It’s not uncommon for parrots to make unusual sounds that their owners may not understand. One such sound is a purring or cooing noise that can sound similar to a cat’s purr. There are a few possible reasons why a parrot might make this sound.
Contentment
One of the most common reasons parrots make a purring noise is when they are relaxed and content. This purring or cooing is often accompanied by closed eyes and a fluffed-up appearance as the bird settles in comfortably. The purr signifies the parrot is happy and feeling safe and secure with its environment and owner. It’s a pleasant vocalization that owners can feel good about hearing from their pet.
Breeding Behavior
Some parrot species may make a purring sound when they are ready to mate and breed. The purring can help get the attention of a potential mate and signal receptiveness. Female parrots may especially exhibit this behavior when they have a hormonal cycle that triggers a desire to breed. The purring sound invites a male parrot to come over and engage in mating rituals. This is most common with bonded parrot pairs but can sometimes occur randomly during hormonal fluctuations.
Respiratory Issue
In some cases, unusual purring or clicking sounds from a parrot may indicate a respiratory infection or illness. Congestion from something like pneumonia or asthma can cause purring or popping when the bird breathes. Other symptoms like discharge from the nares, difficulty breathing, or lethargy will usually accompany illness-related purring. It’s important to have a vet examine the parrot if the purring sound seems abnormal or excessive.
Asthma
Asthma is one respiratory issue that can lead to purring or wheezing in parrots. The airways constrict and fill with mucus, making it hard for the bird to breathe properly.
Aspergillosis
Aspergillosis is a fungal infection often caused by moldy environments that can affect the respiratory system. It can cause purring, sneezing, and discharge.
Pneumonia
Bacterial, viral, or fungal pneumonia infections can all cause congestion, difficulty breathing, and purring when inhaling or exhaling.
Displaying Contentment
Some parrots learn that making a purring noise elicits a positive response from their owners, who find it cute or reassuring. The parrot then starts making the sound when it sees its owner as a way to say “I’m happy!” This is often reinforced if the owner reacts positively and gives the parrot attention when it purrs. With conditioning, the purring becomes a way for the parrot to display its contentment to its beloved owner.
Mimicking Other Sounds
Parrots are excellent mimics and can recreate sounds they hear frequently, even if they don’t understand the purpose. A parrot may start copying the purr of a beloved housecat or the cooing of a dove outside the window. This mimicry isn’t always meaningful – it’s just something the parrot has picked up from its environment and incorporated into its repertoire of vocalizations. Making sure the parrot has plenty of interaction with owners and other engaging sounds can help reduce meaningless purring.
Signs of Trouble
While purring in parrots often indicates something positive, there are some signs that the sound could reflect an underlying medical issue:
- Purring accompanied by discharge, wheezing, or open-mouth breathing
- Sudden increase in frequency or duration of purring
- Not eating or acting normally otherwise
- Sitting fluffed up at bottom of cage
If any of these symptoms occur along with cooing or purring, it’s important to have a qualified avian vet examine the bird for potential illness. Don’t assume purring is normal without evaluating other signs.
When to See the Vet
See your avian vet if the parrot’s purring is accompanied by any of the following:
- Labored breathing
- Discharge from nares or eyes
- Wheezing
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Feather plucking
- Sudden weight loss
- Swelling or inflammation
- Overly fluffed feathers
- Abnormal stool
These symptoms in conjunction with persistent purring need medical attention to diagnose and treat any potential illness. Don’t delay scheduling an appointment with the vet.
When to Call the Vet Immediately
Some emergency symptoms requiring urgent vet care along with purring include:
- Difficulty breathing with tail bobbing or an open beak
- Extreme lethargy, weakness, or inability to perch
- Cyanosis – bluish discoloration of skin or nails
- Trauma or bleeding from injury
- Seizures
- Sudden paralysis or loss of balance
- Unconsciousness
If your parrot exhibits any of these life-threatening symptoms call your vet’s emergency number right away for guidance. Prompt treatment is critical with these severe signs of distress. Don’t wait to see if symptoms improve on their own.
Diagnostic Tests
To get to the root cause of abnormal purring in parrots, vets may recommend:
- Radiographs to visualize internal issues
- Bloodwork to check for infection and organ function
- Endoscopy to examine the airways and lungs
- Microbial culture to identify bacterial or fungal infections
- Biopsy of masses or tissues
- DNA sexing to check for female hormonal fluctuations
- Fecal gram stain to test for parasites
These tests along with a physical exam can help determine if illness is causing the purring sound in a parrot.
Potential Treatments
Depending on the underlying cause, purring in parrots may be treated by:
- Antibiotics for bacterial infections
- Antifungals for aspergillosis
- Inhaled steroids and bronchodilators for asthma
- Fluids and supportive care for pneumonia
- Hormone injections to reduce breeding behavior
- Changing to pelleted diet to reduce hormonal triggers
- Environmental changes to eliminate irritants
- Nebulization to deliver medications into the respiratory tract
Follow your avian vet’s recommendations closely to help resolve any medical issue prompting purring. Monitor for side effects and discuss any concerns about treatments with your vet.
When it’s Nothing to Worry About
In many cases, purring or cooing in parrots is completely normal and not a cause for health concerns. Try to identify purring as innocent when:
- It’s soft and intermittent, not loud or constant
- No other symptoms are present
- Your parrot is acting normal otherwise
- The purring happens when your parrot seems relaxed
- Your parrot has not been exposed to any illness recently
- Purring doesn’t appear to cause your parrot distress
As long as your parrot seems happy and healthy otherwise, enjoy the soothing purr as a sign your parrot feels safe and content. There’s usually no need to intervene or stop normal purring behavior.
Preventing Problematic Purring
You can reduce the chances of your parrot developing medical conditions that lead to abnormal purring by:
- Avoiding smoke, fumes, and other air pollutants
- Maintaining proper humidity and hygiene
- Regular cleaning to prevent mold and bacteria buildup
- Annual exams to catch issues early
- Balanced diet with lots of antioxidants
- Avoiding overcrowding to reduce contagious illness transmission
- Eliminating stressors likes sudden changes in environment or diet
- Providing plenty of safe toys, exercise, and mental stimulation
Stopping problems before they start is ideal to keep your parrot healthy and happy long-term.
When to Seek a Second Opinion
Always trust your instincts as an owner. If your parrot’s purring continues despite initial treatment, it’s reasonable to seek another perspective. Some signs it may be time for a second opinion include:
- Your parrot isn’t improving within the expected treatment timeframe
- The original diagnosis doesn’t seem to fully fit your parrot’s symptoms
- You notice additional or worsening symptoms
- New symptoms develop after initial treatment
- Your parrot seems to be in distress or pain despite treatment
- You have unanswered questions about underlying causes
- You want to confirm the original diagnosis and treatment plan
Don’t feel bad about seeking another qualified avian vet’s point of view if any doubts linger after the first exam and diagnosis. A different perspective may provide more insight into your parrot’s health.
Caring for a Purring Parrot
If your parrot’s purring results from contentment or mimicking sounds, enjoy it as a sign your parrot is thriving! Here are some tips for responding to normal purring:
- Use a calm, soothing voice and gentle strokes when your parrot purrs to reinforce this as a relaxing, positive behavior.
- Make sure your parrot’s environment stays comfortable and nurturing to encourage ongoing contentment.
- Give your parrot attention and interact when it purrs so it associates you with feeling safe and happy.
- Consider recording your parrot’s cute purring sounds to enjoy later.
- Schedule playtime with toys when your parrot seems to purr from happiness and contentment.
- Never yell at or startle a purring parrot, even if the sound becomes excessive. This can cause confusion and anxiety.
- Monitor time spent around other pets or electronics producing sounds your parrot may mimic.
With patience and care, you can maintain your bond and keep your vocal parrot purring with joy!
FAQs
Is it normal for parrots to purr?
It’s normal for parrots to make a wide range of vocalizations, including cooing, purring, and mimicked sounds. In moderation, purring can signal a content, happy, and healthy parrot. However, excessive or abnormal purring could indicate a medical problem requiring veterinary attention.
Do only certain breeds of parrots purr?
Purring or cooing sounds are common in many different parrot species, including cockatiels, budgies, cockatoos, Amazon parrots, conures, and more. The sound may be somewhat unique between breeds, but overall purring vocalizations can happen in a wide variety of parrot types when happy or ready to breed.
Is purring in parrots the same as other animals like cats?
Cats and parrots purr for different reasons. Cats purr primarily when they are content and relaxed. Parrots expand their purring to also include breeding cues, mimicking behaviors, or respiratory issues. The sound itself can be similar, but does not always carry the same meaning in parrots as cats.
Should I try to make my parrot purr more?
Don’t force your parrot to purr, as this could cause stress. Instead, focus on maintaining a comfortable environment, enriching your parrot’s life with toys and bonding time, and praising purring that happens naturally when your parrot is relaxed and happy. This positive reinforcement may naturally increase innocent purring.
How can I tell if my parrot’s purring is normal?
Assess if the purring occurs when your parrot seems content, if it comes and goes naturally, and if your parrot doesn’t show any signs of illness. If the purring causes lethargy, appetite loss, or other concerning symptoms, have your vet examine your parrot. Brief periods of relaxed purring are usually normal.
Conclusion
Parrots make great companions, but sometimes exhibit behaviors like purring that can cause confusion or concern for owners. While purring is often perfectly normal, excessive or abnormal cooing may require veterinary attention. Stay alert to other symptoms, maintain your parrot’s health, and enjoy the soothing sound of a happy parrot’s purr as you bond with your feathery friend. With proper care and vigilance, problematic purring can be avoided. If issues do arise, work closely with an avian vet to get your parrot purring with joy once again.