Birds communicate to other birds and also communicate to their owners, in a variety of ways. While all species have their own unique methods of bird language, there are many generalities.

Birds use their body, body parts and voices to express a wide range of emotions.

Ways Birds Communicate

Barking Some birds give out a type of bark when excited or when trying to prove their dominance.

Beak Clicking When a bird is clicking it's beak, it is trying to tell others it is threatened or that it is protecting something.

Beak Grinding When a bird grinds it's beak bird is trying to communicate it is feeling secure and content.

Beak Wiping When a bird wipes it's beak bird is trying to communicate that he is aggravated or upset about something. Beak wiping is also typically normal behavior for birds when they are trying to clean beak or dislodge something stuck in it.

See Also Why Bird's Bite http://petcaretips.net/bird-biting.html

Chattering Some birds just like to talk, talk about anything; their environment, how they feel, state of union.... so to communicate their thoughts, they chatter, sometimes incessantly, sometimes loud, sometimes soft.

Young birds chirp or chatter when they want fed. Birds in wild often chatter as a warning sign to other birds that something is not right in their environment, or as a call to attract another bird's attention.

Crouching If bird is crouching with it's head toward owner, birds wants to be petted or scratched.

If crouching with head down, relaxed body and raised wings, bird wants attention.

If crouching with head down, eyes pinning, flared tail feathers, ruffled feathers, and a rigid body, bird is giving a warning to back off.

Flashing or Dilating Pupils Flashing or dilating pupils bird may be trying to communicate aggression, excitement, nervousness, or pleasure.

Create a Good Team of Advisors

□ Find A Great Vet. One of best ways to find a great vet is to ask for referrals from friends and neighbors. It is best to ask people whose relationship with their dog is similar to yours. The Humane Society of US notes some other things to keep in mind would be convenience: are their hours amenable to your schedule? Is it easy to get an appointment? Do they have an effective emergency system in case your dog slits her foot on a holiday? How many vets are in practice? How about parking and space to load and unload your dog? If you have an unusual breed of dog, or one that is generally accepted as a ‘difficult’ breed (like a Pit-Bull, Chow Chow, etc) how comfortable are they handling your pet? Once you’ve narrowed down your list of vets, schedule an appointment to meet with staff, take a tour of facility and ask them for references from their clients.

□ Be a Good Vet Client. When you’ve found right vet for you and your dog, it’s important that you work hard to maintain relationship. Know your dog. By understanding his personality and when “not right” is more than just a pulled muscle from an invigorating game of Frisbee™ you can help your vet isolate and catch diseases such as Lyme Disease. If you are aware of nuances of your pet’s regular behavior, you will not spend more time than necessary calling or visiting your vet. Keep up to date on preventive care and keep your doctor in loop if you are trying new or holistic care options. If you have an appointment, be sure to show up on time and make sure your dog is on a leash.