4 Interesting Reasons Why Budgies Grind Their Beaks
If you are curious about why budgies grind their beaks, you have come to the right place. Budgies have many peculiar habits, and this one is particularly fascinating. Many factors come into play that compel our feathered companions to grind their beaks. Some of them you might know, while others could surprise you.
Budgies grind their beaks when they are happy, relaxed, or exhausted. They also do it as a way to trim and prevent beak overgrowth. It’s an essential part of their routine, so you must pay attention to determine whether they are content or need your help to rest better.
As you get used to identifying the causes behind their beak grinding, you will understand if your current way of taking care of your pets is working well or if it is something you need to work on. Here are the main reasons that cause budgies to grind their beaks.
Why is my Budgie Grinding its Beak?
There could be multiple reasons why budgies grind their beaks. First, beak grinding represents different moods of your little one, like being happy, relaxed, or tired. It is also a behavior they instinctively use to prevent their beaks from getting too long.
Beak grinding is often a sign that your budgie is content and happy. The grinding may sound a bit strange, but it’s natural and indicates the bird is satisfied with its life and surroundings.
Relaxation
Budgies also grind their beaks when they are relaxed. Usually, they do so as they prepare to nap during the daytime or at night, which is why you may hear them making those raspy sounds with their beaks just before tucking in for the night.
Exhaustion
Beak grinding is commonly a sign of satisfaction and contentment, but when you observe your bird raising one of its legs and grinding louder than normal, it is a sign that your bird is tired and needs rest. Therefore, you should pay attention to this behavior as it may hint if you need to improve your bird’s sleep environment.
Beak Trimming
Research shows that budgies grind their beaks to trim and keep them sharp and in proper shape. Birds’ beaks are like our nails. Since they are made from the same material, keratin, they constantly grow unless something is done about it. That’s why they need trimming; otherwise, they might overgrow and cause all kinds of problems (reference).
Is Beak Grinding Good?
In most cases, beak grinding is good. According to Byron J.S de la Navarre, DVM at the animal house of Chicago, if you see your pet doing this, don’t be alarmed. That behavior is perfectly normal.
However, if the grinding sounds louder than usual or you see anything out of the ordinary, you might want to check with a vet to be certain there is nothing wrong with your pet.
In the following video, you will see a couple of budgies grinding their beaks happily:
Does Beak Grinding Hurt Budgies?
Don’t let the scratchy sound mislead you. Although you might believe that beak grinding may hurt budgies, that’s not the case. Beak grinding does not cause harm to your budgie in any way. Rather, it is a sign of fulfillment and gratitude.
The sound generated by a budgie’s beak grinding is actually soothing for them. In addition, budgies trim their beaks and keep them in shape through beak grinding, which is essential to prevent an overgrown beak that may threaten their well-being.
What Does it Sound Like?
Beak grinding may sound like a repetitive raspy sound, almost similar to gently dragging your nails back and forth across an emery board. When your budgie is about to take a nap, it may gently move its lower and upper beak in a side-to-side motion producing a scratchy noise.
If you experience misophonia (get irritated by certain sounds), you might find beak grinding bothersome, but it doesn’t mean it’s bad for your budgie. If you are distressed by it, wear earmuffs or simply stay away from your bird when it’s busy grinding.
Should my Budgie Grind its Beak Often?
There has yet to be an established standard for how often budgies should grind their beaks. It depends upon factors such as their surroundings, health, and other feathered companions. As a general rule, they do it when they are relaxed, which often happens before naps and at night.
If your pet is overdoing it (constantly grinding its beak without stopping all day long) or never grinding its beak at all, then something could be wrong. That being the case, you should consult with an avian vet to determine the cause. Otherwise, beak grinding is perfectly normal. You don’t need to worry about it.
Does a Cuttlefish Bone Help with the Beak Grinding?
With their rough texture, cuttlefish bones are an ideal tool to strengthen a budgie’s beak and prevent it from overgrowing (resource). Moreover, they are crucial dietary supplements.
They are a rich source of calcium, which aids in developing your pet’s bones. Also, they are a great source of pleasure for your budgies as they slowly nibble and grind them away.
For that reason, you can’t go wrong by making them part of every cage setup. Keep in mind, though, to change the bone after every three to four days.
What Should I do if my Budgies Grind Their Beaks in the Daytime?
Absolutely nothing; you don’t need to worry about if a budgie grinds its beak in the daytime. Budgies often grind their beaks before napping during the day, indicating they are relaxed and happy. That’s good for your bird.
Is Checking my Budgie’s Beak a Good Idea?
Paying attention to the state of your budgie’s beak is always a good idea. Still, if you are not experienced or don’t have any training, it is not recommended to handle your budgie’s beak physically. Instead, any irregularity that you might see, for instance, a deformed or overgrown beak, should be left to an expert.
As you can see, a grinding beak is nothing to be afraid of. As a matter of fact, budgies do this to keep themselves healthy and content. So next time you hear your budgies make those unusual noises, it’s likely you are doing a good job and they are having a good time.
