Focus: Vocalization Part I
Vocalization is a part of being a parrot.
By Sheila S. Blanchette, IAABC-CPBC, UW-AAB
As a Professional Certified Companion Bird Behavior Consultant/Trainer, I have helped companion bird people with teaching new behaviors. The one of the most common requests for assistance has focused around “Vocalization.” As every companion bird is an individual, and every situation is related to the individual’s environment.
It is important to remember our companion birds are not domesticated. Parrots have not been bred over many generations for specific traits such as temperament and personality. A wonderful book called Parrots of the Wild: A Natural History of the World’s Most Captivating Birds; the author writes “Many captive birds were born in the wild, and most are only a generation or two removed from their wild ancestors. Their physical and mental needs have evolved through natural selection in the wild, in the habitats they have occupied for thousands of years.”1
Parrots in the wild form flocks; each flock may have their own social complexity and interruptive vocalization. Vocalization is part of being a parrot. Throughout the day, from morning to evening, the flock takes part in activities, such as social interactions, flying, feeding, bathing, foraging, roosting, breeding, and vocalization.
In the Bird Behaviour Journal (1990 - 8: I0I-l10) an article was published called “Vocalizations of the Monk Parakeet” Monica B. Martella and Enrique H. Buch researched Monk Parrots (Quaker Parakeet) in the wild. In the field, they identified eleven types of vocalizations: Threat, Alarm, Flight, Greeting, Contact, Isolation, Chatter, Preening, Distress, Food Begging (Juvenile), and Feeding.2
Though the research is focused on a specific species of parrots in the wild, many of us, who have companion birds, may have heard one (or many) of these vocalizations in our household.
Many of us enjoy having companion birds in our home for companionship, support, and/or enjoyment. Many of our companion birds are not kept in flocks or in same species flocks. In some cases, these socialized parrots are kept alone. It is important to remember when having a companion bird, vocalization is going to occur; this is a natural behavior. We should not be expecting our companion birds to be quiet all the time; that is setting up an unreasonable environment. To get a possible insight of the purpose of the vocalization, create a logbook, and log the time, the location of the vocalization, and what is the bird is doing or looking at, and anything going on in the environment. For example, if you hear a specific vocalization at 10am, after you placed the bird by the window. Review the environment: Did something go by the window? (or hit the window)? If there is food in the location, was the bird eating while vocalizing?\Is there water in the location and the bird is taking a bath?
As you track the events in the logbook, a pattern may appear associated with vocalization (different vocalization) related to bathing, preening, threat, or chattering. The more you document, the more you will learn about your bird’s individual vocalization.
In next month’s blog, Focus: Vocalization (Part 2) – Abnormal (stereotypic) vs Learned Vocalization
References:
1 Parrots of the Wild: A Natural History of the World's Most Captivating Birds by Catherine A. Toft, Timothy F. Wright , University of California Press; First Edition (November 16, 2015)
2 Vocalizations of the Monk Parakeet, Monica B. Martella and Enrique H. Buche, Bird Behaviour 8: I0I-l l0,1990
Copyrighted. Blog posts may be used as guidelines for the proper care of your parrot. Not intended for medical or legal advice. Please consult with a licensed avian veterinarian regarding the medical care and wellbeing of your exotic pets.