Why Your Parrot Grinds Their Beak at Night (And When to Worry)

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Your parrot is perched, lights are low, and then you hear it: crrk…crrk…. If you’re new to birds, that sound can feel alarming. Good news first: most of the time, beak grinding at night is basically your bird saying, “I’m comfy, leave me snacks tomorrow.”

But there are exceptions, and this is where smart bird owners separate normal from “call your avian vet.”

Close-up of a relaxed parrot grinding its beak

Why parrots grind their beaks (the normal version)

In healthy birds, beak grinding usually shows up during wind-down time: after dinner, after social time, and right before sleep. Think of it as the bird equivalent of fluffing a pillow and exhaling. You’ll often see soft feathers, one foot tucked, and half-closed eyes.

It can also help maintain the beak surface. Not in a dramatic “filing” way, but in a gentle maintenance way that happens naturally when your bird is relaxed.

If you’re still learning body language, this guide on bird body-language cues helps you read the whole picture, not just one sound.

When beak grinding is not just bedtime chatter

Watch the context. Grinding with a relaxed posture is one thing. Grinding paired with warning signs is another.

  • Open-mouth breathing or audible clicking while breathing
  • Tail bobbing at rest
  • Fluffed up all day (not just during sleep)
  • Less appetite, lower activity, or sudden mood changes
  • Face rubbing, repeated yawning, or frequent pawing at the beak

If you see any of these, don’t guess. Review the emergency signs in this illness red-flag checklist and contact an avian vet.

Bird owner using a calm evening routine for a pet parrot

A calm evening routine that reduces stress noises

Some owners confuse normal beak grinding with stress noises that happen around sunset. The fix is simple: a repeatable routine your bird can predict.

  1. Lower room stimulation 30–45 minutes before lights out.
  2. Offer one quiet enrichment option (paper shred, soft foraging cup).
  3. Use consistent dimming + sleep schedule.
  4. Avoid exciting play right before bedtime.

If your real issue is evening vocal spikes, pair this article with our 20-minute sunset reset routine.

The quick rule of thumb

Relaxed posture + bedtime timing = usually normal.
Grinding + breathing/behavior changes = investigate fast.

Your bird doesn’t need panic. Your bird needs observation, consistency, and when needed, a vet who actually sees birds every day.

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