Why Cats Chirp and Chatter

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Domestic cats are peculiar creatures. Adorable but deadly, they act as lovable companions in the home and as a scourge to vermin and bird populations in the yard. They are simultaneously affectionate and mercurial, eager to sleep in your lap before unexpectedly swiping at you. Cats have a stately presence but can be equally as devious. Even the most ardent cat lover will admit that cats can be manipulative.

Take a cat’s meow, for example. Scientists now believe that cats, when looking for food, will meow at their owners in a way that mimics a baby’s cry. But what about the other strange sounds that cats make, like chittering, chirping, and chattering? Watch the video above, and then we will explore the topic further. (For other feline behaviors, discover why cats squint or narrow their eyes.)

Cat Sounds

Cat communication falls under three main categories: murmuring, meowing, and aggressive. We all know what a meow sounds like, and you’ve probably heard the eerie warble that cats vocalize when in an aggressive mood or fight. Murmuring, however, is arguably the most unique of the domestic cat vocalizations. It encompasses several types of sounds, including purring and chirping or chittering.

According to experts, cat chirps and chitters are typically a form of greeting. It can also be elicited for attention, praise, or acknowledgment. They are short, high-pitched sounds cats make through a soft meow rolled on the tongue. Some cats will combine vocalizations like grunts and chirps to produce complex sounds. But why do they chirp? There are several fascinating reasons.

Greeting Other Beings

The most common form of cat chirp comes as a greeting. Some cats will produce chirps when their owner gets home to say hello enthusiastically. If a cat is comfortable with you and your presence, they may chirp to start a line of communication.

It isn’t just for humans, either. Cats are known to chirp at other animals, be it fellow pet family members or neighbors. If you ever witness an auspicious meeting of neighborhood cats, you may notice them chirping at each other in a casual circle. What they are saying to each other isn’t exactly clear, but they are communicating about something. Neighborhood cats that hunt and play together, and are therefore comfortable with each other, will often chirp as a form of affirmation or acknowledgment.

On the Hunt

When cats engage in hunting or play that mimics hunting, they often make these sounds. They act as a sort of honing beacon for allies in the area. They chirp to tell you or friends about prey in the area without alerting the next potential meal of their presence. These chirps become especially pronounced when hunting with fellow cats, as they keep their friends apprised of hunting patterns and movements.

Indoor cats are known to do this, too. When a cat sits at a window and chirps at birds on the other side of the glass, they are likely engaging in the same type of hunting communication. These chirps can have the added benefit of mimicking animal calls, potentially drawing prey closer. When they do this in your presence, it’s because they don’t consider you human. To them, you’re one of their fellow cats.

Enthusiasm

Some cats chirp because they are excited. If you, say, open a bag of your cat’s favorite treats, it may come running while eliciting chirps. This means it’s excited about getting a treat, anticipating one of its favorite moments in the day.

It doesn’t always have to be food, either. Some cats will chirp or chitter out of pure enthusiasm. When cuddled for an extended period or engaged in serious play, cats may chirp more than usual. This is completely normal and speaks to a cat’s enjoyment level. If your cat chirps as it jumps on a piece of furniture, it wants the world to know they are excited about the jump. (For more about cat diets, discover what cats eat.)

Food Frantic

Besides pure unbridled joy for their favorite treat, cats are excellent mimics and are acutely aware of how you respond to their behavior. Some cats catch on pretty quickly. If they sense that you view chirping positively, they will chirp for rewards like pets or treats. Again, it’s completely normal behavior, but can get tiring. If you feel like your cat has been trained to chirp for rewards and you can’t stand their endless chirping, it’s best to ignore the behavior until the connotation between chirping and rewards fades.

Body Language

When cats murmur, notice how their bodies change. Since chirping typically reflects a positive mood, a cat’s body language changes when vocalizing this way. Their eyes get bright, their tail swishes, ears go up to one side. They may even engage in some gentle head-butting. This can clue you in on what the chirping is supposed to mean.

As such, when a cat chirps to engage prey, their bodies take on a different stance. Chirping while hunting suggests alertness. Their body will adopt a stalking pose and their back will arch. Their pupils will likely become dilated and their ears will point sideways, cluing in for sound.

Cats are great mimics, but not all cats chirp. Cats have unique personalities, temperaments, and tendencies and will communicate with you in a way that feels best to them. Chirping is normal, but if your cat doesn’t chirp at all that doesn’t mean they are abnormal. It’s one of the many remarkable ways cats interface with the world. (For more about kitty dispositions, discover the five types of cat personalities.)