If you are a parakeet owner, you must have noticed your parakeets kissing, especially when caged together. But are you wondering what it means when parakeets kiss?
Parakeets kissing may mean the following 11 things:
1. Courtship Phase
Parakeets undergo the courtship phase when they attain sexual maturity at six to eight months. When parakeets are courting, they will be seen kissing each other more to show their interest, sit together, and preen each other’s feathers.
2. Feeding Each Other
Parakeets usually regurgitate their food from the crop to feed their nestlings or mates. Habitually, regurgitation creates a bond between birds. The regurgitated food is put on the other bird’s beak and lock, which may seem like they are kissing.
3. They Like Each Other
Parakeets are very affectionate birds that appreciate each other’s company. Usually, when parakeets accept each other, they start enjoying themselves through kissing. You will also find them playing together and cuddling for warmth. This is a sign that your birds are bonding.
4. They Are Preening Each Other
After birds take a bath, their feathers are usually misarranged. Therefore, they will groom themselves to return the feathers to their regular positions. However, parakeets that live in one cage will help each other preen their feathers, which may look like kissing. They usually help groom their faces since their beaks cannot reach the face feathers.
5. Fighting
Parakeets fighting will look like they are kissing, yet they are biting each other. Nevertheless, when parakeets fight, they loudly squeal and scream. You will also notice injuries on their skin. Separate fighting parakeets by caging them differently. Training them can also be the best solution to letting them live happily.
6. They Are Familiarizing with Each Other
If you introduce a new parakeet to the old ones, they will always sit together while kissing as they learn more about each other. This will happen only if you gradually introduce the new parakeet, as there will be fewer fights. Cage them separately to familiarize them with their appearance and smell before introducing them into one cage. This will create harmony and interest in the bond, especially when they show no signs of fighting.
7. Attention Seeking
When parakeets seek each other’s attention, they kiss the other bird. This will make the other parakeet concentrate on it even more. Also, it is a way of showing affection and interest in each other.
8. Exploration
Parakeets love exploring different things, especially when they have new company in the cage. You will notice a parakeet using its beak to explore the other parakeet’s feathers and body, which seems like kissing. This is a way of confirming that the new parakeet is not an enemy.
9. Communication
Kissing parakeets is a form of communication. Parakeets that are caged together will always kiss to say hello to each other. Also, it is a way of showing that they are in good moods for chattering.
10. Dominance
Parakeets are very territorial birds who want to establish a hierarchy as soon as possible, especially when caged together. The parakeet that kisses the other bird is the dominant one, while the parakeet being kissed is the submissive one. However, this hierarchy behavior can sometimes lead to fights when one does not want to submit.
11. Playing
When parakeets enjoy their games, they kiss each other more often to show their positive interaction. When parakeets are playing with their toys, they are always in a cheerful mood, which helps strengthen their bonds.
Do Male Parakeets Kiss Each Other?
Yes, male parakeets kiss each other, but this is rare since most male parakeets are very territorial. When you cage two parakeets and make them bond, you will notice them kissing, and sometimes they will help each other groom their feathers and look appealing.
Therefore, if you want your male budgies to live without fighting, gradually introduce them to each other when they are young. Older male parakeets are likely to fight rather than bond.
Are My Parakeets Kissing or Fighting?
Parakeets that are kissing are always calm and have bright eyes. Their wings are not fluffed up, and their tails are shaking to show affection. Besides, kissing parakeets will bob their heads frequently.
On the other hand, parakeets that are fighting will always scream or loudly squawk while biting each other’s skin. Their fluffed-up feathers show their readiness for war. These signs will help you differentiate between kissing and fighting with parakeets.
How Do Parakeets Show Affection to Each Other?
Parakeets show affection to each other in the following six ways:
1. Grooming Each Other
Birds use their beaks to groom their partners to look even more attractive. They preen feathers keenly with lots of love to impress their partners. They also pluck feathers that are weak and ugly to improve their appearance.
2. Kissing Each Other
Kissing is a sign of love and acceptance for parakeets. Kissing parakeets can be of the same gender or different, depending on their relationship. Usually, birds in their courtship phase will often kiss each other to show their affection, especially during the breeding season.
3. Regurgitating Food to Feed Their Partners or Youngsters
Parakeets only regurgitate food for their mates when they love them. Regurgitation may seem disgusting to humans, but it symbolizes affection in birds. This shows that the parakeet trusts and is free around you since regurgitation is not typical behavior in all parakeets.
4. Scratching Heads
Parakeets have scratchy sculps, especially when they have not bathed. They use their feet to scratch their heads whenever it gets itchy. However, if they have a partner, they will get help from their partner, which makes everything easy and lovely.
5. Melodiously Singing
Parakeets have the best vocals for singing. They can create a beautiful rhythm through their chirps. Male parakeets usually sing to attract the female ones towards them. They loudly sing to show their superiority and win a female’s affection. Singing in parakeets is generally seen when they are approaching breeding season in the spring.
6. Sitting Together
When parakeets bond, they will always want to sit together every moment to experience beautiful scenes, chatter, and even enjoy each other’s company. Also, they will sit together while eating, and sometimes you may see them feeding each other and displaying affection.
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