Why does cat chatter at birds

Some owners suggest that the cat may be performing a type of mimicry to attract the birds. Many people believe that if one cat can do it, they all possess some inherent ability to do the same. Your cat may be excited and suffering from overstimulation when it sees several birds on a nearby rooftop, and the chatter and noise are simply a result of that. Humans laugh, cry, yell, talk nervously, and have all kinds of changes in behavior due to an external stimulus, and your cat is undergoing something similar.

Some people believe that the cat could be making the chattering sound to let other cats know it has found food or something outside. Many owners point out that if you mimic the chattering sound, your cat will usually come running to see what you are doing, backing up the statement.

The chattering sound could be a response to adrenalin that starts pumping when the cat sees something within range. Many humans start to shake uncontrollably when they are overly excited, and the chattering your cat makes can be something similar.

Your cat might not chatter in a real hunt because it burns off the adrenalin in the pursuit as it prepares to take down its prey. We have never seen any cats suffer any ill effects from the chattering. Once the birds or other antagonist moves on, the cat will return to normal. The cat may also move on in a few minutes, and change positions to no longer see the birds.

As you can see, there are several reasons why your cat might be chattering. Chirps can take on different tones and pitches. Some cats have very loud, quick chirps, while other cats have a quieter, lower chirp spaced out. Cats have unique chirps, just like meows. Large eyes may also accompany the chirping. If you touch or call your cat, you may startle them because they focus on the bird outside. Chirping, however, does not guarantee that your cat will attack the bird even if he got close enough.

Usually, the noises are meowing or a chirping noise, but it differs among cats. Most cats are domesticated to be indoor pets. Domestication, however, does not mean that instincts suddenly go away. JaneA is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, an award-winning cat advice blog written by her cats, for cats and their people.

In addition to blogging about cats, JaneA writes contemporary urban fantasy, and whatever else strikes her fancy. Stay informed! Get tips and exclusive deals. Nov 2. Nov 1. Oct Give a Gift. The Scoop. By JaneA Kelley. If one of our other cats walks by her in passing, she hisses. Loves to hunt. Once time we saw her catch a woodpecker mid-flight. I can differentiate the sounds, and always know when she has conquered an inanimate object. She also does the chattering at birds or anything moving outside.

Gotta love cat talk! Our European shorthair female cat, Peca, chaters every morning to the pigeons she sees outside. Peca is a strictlyv indoor cat and I doubt she has ever hunted for food. I sneezed the other day while my cat was sleeping and he chattered at me for it. My cat definitely makes a strange sound once he has caught his prey. And he always tries to bring it into the house. Leaving for the Holidays?

Tips on Holidays and Cat Care. Halloween Safety Tips for Cat Parents. Is Your Cat Left-pawed or Right-pawed? Have you ever wondered why your cat makes strange, chattering noises at birds or small animals? And as it turns out, that might not be so farfetched a theory. Helen Bruneteau on June 28 at AM My cart chirps to a little bird that visits, this bird eats from my cats bowl and drinks from her water bowl.

God wanted it this way, get over it. Pyper on May 26 at AM My cat talks chatters to the birds. The birds have zero concern about those ragdolls, and these cats show no interest in the birds.

Carl Edgar Scott Clyburn on January 19 at PM I believe that they are evolved to make the sound of the bird to identify and name them using the sound they make like a cow goes moo the owl goes hoot whoot.

Jay Davern on September 28 at AM Our 10 year old tabby, Murphy, chirps all the time when seeing birds and squirrels. Selena on September 18 at AM Cats are one of the biggest perpetrators of amphibian and bird species extinctions. Steph on September 12 at AM I have had two Cats, one passed about 2 years ago, her name was Bubbles she was Janet on April 15 at PM My cats sit side by side and chatter while looking out the window.

Alisa on March 27 at AM My feline cat is always jumping on top of refrigerator to chatter when she hears birds. Carole on June 30 at AM Of our 3 cats we have only one who chatters.

Carolyn Riddle on March 22 at PM A cat catching a woodpecker underscores why cats should be kept indoors. Ellenbittle gmail on March 14 at PM I just think they want to catch that bird.

Nicki on March 02 at PM I sneezed the other day while my cat was sleeping and he chattered at me for it.