Parrots make different types of noises to express different feelings.
The best noises from your parrot are the sweet and happy ones especially when they mimic you!
However, your parrot can also make sad or angry noises.
As a parrot parent, you should know how to differentiate these noises and what they mean.
One of the noise a parrot makes is hissing.
When a parrot is happy, it chirps, whistles, clicks its tongue, or purrs.
Parrot usually chatters to communicate with other parrots, especially before sleeping at night.
When a parrot is scared, it will screech or squeak, while a sad parrot will cry. (Related article – Do parrots cry?)
A angry or displeased parrot will hiss, click the beak, or growl.
The answer to the question – Why do parrots hiss?
Parrots hiss to express discomfort or anger.
Why Do Parrots Hiss? 10 Reasons Why Your Parrot Hisses
The following may be reasons why your parrot is hissing.
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It is feeling threatened or frightened
Your parrot will hiss when it sees or senses a stranger nearby.
A unfamiliar face is likely to threaten or frighten your bird.
It will most likely hiss and make other noises to scare away the intruder or alert you of the intruder.
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It is scared of another bird or animal around it
Your parrot will hiss when it sees another unfamiliar bird or animal around it.
If you have brought in another pet, your parrot might feel intimidated or threatened by the animal.
It will respond to such feelings with a hiss or other noises express discomfort.
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It is resisting being patted or touched
Sometimes your parrot does not wish to be affectionate or feel touched.
If you are petting or touching your parrot and it hisses or making other angry sounds, stop or else it might bite you.
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There is a strange object in their cage
Parrots are aware of their surroundings and will notice if there is a change.
If you have placed something strange in its cage, it will react by hissing or making other noises to express discomfort.
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It does not like the food you offered it
If your parrot does not like the food you serve, it will reject the food by avoiding it and make noises such as hissing.
You can try offering it different types of food to see what it prefers.
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Your female parrot is nesting
If your female parrot is hissing or making aggressive noises, it may be nesting or just about to lay eggs.
If you get close to its cage or nest during this period, it will react by hissing at you or attempting to bite you.
When female parrots are nesting, their protective instincts kick in automatically.
Best thing you can do?
Stay away!
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Your parrot needs to get out of the cage
Another possible reason your parrot is hissing or aggressive is that it needs some play time out of the cage.
So it’s hissing to remind you to let it out of the cage.
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It does not want to get back in the cage
If you are trying to put the parrot back in its cage after some time outside, and it starts to hiss, it is resisting getting back into the cage.
It needs to have more playtime outside the cage.
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It just feels like hissing
Your parrot is not angry, scared, or feel threatened.
It simply wants to hiss and make other funny noises for no reason.
Or it just wants you to acknowledge its presence.
There we have it
10 possible reasons why your parrot is hissing
Now, what should you do if your parrot hisses at you?
Let’s find out..
What Should I Do If My Parrot Hisses At Me?
As noted above, of the significant reasons why your parrot is hissing at you is to express anger or discomfort.
The best thing to do when it’s hissing at you is to go away until your birdie calms down.
If you insist on staying around, it might attack you by trying to bite you
At this time, your parrot needs some time alone to calm down.
Do not force interactions or try to calm it down.
It might injure you.
Once it’s calm, you can give it a treat and show affection.
That way, it will learn to trust you, leading to a healthier relationship in the long run.
How Do You Know If a Parrot Hates You?
A parrot will show you certain behaviors to express its feelings towards you.
If your parrot does not like you, here are signs to look for:
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It will bite you
There are several reasons why the parrot can bite you, and one of them is if they are expressing a dislike for you.
However, look for other signs to rule out biting as a sign of displeasure for you.
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Screaming
Typically, parrots are chatty.
However, if you pass by the cage and it suddenly starts screaming, it means your parrot does not like your presence at that moment.
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Decreased Vocalization
When a parrot likes you, it will be chatty and noisy in a sweet way.
However, if your parrot has decreased vocalization when you are around, it is because it is probably unhappy with your presence.
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It is unbothered
If your parrot likes you, it will manifest some outward behavior when you are around to show affection.
Some of the behaviors include body contact, flapping wings, funny theatrics and more.
However, if your bird is unbothered by your presence, it will not do any of that.
Another article you can check out is – Why is my parrot mad at me?
How Do You Tell If Your Parrot Is Bonded To You?
Here are signs that your parrot adores you.
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It wants to be close to you and wants to make body contact.
A parrot will want to snuggle and make body contact with you to show affection.
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It will flap its wings
Parrots and other birds flap their feathers to express their feelings.
If you approach your parrot and it flaps its wings, it is a sign it is happy to see you.
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It hangs upside down
Another sign that your parrot adores you is, if it is hanging in an upside-down position.
It is an indication that your parrot trusts you and is comfortable with your presence.
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It starts to preen when you are around and tries to groom you
A parrot and most birds will preen when they are comfortable.
If your parrot is cleaning around you, it means it is pleased with your presence.
Additionally, it will try to groom you too.
For instance, it will run its beak through your hair, gently bite your ears, or do anything other than telltale signs to show affection.
- The pupils dilate
The pupils of birds can dilate or constrict based on their environment.
Pay attention to your parrot when you enter the room.
If their pupil dilates once you come in, your parrot is excited to see you.
Wrapping Up
Parrots are fantastic pet birds and can express themselves in different ways.
Like you, it experiences different feelings such as excitement, boredom, hunger, anger, and fear.
It reacts differently to these emotions.
Hissing is one of many ways a parrot expresses anger, discomfort, frustration, or fear.
Try as much as possible to understand the different feelings behind your parrot’s noise so you can understand your bird
This is important to build a strong and healthy relationship with your parrot
Hopefully this article has helped you to understand your parrot in some ways!
