Why Do Cats Meow At Birds – Chirping & Chatter Explained!

Most cats find windows to be the optimal seat in the house. Your cat can catch a few rays of the sun and watch the birds and squirrels outside. Sometimes your cat will even perk up and watch the birds outside while making a chattering or meowing noise. You’ve heard your cat make the noise in the past, but you don’t know why, so you ask: why do cats meow at birds? 

Cats meow at birds because it is their instinct to prey on birds. The meowing is an imitation of a bird’s chirp, and a method cats use to stalk and capture their prey. Meowing also communicates frustration for indoor cats that are unable to catch the bird.

With some animal habits, scientists can only make their best guess as to why animals do something. We can only guess why you may find your furry friend meowing at birds, but there’s evidence that it usually links back to your cat’s ancestry. No matter the breed of cat you may have, your cat had ancestors that preyed on birds, and your cat hasn’t lost those instincts. Interested? Well, keep reading to learn more! 

Reasons Why Cats Meow At Birds

Although we may never know the real reason why your cat makes all those strange noises when he looks at birds, we can theorize about what it may mean. Remember: your cat may meow or make a chattering noise, but it’s usually for the same reason. 

Your Cat Is Interested In The Bird

Cats love looking outside, especially when there is something fun to watch! Squirrels and bunnies are amusing, but the birds are where it’s at for most cats! Your cat may let out a few meows while he watches the birds outside with interest. These noises may also be coupled with a swooshing tail. 

It’s Your Cat’s Instinct

Cats are hunters by nature, even if they are now domesticated house pets. When your cat sees a bird outside the window, his primal instinct is to meow at it because birds are prey to cats. After all, that’s how his ancestors survived in the wild. 

Your Cat Is Trying To Get The Birds Attention

If it’s the case that you have a friendly, playful cat, then your cat may be trying to get the bird’s attention because he wants to play. The instinct doesn’t always have to be a deadly one! It could be curiosity. Your cat may not realize that the bird isn’t paying any attention. 

Your Cat Is Frustrated 

The frustration goes back to your cat’s instinct. Even if your cat has never been outside before, he may feel frustrated that he cannot easily catch the bird-like he may want to. We’ll talk about this more, so continue reading! 

It’s Out Of Excitement 

We all make strange noises when we’re extremely excited, right? Your cat is no exception! If your cat sees a bird outside the window, he may be excited to see something new and starts to meow at the bird. This may be true if your cat’s meowing or chirping is especially loud. 

Meowing At Birds Will Alert Other Cats

You might only have one kitty, but that doesn’t mean your cat doesn’t want to warn other cats that there is prey nearby instinctually. The chirping noise may indeed be a way that your cat communicates to other cats and say, “Hey, I’ve spotted our lunch!” 

Why Do Cats Chatter At Birds

Your cat’s chatter while bird watching can potentially be because your cat is frustrated.

Spoiled kitties are used to getting what they want when they want it. If your indoor cat spots a bird outside the window and can’t get to it, he’ll probably become frustrated easily.

The birds outside are so close yet so far! Think of the chattering a bit like how you mutter when you’re annoyed or frustrated. Cats can’t mutter, so they do the next best thing: chatter.

The chattering noise that your cat makes is difficult to describe. Every cat has a different chattering noise, but the chattering sounds almost like unfinished meows. Likely, the chattering won’t be very loud, but once you hear it, you won’t be able to stop yourself from chuckling! 

Why Do Cats Make A Chirping Noise When They See Birds

Cats instinctually make chirping noises when they see birds because birds are prey for cats.

Your cat may not be a hunter, but your cat’s ancestors certainly were, which means that your cat has the same instincts. These instincts commonly take over through chirping at birds when cats see birds flying around outside. 

Chirps can take on different tones and pitches. Some cats have very loud, quick chirps, while other cats have a quieter, lower chirp spaced out. Cats have unique chirps, just like meows. 

Large eyes may also accompany the chirping. Your cat’s pupils will dilate as they fixate on the bird too. If you touch or call your cat, you may startle them because they focus on the bird outside. 

Chirping, however, does not guarantee that your cat will attack the bird even if he got close enough. 

What Does It Mean When Cats Talk To Birds

When your cat talks to birds, it means your cat is interested in the birds outside.

It’s not always easy to get a cat’s attention, but a cat in a window with some birds to watch outside is easily fixated. There could be one bird or a half a dozen; it doesn’t matter to your cat. He’ll probably be watching the bird with those huge, round eyes. 

If your cat is interested, you might hear your cat start to “talk.” Of course, this doesn’t mean your cat is starting to have conversations with the birds outside.

That’s just what people often call the noises that your cat makes. Usually, the noises are meowing or a chirping noise, but it differs among cats. 

Things To Consider

Don’t think your cat is exempt from making these chattering-slash-meowing noises while watching birds outside just because your cat has never been outside before.

Most cats are domesticated to be indoor pets. Domestication, however, does not mean that instincts suddenly go away. Cats never lose the instincts that their ancestors had, even if your cat never leaves the house. 

You might wonder how your cat even knows what a bird tastes like if he’s never been outside and has never caught a bird. Well, your cat might not know at all. The bird still looks like prey to your cat because the bird is small and fast.

Instincts may never go away, but this also doesn’t mean that you need to fear your cat killing a bird if he ever accidentally gets outside.

Your cat may think a bird looks like prey, but if he’s never been close to a bird, then he’ll be pretty confused when he gets up close and personal with one. If nothing else, your cat may try to become friends with the bird. I know, I know. That’s an unlikely friendship right there.

For the most part, your indoor cat uses the bird outside your window as a free entertainment show. Don’t fret that your cat may be plotting a murder without your knowledge.

As long as your cat isn’t getting aggressive or suddenly trying to get outside, then it’s perfectly alright for your cat to watch the birds. After all, it means that you’ll have to do less work to keep your cat busy!