When birds fluff their feathers and start looking like little puffballs it’s absolutely adorable in the eyes of people. However, why do birds puff up? It turns out there’re various reasons for this seemingly cute action.
It could be to stay warm in cold weather, intimate a predator or scare away a rival in their territory, even show off in a method to attract a potential mate, and so much more. Find out what other reasons lie behind a puffed-up bird.
Table of Contents
Reasons Why Birds Puff Up
1. To heat up during the cold
As we’ve learned Science for class 7, A bird’s natural environment is outside where they’re free to fly and live how they please. However, this means they’re exposed to the constant change of weather. When the temperature drops, the birds keep warm in winter by fluffing their feathers.
Their feathers are covered with an oil that prevents water from seeping through. They use these special feathers to keep the air within the protection of their wings by fluffing their body. This way, the warmth is trapped and small birds stay warm in winter.
2. To intimidate predators or rivals
Out in the wild, enemies of all types and sizes can suddenly appear and threaten a bird’s safety. So, a tactic they can use to see as more intimidating is when birds ruffle their feathers and appear larger than they are.
An example could be seen when a parrot puffs up their crest when they’re feeling angry.
Of course, this tactic doesn’t always work. For example, what if they came across a predator as big as a wolf? Such a small trick won’t work, but it definitely will on rivals. To protect their territory, little birds need to fight against others to protect their nest.
3. Sunbathing time
When the warm sun is out, birds will want to fly underneath its rays and fluff up their feathers to sunbathe. Birds take to sunbathing to make themselves feel warmer, and this helps them control their body temperature after the long night’s chill.
This way, they don’t have to depend on consuming large amounts of food to get energy for a warmer body. The sunbathing method is especially important for birds who live in low-temperature regions.
4. The bird is feeling unwell
The moment a bird starts realizing they’re not feeling good, they puff up its feathers. If there’s nothing around them that could signal any of the previous reasons for puffed-up birds, this could be the reason.
Birds don’t always like to show it when they’re feeling sick, but when a bird is puffed up throughout the day and stays in the same position with slow, moving tails, it could be that they’re going through a very concerning health problem.
5. Cooling down during hot weather
You already know how they puff up their feathers to keep themselves warm, but birds puff up their feathers in summer as a method to cool down.
During the cold, they puff up to keep the hot air inside, but in the heat, birds fluff up their feathers to release the air and get rid of any unneeded warmth.
6. It’s time for a nap
Just like how some humans stretch their bodies when going to bed, birds take to puffing themselves up before they hit the hay. Usually at night, when when they sleep or if they’re comfy they fluff their feathers.
If a bird does this while you’re with them, the chances are they’re calm in your presence.
7. They’re trying to score a date
When it’s that of the year for the birds to start their family, they can go through all sorts of leaps and hoops to score a date. One of the ways a bird can win over a potential partner is to make themselves look all preened in a show of fluffed feathers.
Birds get fat or bigger while showcasing their clean and beautiful feathers in hopes that their desired mate will take interest.
8. They’re preening their feathers
Birds care very much about the state of their feathers. When they puff up, this could also be them trying to reach better places to fix up their appearance. Clean and organized feathers not only make for a pretty picture but better conditions for flying.
Besides flying, a neat look can also increase their chances of scoring a mate or even getting rid of anything dirty that could be a cause for sickness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do birds puff up when they’re happy?
Birds fluff out their feathers in an act of grooming or preparation for sleep, indicating that they feel safe and calm in their environment. Add this up with some clicking beaks and clear eyes, then this is a sure sign that they’re happy where they are.
Have you ever wondered ‘Why does my bird puff up when I pet him?’ Well, they’re probably excited to see you.
You can see cockatoos puff up when they’re excited, and this usually happens when their favorite person is reaching out to pet them or they know they’re gonna get a delicious treat.
Related: The most reasons why parakeets puff up.
How do birds show affection?
Birds are actually quite affectionate creatures and can show their love in many ways.
A bird can cuddle up to your body all close, use its beak to give you kisses in a way that mimics yours, sing to you with its chirps and coos, and click its beak when you arrive in the room.
Your bird will even start wanting to take care of you at some point. Their care can be shown in how they spit up the food they eat to give to you like how they’d give to chicks or even try to preen at you.
What does it mean when a birds wings puff up?
When a cat purrs it shows they’re enjoying themselves, and that’s how it’s like for when birds get puffy. Birds are intelligent creatures and they take in signals or cues quite well, so they’re most likely expecting you to do something they’ll enjoy.
Sometimes, their wings puff up and shake in a manner that looks similar to dancing. This can happen when they want to greet a friend, which in this case is you.
Conclusion
A bird fluffing up their feathers could mean a bunch of things, which is why you should think about the question: why do birds puff up? After all, when you know the answers and the cause, it makes it easier to pinpoint a bird’s language.
Work around a bird’s form expression by finding out what this endearing showcase of puffy feathers means for them. Whether it be to prevent the freezing weather from seeping in or putting on a show to make themselves look attractive.
George and I became friends after a birdwatching trip with our new group. And we have been enjoying every adventure together. When he told me the idea of establishing a site that shares our experiences and fun, I immediately agreed. After trials and errors, here we have Thayerbirding.
