cat 'chirpping' noises

[Morrisonker]

I'm watching a 'Wildlife on 2' thing about feral cats in rome and noticed noticed that when hunting (in this case pigeons) the cat made a hiccuping/chirping noise.  I've noticed my cat doing this as well when she watches birds from teh window.

 

I was wondering if anyone else has noticed it and can give any clues as to why the do it?  Are they trying to coax the birds closer?

 

PS, i know that noone can give me a definate answer (unless you can talk cat, just some ideas would be great  ^_^ )

[smudge]

Our dear cat smudge used to sit on the window sill & hide out in the garden waiting out for the birds. When they appeared, she would make the same sound as you describe.

 

It must be a mimicry technique all cats master, in the hope that when the birds get nearer - they attack & munch! I used to find feathers everywhere & the occasional set of claws under the bed - bless her!

[hugoboss]

The actual reason for this noise is caused by excitement on the cat's part. The noise they are letting out is their uncontrollable excitement coming through! Read this recently. They wouldn't do it to coax the birds closer, as in hunting they generally dont want to be heard. bless them, they obviously cant help the chirpping!

[undercovers]

my strong but silent cat would erupt in the chirpping noises whenever i offered him some cheese! a very stange cat indeed

[smudge]

hugoboss - That does make a lot of sense, cats are very clever creatures!

 

undercovers -  Perhaps your cat wanted the cheese to go off & tempt some mice with! lol.

[smudge]

Whoops -  apologies, that wasn't supposed to appear in bold. :0)

[hugoboss]

My cat also goes crazy for cheese - the stronger the better! Also, for some reason, he goes mad for curry. Just the smell of it sends him over the edge!

Anyone else found this?

[wonky]

all my cats from years ago have eaten lots of different things like marmite on toast, crisps, chewing gum (not swallowed just tried to steel it from me and lick it lots!!) mints, rice, potato and chips but my cats now are so fussy will only eat one brand of cat food and tuna, they wont touch cheese, milk even cat milk, some meats i cook for them they just leave in the bowl, it drives me mad!!

[wonky]

sorry that was more of a reply to hugoboss, in reply to Morrisonker one of my cats makes this noise, we have a tree outside our kitchen window and she sits on the window sill and makes this funny tapping noise its really funny. she is so scared she wont go out the house so if she actually came face to face with a bird i think she would run a mile!!!

x x

[bagboy]

I heard it was to alert other cats in the "pride" to prey availability. Those outside the window and able to attack I presume :)