’re in a heightened state. If your cockatiel shows heart wings when you approach or give them attention, it likely means they’re happy to see you!

9. Low-Volume Cooing Sounds (Pigeon Exclusive)

With pigeons, cooing can be a sign of comfort, contentment, and happiness. Other meanings can include regular communication and attracting a mate, but they’ll often strut around with their chest puffed out when trying to woo.

The pigeon in the video above is not attracting a mate and is comfortably cooing to their owner.

If you have a pigeon and they “coo” around you often, they likely have a great deal of affection for you.

10. When Parrots Mimic You

One of the most entertaining parts about living with parrots is their ability to copy human speech. Although it’s not a direct show of affection, your bird certainly listens to you and is very interested in you if they’re repeating your words or sounds.

Repeat sounds back to your parrots to further encourage their fun mimicking!

11. Eye Pinning/Eye Flashing

Eye pinning or eye flashing is when the parrot’s pupils dilate, becoming wider and smaller.

It’s a signal that is clearer with species like budgies, African greys, and macaws than it is with dark-eyed birds like cockatiels. Generally, eye pinning indicates excitement, which can be caused by a new toy, favourite foods, or from seeing their favourite person.

If your parrot eye pins when you give them attention, it means they’re excited to see you!

12. Showing Jealous Behaviour When You Give Attention To Someone Else

Ok… This one is a bit specific and not all birds get jealous, even if they love you more than life itself.

But you can be sure that your bird has affection for you if they act needy whenever you give attention to another human, a dog, a cat, or your other birds. Some parrots might scream for your attention to go back to them or they might even nibble you or who you gave attention to if they’re feeling mischievous.

I think the video above is a perfect example of what a jealous cockatiel acts like.

You shouldn’t encourage jealous bird behaviour, but know it comes from a place of love.

13. Hopping Around (Caiques & Lorikeets)

Hopping is a way for small parrots to move quickly without flying.

However, parrots, especially caiques and lorikeets, have been known to hop around when excited or to grab attention from a beloved flock member. If it seems like they start hopping whenever you’re around, it could be a show of affection and excitement for seeing you.

This behaviour is not always a sign of affection, but it can be in some situations.

14. They Following Commands, Tricks, And What You’ve Taught Them

Simply listening to command phrases and doing the trick is not a sign of affection. But the fact that they listen to you and act out your desired behaviours means they trust you. And with birds, they’re normally affectionate toward those they trust.

Or maybe they just love the treats!

Any form of training does increase the bond between you and your bird, so keep it up and they’ll show you more obvious signs of affection.

15. Accepting Grabs

Your bird DEFINITELY loves and trusts you if they allow you to grab them.

Even allowing your hands to grasp their body slightly is a huge sign of trust. However, this behaviour is most common in hand-raised parrots and not allowing you to grab them doesn’t mean they don’t love you, it just means they aren’t comfortable with grabs.

16. Blushing (Going Red In The Face)

Yes, parrots do blush and some parts of the face go bright red like a tomato!

(You can see a reddish hue around the macaw’s face in the video above)

This is most apparent with macaws as they barely have any feathers around the blushing parts of the face, but all parrots blush, according to BirdTricks. Blushing can be caused by both excitement and stress, so you really need to know what cues this behaviour with your individual bird.

If they blush from your attention, praise, or company, they’re likely keen on you.

17. Shaking Their Tail Feathers

Just like preening and beak grinding, a bird shaking their tail feathers is a sign of relaxation.

Being able to relax around you is already a sign of affection and trust, so shaking their tail feathers around you is just a different way they show how they feel.

Fun Fact: Some birds shake their tail feathers before pooping, so watch your shoulders!

How Birds Show Affection To Other Birds

Most species of wild parrots form strong bonds with their mating partners and will only tolerate the rest of the flock. They show their affection to their mate by preening their head and body feathers, regurgitating food for them, and of course, mating with them.

Most parrots, including cockatiels and budgies, will only show affection towards their dedicated mates.

If a male parrot ever tried to woo or show affection to another male’s mate, he would get attacked.

Parrots are very territorial over their mates and will attack rival birds who get too close.

Younger birds, however, will show affection toward all flock members until they’re old enough to find a mate.

Parrots will also preen, feed, and care for their babies, showing affection.

Sources:

• https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/questions/cockatiel-behavior-4/
• https://birdtricksstore.com/blogs/birdtricks-blog/why-do-macaws-blush
• https://www.gotpigeonsaz.com/blog/pigeon-cooing-is-more-than-just-annoying/
• https://birdtricksstore.com/blogs/birdtricks-blog/putting-happy-on-cue-with-your-parrot-how-to-do-it
• https://birdtricksstore.com/blogs/parrot-care-blog/parrot-eye-pinning-and-what-it-means

Featured image credit: Pixabay