As the name implies, this is a growling noise made by some species of parrots, especially African greys. The noise can be so loud that veterinarians who are inexperienced with birds often think the African grey parrot is in serious respiratory distress.
Considered a defensive behavior, African greys will growl in response to a perceived threat.
The easiest remedy is to remove said frightening object from a pet parrot’s sight. If this is not possible, owners can slowly and carefully desensitize the bird to that object so the bird is no longer frightened by it.
Disclaimer: BirdChannel.com’s Bird Behavior Index is intended for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the expertise and experience of a professional veterinarian. Do not use the information presented here to make decisions about your bird’s health if you suspect your pet is sick. If your pet is showing signs of illness or you notice changes in your bird’s behavior, take your pet to the nearest veterinarian or an emergency pet clinic as soon as possible.