Why Do Cats Chirp At Birds?

The reason cats chirp at birds is a bit more complicated than an attempt to lure prey into their paws. We still need more research to determine the actual cause of such vocalization.

Furthermore, cats can also chirp in other circumstances – for example, when seeing the owner, encountering another cat, playing, or being petted.

For the most part, chirping isn’t a cause for concern. But like any cat vocalization, it can tell you a lot about your pet’s emotional state.

Do All Cats Chirp?

Many owners noticing their cats chirping think this vocalization is unique to their pet, but this isn’t true. All cats chirp, but some do it more frequently than others.

Chirping is a universal feline vocalization used by cats of all breeds and ages. Typically, the most vocal cat breeds are also the ones chirping the most – Bengal, Burmese, Siamese, Oriental, Ocicat, Tonkinese, and Sphynx, to name a few.

Chirping is more common in young adult cats when their hunting instincts are at their peak and less widespread among senior cats that gradually lose interest in hunting.

This type of vocalization is instinctive in cats and occurs at a young age. Kittens as young as six weeks old can chirp at their mother when they want milk or at each other when playing, which looks irresistibly cute.

If your cat never chirps, there’s no need to worry. Perhaps, your pet isn’t particularly vocal in general. Some cats never make noise unless they are in pain or need to draw the owner’s attention to something urgent.

Like humans, cats have different personalities. The more extraverted a cat, the more likely it is to chirp. Shy cats often have difficulty expressing their emotions.

Interestingly, not only domestic cats chirp but also their wild relatives. Big cats such as lions, tigers, and cheetahs also make chirping sounds, although they can’t purr like ordinary domestic cats.

Are Cats Trying To Mimic Birds?

The most common scenario for a chirping cat is when it’s hunting. Although it isn’t the only reason for cat chirping, many felines indeed make chattering sounds when they observe a pigeon or crow through the window.

Chirping isn’t a typical vocalization for cats. Everyone knows that cats meow and purr, and birds chirp, right? Some feline owners suggest that cats are trying to mimic birds to lure them into their paws, and this theory seems logical.

In zoology, this phenomenon is known as aggressive mimicking. Some predator species use mimicry to appeal to their prey. For example, ant-mimicking spiders look like giant ants, and the orchid mantis presents itself as an orchid flower.

A 2005 expedition by the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Federal University of Amazonas recorded a small wild cat margay mimicking noises of a baby monkey tamarin to attract other tamarins to explore the area.

People living in the Amazon have shared numerous anecdotes of wild cats, such as jaguars and pumas, mimicking the sounds of small primates and rodents.

Could cats be equally creative and cunning? Likely not. Many scholars have presented such a theory, but further research has shown that domestic cats have different reasons for chirping at birds.

Birds aren’t that dumb, and cats know it. Predators using aggressive mimicking in the wild usually aren’t visible to the target or visually resemble their prey.

Cats, on the other hand, look nothing like birds and won’t fool anyone. However, cat chirping may have something to do with their hunting instincts.

When a cat catches prey, it makes a so-called death bite on the neck. Chirping may be an involuntary expression of this action caused by overstimulation.

A Noise Of Frustration

British anthropologist Desmond Morris has presented a plausible theory regarding cat chirping in his book about feline behavior. He suggests that chirping is a “vacuum activity.”

The term vacuum activity refers to innate, fixed behavioral patterns that occur in animals in the absence of the natural stimulus that triggers such behavior.

In other words, cats chirp when they are unable to meet their desire. Turns out, chirping is a noise of frustration!

Remember about the death bite cats use to terminate their prey? Chirping is a vacuum activity triggered by a cat’s inability to employ its death bite on a bird.

When a cat sees prey but is unable to reach it, it becomes agitated. Chirping helps a cat relieve its emotions and regain mental well-being.

Some domestic cats also chatter at toys when they can’t reach them. For example, if you hide your cat’s wand toy on a high shelf your pet can’t jump to, it may chirp at the toy when it wants to play.

Similarly, intact cats may chirp when looking out the window at potential mating partners.

A female feline in heat or an intact male cat can become highly frustrated if they must sit at home and watch other cats go on about their lives without restrictions.

However, some cats also chirp at targets they can reach. Perhaps, this vocalization is caused by an adrenaline surge, similar to how people scream on a roller coaster.

A Sound Of Acknowledgment & Excitement

Cats don’t always chirp when hunting. Many feline owners report their cats tweeting at them, at food, at other cats, or when they are released outdoors.

Some cats, particularly those with an extroverted personality, use chirping as a greeting to other cats and people. It’s the feline equivalent of “hello,” although we don’t know why some cats use meowing for acknowledgment and others chattering.

A cat chirping when playing is perfectly normal behavior caused by excitement overload. When a cat is overstimulated and doesn’t know how else to express its emotions, it may start vocalizing.

If your cat chirps at another cat, it may be both a greeting and a sign of aggression. In that case, watch your cat’s overall body language to distinguish joyful chirping from hostile.

Chirping & Body Language

Whenever your cat chirps, watch its body language to determine the vocalization reason. Vocalization and body language in cats are closely tied, reflecting the cat’s mood and intentions.

Often, you can identify the reason for a cat chirping by the environment and situation. But in other cases, it gets tricky – for example, when a cat is chirping at another cat or hunting.

Note your cat’s tail, posture, eyes, and ears. When cats are chirping at a bird or another hunting target, they typically have an alert stance, dilated pupils, and sideways pointing ears. Hunting cats usually twitch the end of their tail.

Unfortunately, excitement during playing or hunting can quickly turn into aggression. In that case, the cat’s ears are usually pressed down, the spine is arched, and the tail is thrashing or thumping.

If a cat is chirping out of excitement, it will have a relaxed posture and upward-standing ears. A tail hooked in a question mark is always a good sign, indicating that a cat invites you to interact or is curious.

A cat chirping at the owner or another cat as a greeting will have either a quivering tail or a relaxed tail pointing straight up.

A quivering tail may also indicate that a cat marks its territory, but it isn’t usually accompanied by chirping.

Why Does My Cat Chirp At Me?

Because cats usually chirp when hunting, many owners are worried when their cat chirps at them. However, this vocalization usually isn’t a reason for concern unless the cat shows other signs of aggression.

A cat chattering at the owner typically is an expression of excitement and affection. Cats often make this oddly cute noise when they haven’t seen the owner for a while.

Your cat may also chirp at you when you’re holding something it wants madly but can’t reach, be it treats or its favorite toy.

“Why does my cat chirp at me when I sneeze?” is a common question among feline owners. Chirping, in this case, likely isn’t a cat’s way to say “bless you” but an expression of annoyance or fear from a sudden sound.

If a cat chirps when petted, it may be annoyed or happy. Watch your cat’s body language to avoid being mauled in a surge of petting aggression.

Some cats chirp when purring out of pleasure, but if trilling sounds in your cat’s purring occurred recently, have your cat checked by a vet to rule out respiratory conditions.

Should You Discourage Chirping?

Chirping is natural for acts and should not be discouraged. Trying to force a cat not to chirp is like trying to make a human stop talking.

If your cat is chirping too much and it’s getting on your nerves, identify the cause of the issue.

Maybe your cat spends too much time at the window and doesn’t have enough toys – in that case, dedicate more time to playing with your cat.

Or, if your cat is intact, but you don’t plan to breed it, have it spayed or neutered. Never scold your cat for chirping because from the cat’s standpoint, it hasn’t done anything wrong.

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