Beak clicking? Does this have a meaning?

Today Precious started making clicking sounds with his beak. It’s not the grinding noise that the budgies make when they are full and sleepy at night. He’s making this noise intentionally by opening and closing his mouth. I’m not sure if he’s trying to say something in bird talk or if it’s just something he’s picked up... Any idea what this means or if it even means anything?


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My cockatoo does this when showing off, happy, sassy, sexy, over-stimulated...it's a mixed bag LOL! 99% of the time for her, it is enthusiasm of some sort. I know it's not intimidation in my specific bird--cockatoos are relatives of cockatiels and I know a lot of Toos click. A light clicking for mycockatoo (like a quiet 1,2,3 pattern) is a contentment thing. They other (louder) stuff is playful or rambunctious-- mine does it when she is being silly and is all wound up/happy. Dunno if that helps you with your tiel...but wondering if it is similar.

Here's what I found on a website (I will say with certainty though that my cockatoo has NEVER used this when trying to keep me away...so maybe she's just weird)
"Clicking: Beak clicking is usually seen in cockatiels and cockatoos. If your parrot clicks once and pins his or her eyes but is otherwise unthreatening, your pet is greeting you or acknowledging something. If, on the other hand, your parrot clicks several times in a series you should consider this a warning that your parrot does not want to be handled." <--again, my too does it when she is being a clown...and seeking attention, but she may be the minority

Owls use the clicking of there beak as a form of intimidation. Trying to look and sound menacing.

I have no idea why a Cockatiel would do it. None of my ever have.

Just to clarify, you are certain that the sound is deliberate/beak-generated and not coming from the lungs or nares, correct? Sometimes a clicking sound can be heard if a bird has an infection.

noodles123 said:

Just to clarify, you are certain that the sound is deliberate/beak-generated and not coming from the lungs or nares, correct? Sometimes a clicking sound can be heard if a bird has an infection.

Click to expand...

This was completely an intentional opening and closing of the beak to make the noise. He hasn’t done it since, and has been very active. He went from pecking his perch to pecking his food bowl, clicking his beak and then wagged his tail, shook out his feathers and then started to play with his bell in the shredder toy hanging next to his rope perch.

If it happens again I’ll try to get a video.


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Never heard BB click his beak..but does ALOT of beak banging.


Jim

Tail wags indicate happy and confident.

noodles123 said:

Just to clarify, you are certain that the sound is deliberate/beak-generated and not coming from the lungs or nares, correct? Sometimes a clicking sound can be heard if a bird has an infection.

Click to expand...

Also, in addition to the clicking sound, you may see 'tail pumping' when tied to an infection.

SailBoat said:

noodles123 said:

Just to clarify, you are certain that the sound is deliberate/beak-generated and not coming from the lungs or nares, correct? Sometimes a clicking sound can be heard if a bird has an infection.

Click to expand...

Also, in addition to the clicking sound, you may see 'tail pumping' when tied to an infection.

Click to expand...

You mean front to back/up and down motion will indicate infection, right?

Precious wags his tail side to side like a dog would when he gets excited. Which is basically any time he sees us.


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Ijistcantsayno said:

SailBoat said:

noodles123 said:

Just to clarify, you are certain that the sound is deliberate/beak-generated and not coming from the lungs or nares, correct? Sometimes a clicking sound can be heard if a bird has an infection.

Click to expand...

Also, in addition to the clicking sound, you may see 'tail pumping' when tied to an infection.

Click to expand...

You mean front to back/up and down motion will indicate infection, right?

Precious wags his tail side to side like a dog would when he gets excited. Which is basically any time he sees us.


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Click to expand...

YEAH--pumping (up and down) vs wagging (side to side). Side to side is super happy. Up and down when breathing= possible respiratory issue.

I think I figured it out, possibly. My daughter was clicking at him earlier today. I guess she’s been trying to get him to make the “clock “ sound. I’m not sure if she started to try to get him to do that before or after I noticed the clicking.



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Here's the Rb's version, punctuated by "Hello, Gail!" at the end. He has done this since he was a baby, when looking for attention or showing off some swag. I think it was LaManuka who said he sounds like a Geiger Counter!