As strange as it sounds and as amusing as it looks, digging is normal behavior that all parrots display.
As many parrot owners say, parrots dig to China multiple times a day and with various levels of fervor.
Why Does My Parrot Try To Dig? (In Detail)
Digging is a typical behavior among parrots.
Could this strange behavior have another meaning?
Let’s discuss it in detail!
Juvenile Behavior
Digging is a part of parrots’ natural wild behavior.
Parrots, especially the young ones, are often seen digging because they are new at this and learning.
You can tell this if you know the age of your parrot.
And don’t worry!
As your parrots grow old, they gradually bring this practice under control.
They Need An Escape
Some parrots do it to draw their owners’ attention and tell them they want to get out of their cages.
They do it in the corner of the cage where the door is placed.
Burrowing
This is one of the reasons why your parrot digs.
When parrots are brought to their new homes, they get scared and intimidated by almost anything!
They start burrowing and hiding inside the holes to protect themselves.
As your parrot becomes familiar and comfortable with you and your home, it eventually stops doing it.
To Call Out For Help
Some parrot owners say they saw their feathered friends frantically digging using their beaks or feet because they were bothered by their leg bands or a new toy in their cage, and this is one of their ways of calling out for help!
Illness
Parrots are fantastic at hiding their emotions and illnesses.
According to veterinarians, ailing parrots engage in strange behaviors and do things they usually don’t.
For instance, if your calm parrot starts digging at the corner of your cage, it could be because it isn’t feeling well.
For Pleasure
This may sound bizarre, but parrots sometimes dig to give themselves pleasure, according to veterinarians.
Should I Be Worried My Parrot Is Digging Too Much?
Absolutely!
If your parrot is digging more than usual and in an apparently strange way, you must take it seriously and see what’s wrong.
We have made a list of the most common reasons.
Excessive Frustration & Stress
Parrots dig too much when they are stressed or frustrated.
Maybe they are intimidated by the ceiling fan looming over their cage or by another pet in your house.
Parrots are prey animals, and they get scared and consequently stressed by even the minor sounds and movements.
So, be careful.
Out Of Reluctance & Retaliation
Some parrots dig out of retaliation because they have been asked to do something they don’t like or aren’t prepared for.
According to a parrot owner, one time, she put her parrot to sleep in the sleep cage, and she started digging hysterically because it didn’t want to sleep but play with its new toy that the owner bought recently.
Overgrown Beak
This can be one of the reasons why your parrot is digging too much.
Their beaks may have been overgrown due to an illness or infection.
Beaks are an essential part of a parrots’ body.
They act as a solid appendage and help parrots hold on to things, balance as they move about, and groom and eat.
How To Tell If My Parrot Is Stressed?
Since parrots can’t speak, they express their emotions differently.
While too much digging signifies that your feathered friend is suffering from stress, there are other signs as well.
Here are some of the most common signs that indicate that your parrot is stressed.
- Biting
- Screaming
- Decreased Vocalization
- Feather picking
- Self-mutilation
- Decreased appetite
Is My Parrot Nesting Because Of Constant Digging?
Maybe Yes.
According to veterinarians, constant digging is due to nesting.
Parrots scratch their cage surface to keep their nest clear of debris, dirt, and anything they think can harm their babies.
