There are a number of different things that can frighten your pet bird, and it is important that you are aware of them.
The more you learn about these things, the easier it will be to keep your pet calm.
How can I tell if my Bird is Scared?
You should be able to tell if your bird is scared rather easily. You will probably notice them exhibiting aggressive behavior. This includes loud screeching vocalization as well as flapping their wings.
Some birds will even start plucking out their own feathers if they become very scared. This is a very self-destructive behavior that you should not tolerate. It can cause a bacterial infection, which can be serious.
Things that scare your pet bird
1. Loud Noises
Any sudden loud noise can really startle a bird. This includes anything from ambulance sirens to thunder crashing during a storm. Even fireworks can spook a bird in a very noticeable way. A lot of birds will start making a lot of noise themselves if this happens, and it can be difficult to calm them down.
As long as the noise continues, your bird is likely to keep freaking out. Unfortunately, it can be quite difficult to anticipate when something like this is going to occur. The best you can do it to comfort them until the noise subsides.
2. Birds Outside
You might notice your pet bird acting erratically when they see a wild bird outside through a window. It doesn’t even have to be a very large bird for your pet to exhibit a stress response. You will probably notice them vocalizing loudly and flapping their wings like crazy.
This is a perfectly natural response to a threat that these animals have developed over thousands of years. While your bird may be perfectly safe in their cage, they don’t realize this when they see another one of their kind outside. All they know is that a potential predator is nearby.
3. Other Pets in the House
It is also possible for some other pet you have in the house to give your bird a scare. This is especially common with bird owners who also have a cat. Felines are known for snooping and being sneaky, which can frighten your bird quite a bit.
You will need to keep a close eye on any other pets that you have when you let your bird outside of its cage. This will ensure that it stays safe and doesn’t get frightened. If they get scared while out of their cage, it can be difficult to get them back in. It might be a good idea to put any cats or dogs you may have in another area of the house while you let your bird out.
4. Toys
In a terrible twist of irony, sometimes a bird can be startled by a toy that is intended to entertain and amuse them. This is particularly common with toys that make sound. It is never a good idea to give these animals any toys with squeakers, as they can choke on them if they get torn open.
You’ll want to make a point of taking the time to pick out the right toys for the type of bird you have. This will decrease the chances of this happening. Certain birds will actually attack toys when seeing them for the first time. This is basically their way of making sure it isn’t a threat.
5. Unfamiliar Faces
Sometimes a bird can become started or fearful when it sees someone it does not recognize near its cage. This too is a threat response that is perfectly natural for these animals. You can minimize the chances of this happening by socializing your bird while it is young.
6. Darkness
Pet birds are a lot like little kids in many ways, including their fear of the dark. A lot of birds have an inherent fear response when they are suddenly consumed by darkness. If your bird starts making a lot of noise when you cover its cage, you might have to let a little light show through. This is basically the avian equivalent of a nightlight.
How to Handle a Scared Bird
There are certain things that you will need to remember when it comes to dealing with your bird when it is clearly afraid. Making even a seemingly small mistake could result in the situation becoming even worse.
You will want to follow these steps when your bird is afraid:
- Slowly come towards the cage: First you will need to slowly come towards your bird’s cage. Make sure that you don’t make any sudden movements that could further frighten them. Even just your presence can really help with getting your bird to calm down as quickly as possible.
- Stay with them: You will want to make a point of staying with your bird while it calms itself down. There isn’t much that you can do directly, as tempting as you might be to try.
- Walk away: Once your bird has calmed down, you should slowly move away from their cage.
Conclusion
- Some of the common signs that your bird is scared of something include flapping wings, loud screeching sounds, and feather plucking.
- A loud noise all of a sudden from something like an ambulance outside can scare your bird quite a bit.
- These animals can also become frightened when they see larger birds outside, as they view them as predators.
- If you have other pets in your home like cats or dogs, they can scare your bird.
- It is a good idea to separate any other pets in your home from your bird when you let it out of its cage.
- Even toys can scare your bird, especially if they are not used to them yet. Some birds attack new toys out of sheer instinct.
- Your bird may react negatively to having its cage covered if there is no light shining through.
- The best way to handle your bird when it becomes visibly afraid is to stay by its cage and not make any sudden movements or loud noises.
