Communication and Signaling in Birds
Birds produce meaningful communications by their facial ex-
pressions, beak movements, feather ruffling, elongating their necks,
crouching, bouncing, and flapping their wings. Although each
species has its own body language, many different species interpret
movements in the same way. For example, various species interpret
an upward thrust of the beak as expressing the intention to fly, and
the lowering of the breast as a warning of danger. Also, several
species perceive raising the tail feathers as a threat, or displaying
bright colors atop of the head as a declaration of the intent to attack.
Via facial expression, birds can convey a variety of messages to those
around them—negative feelings such as dislike and resentment, as
well as positive ones like pleasure, enthusiasm and
curiosity.
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