Yes, parrots can cry. This could be when they’re in pain, mourning over the death of a loved one or when in general distress. Despite having tear ducts,  parrots will rarely if ever shed tears unless they can’t control their bodily functions. What they will do is cry by vocalising their emotions and project it through a piercing caw or their body language.

When Would A Parrot Cry?

If you find your parrot crying, often there is a reasonable explanation for such behaviour as they’re not known for throwing tantrums or crying just for the sake of it.

1. Lack Of Attention

Parrots will cry out for your attention as they thrive through social interaction. if it hasn’t received any affection from anyone whether you or another possible flock member over a prolonged period of time they will cry out for attention . That’s why parrots travel in flocks outside of captavity as this way they’ll always have someone to interact with.

Parrots need around 4 – 5 hours of attention daily to be kept satisfied. Of course this doesn’t mean that they your full attention will be required throughout but, allowing the parrot roam, occasionally chirp or talk with you is a good way to keep their mood positive.

Without the desired attention from you or another loved one, it may cause a parrot to vocalise and cry out.

2. When In Pain Or Sick

If your parrot is ill or may has suffered from an injury causing a broken bone or wing injury, a parrot is likely to cry out and vocalise this pain.

This behaviour is only natural, it isn’t easy to cope with it so most birds, parrots included would possibly scream/cry out in pain to deal with it.

It can take multiple weeks to recover from the pain which is why they may periodically cry throughout the day. Vet’s would of course provide you with the best way to care for the parrot however, even with the best advice out there, discomfort will be unavoidable.

3. Grieving

If a parrot were to lose someone close to them, when grieving the parrot may cry out for them whether it be their partner, child or owner. This can potentially go on anywhere from a few days to possibly multiple weeks after the death.

There’s not too much you’d be able to do here, you’d simply have to be there for your macaw, budgie, cockatoo etc. and provide them with the attention they need to get through these hard times.

How To Tell If A Parrot Is Sad

Although not all these signs are concrete in discerning whether your parrot is actually sad, they’re still a good indicator for informing you of the possibility.

Some of the more common indicators include the below.

• Loss of Appetite – You’ll notice them eating less when they’re not in the best of moods. Parrots are among the most intelligent animals around therefore, it makes a lot of sense that they feel emotions. A loss of appetite can also be down to an illness or mourning over losing someone close.
• Fluffed up Feathers – Parrots normally fluff their feather to keep warm however, if the fluff remains consistent for an extended period of time, there’s a possibility that could either be very sick or just sad.
• Screaming – if your parrot or any parrot for that matter appears to be screaming or crying out in a very coarse and clearly distressed manner, the likelihood of it being a calling out for a lost mate, owner or baby would be quite high.
• Less Chirpy – After potentially screaming in agony over their, you bird may become far less chirpy. If this is abnormal from your parrots typical behaviour, it may be because it’s downcast.
• Feather Plucking – if you notice your bird self harming by plucking its own feathers, it could be due to a lack of attention casuing them to be unhappy.

How Can You Comfort Your Parrot?

When your parrot is feeling dejected the first thing you’d want to do is comfort them right?

To make sure they know you love them.

It may be hard to find a resolution to the problem as comforting a sad parrot isn’t down to any kind of science yet however, there are a few steps to try and help them up and in this down phase.

• Give Them Extra Attention – Parrots are known to seek love and affection from their flock mates, partners and owner therefore, being there for your bird even more than usual to help it through the tough times can speed up the recovery.
• Treats – Giving your parrot more of its favourite could make help to. It may even result in them eating again.
• New Toys – Buying new toys that your parrot can interact with may help take it’s mind off the grief as it can stimulate their brains in positive manner, potentially improving mood.
• Keeping Everything Clean – A cleaner cage will allow your parrot to roam around its region more comfortably which can  hopefully put them in a happier mindset sooner rather than later.
• Introduce A New Friend – Due to the social nature of most parrots, introducing the a new friend into the mix may help them recover too. Of course this a big step so you’d have to take a lot of aspects into consideration before committing to it.

Why Do Parrots Cry At Night?

A parrot may cry at night due to fear. This could be as a result of an unusual stimuli entering its environment or if it’s there first time in your place they could cry out because they’re scared.

When in grief parrots won’t be able to maintain their regular sleep schedule of 10 – 12 hours and in turn may cry at irregular hours in the night as they may could be calling out for lost or even as a result of unbearable pain from injuries they’ve suffered. Some parrots that aren’t able to sleep may even cry out at night to garner your attention.

Nevertheless, crying at night isn’t the norm, at most the may make noises when grinding their beaks or through small whistles when breathing out.

Summary

Parrots do cry for a number of reasons, whether craving for your attention, when sick, in pain or when grieving the loss of a loved one. Shedding actual tears isn’t something parrots do even if they’re sad, even if it is technically possible. Although it technically it is possible and has happened on some very rare occasions.

References

https://www.thesprucepets.com/cleaning-your-birds-cage-390332

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