Presque tous les propriétaires de chats ont observé que les chats bavardent devant les oiseaux, qu’ils soient à la fenêtre ou à la télévision. Ces sons inhabituels émis par les chats ont conduit à de nombreux débats parmi les chercheurs au fil des ans, alors qu’ils tentent de déchiffrer la signification de ces sons lorsque les chats voient des oiseaux, des insectes ou des souris.
Ce comportement des chats se produit le plus souvent dans des situations où le chat est sur un rebord de fenêtre et de l’autre côté de la vitre, ils voient des moineaux, des pigeons ou d’autres oiseaux qui représentent une proie pour eux. Ce son étrange émis par les chats peut également se produire lorsqu’ils aperçoivent des insectes ou des rongeurs.
Cats also produce peculiar sounds when they see videos of birds on TV. On YouTube, there are actual « cartoons » for cats. Upon seeing birds on the TV screen, the majority of cats will make odd sounds, described as chattering and vocalizations, as if they are expressing complaint or concern about something.
Pourquoi les chats bavardent-ils chez les oiseaux?
Even if a cat is domesticated and lives in a house or apartment, its DNA remains that of a predator, just like its ancestors who roamed the forests in search of prey. Therefore, if you hear that a cat makes unusual sounds when it sees birds, there’s no need to be alarmed or worried. It’s an entirely normal behavior for a cat.
Cats produce these unique sounds when they assume a « pounce » position, fixate their gaze on their prey, and prick up their ears. Researchers believe that cats make these peculiar sounds when they realize they can’t reach the desired prey. It’s an almost involuntary way for a cat to express its frustration. Moreover, often the odd sound produced by their jaws is interspersed with vocalizations that closely resemble cries or whines.
While the cats chatter at birds, these reactions may be amusing for cat owners, for the cat, seeing prey it can’t reach becomes a source of stress.
Some research has offered an alternative explanation for this feline reaction. The strange sound a cat makes when it sees nearby prey might actually be a « jaw warm-up » before delivering the fatal bite. It’s known that cats only need one bite to neutralize their prey. A cat skilled in hunting will often target the neck area to sever the most sensitive part of the prey’s spine. The chattering sound made with the corner of the mouth and the jaw could simulate the fatal bite.
However, this reaction occurs only when the cat is aware that it can’t reach the prey. In fact, if a cat spots accessible prey, it won’t make the le moindre bruit et mettra en valeur toutes ses qualités félines pour lancer une attaque rapide comme l’éclair qui surprendra la proie.
