Why does my cat chatter his teeth when he sees a bird?

His tail also flicks around crazy-like.


I understand this is a "natural response" and "normal for some cats", but does anyone know what causes it?





I don't chatter my teeth when I get angry, or flick my butt around crazily.

Why does my cat chatter his teeth when he sees a bird?
When a cat kills prey, it bites down quickly several times. The "chatter" is simulating the cat's behavior at the time of attack.


Alternatively (according to a visitor): it's pure and simple frustration. When a cat is stalking or killing a bird, they're almost invariably completely silent. It's when they are shut off from the prey that they chatter.
Reply:All the cats I have ever had do that.
Reply:Anticipation I reckon. All that excitement and the thrill of the chase.
Reply:my kitty does it too and i think it's cute! but i think they do it to maybe lure them in for the kill?
Reply:My cat does that too...it's because she/he's excited because there's a bird outside they think "ohh, i better chase it"


So don't worry it's purrfectly normal.
Reply:We always thought that our cats were trying to "call" the birds in closer.
Reply:it's hungry and is excited????
Reply:Excitement at seeing the bird, and frustration that they cannont get to the bird.





People do different things when they are frustrated, like drum ming their fingers, or tapping their feet. Watch people who are stuck in a line having to wait and you will see many different behaviors, and like your cats behavior they are used to burn up energy caused by frustration.
Reply:Husband think they do it to distract their prey for capture.Foxes do it, and towling dogs hences the term towling. I hope this helps you. Please excuse my spelling spell check is unhelpful for this one.
Reply:My cats do that when they see a bird or bug. The bug usually get bounced on, tortured and killed. From what I have seen they do that action when they want to kill something and are excited by the idea of it.
Reply:My cats do it to. They get excited.