Why do they do this when I talk to them?

[Miyoung]

I have two flyers, a male and female, and I'm pretty sure that they adore me. They always want to be near me, and on me. Their favorite sleeping spot is in my bra or pocket.

They definitely can distinguish my voice from my other family members. When I go to their cage and say good morning, they rustle about and come over to the doors, hoping I'll hold them. They don't do this for anybody else (they hide from male voices.)

My question is, when I'm holding them in my palms, I like to talk to them in a quiet voice, and sort of coo at them. When I do this, they move their mouths slightly, as if trying to talk back (I know it's impossible but I wish they could!) Anyway, what I'm wondering is, why do they do this? They only move their mouths this way when I'm holding them and talking to them in a very quiet voice. They lock eyes with me and move their mouths along with mine.

[MollyBear361]

Sounds normal. They do have super high pitched noises which human ear can't hear so maybe they are talking to you and you just can't hear it . :grin2

[Scooterzmom]

I truly have no idea why they would do this but I would sooooo love to see them do it. Sounds really cute :D

[Charley Chuckles]

AWWW I see squirrels do this all the time, always wonder what they are talking about :thinking :grin3

[sdreamcatcher]

I have birds who do this :grin3

[astra]

i have never seen flyers (maybe, you could post a video), but it sounds like " bruxing" that rats and greys do.

When rats feel content and happy, they start bruxing - sort of moving their jaws from side to side, gently grinding their teeth at the same time. It's not a chatter, but a rustling type of grinding.

When I observed rats do that, I assumed that it might be common to most, if not all rodents (maybe other species, too - but won't know).

So, I observed greys and they do that, too.
Greys do that, too - if you pet them, stroke them, etc and they feel content and happy - they will brux: move their lower jaws from side to side, sort of grinding their teeth.
Again, the grinding sound is not hard-chattering, but gentle "rustling" type of sound. Sometimes, it can be louder, other times - it is barely audible - you can still see their jaws moving, but no sound is heard (at least by human ear)

Sounds like your flyers are doing the same - they are loving when you coo in their ear :)

[MollyBear361]

Yes they do that also but I think she is talking about the mouthing...with flyers it is their mouth opening and closing like they are making sounds but nothing comes out...again since the human eAr can't hear a lot of their sounds I think they may be talking and we can't hear it. Just my two cents, but I have seen bruxing also but the mouthing with the flyers looks a little different, :grin3

[Duckman]

I can sit and cuddle with Rex for an hour at a time and he is Bruxing the whole time. He doesn't do this with my wife, just with me (I have been his mom since he was 3 weeks old, so we have a very special bond). Last night, he actually fell asleep in my hand and chest, while doing this! :Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[Duckman]

Yes they do that also but I think she is talking about the mouthing...with flyers it is their mouth opening and closing like they are making sounds but nothing comes out...again since the human eAr can't hear a lot of their sounds I think they may be talking and we can't hear it. Just my two cents, but I have seen bruxing also but the mouthing with the flyers looks a little different, :grin3

I have very little experience with flyers, so I can't say one way or the others. They are the cutest, but up here, they are deep in the mountains, so we don't get many to rescue (I have to tell myself that is a good thing, but I know they need peoples too, they just are too remote to get help :Cry)

[Milo's Mom]

I have no idea, but it sure does sound incredibly cute. It may be that they are cooing right back at you. :Love_Icon

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

Trixie (my flyer) moves her mouth like that sometimes, it's almost like she's trying to talk back. I think we just can't hear them. It's usually when we're alone and it's quiet. Then she'll stand on her back legs, put her hands on my chin, and give me kisses. It is the most touching experience; brings tears to my eyes every single time. :Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[Miyoung]

My little ones do that too! They put their front hands on my chin and just kinda brush against my face or my bottom lip. I like to think they're giving me kisses :P

I've had my little ones since they were approximately 4 weeks (their eyes had just barely opened). It really does seem like they're doing the "bruxing" thing that you're talking about. They just kind of move their little jaws, and sometimes open their mouth just ever so slightly. I wish I could get a video but every time I try, they instantly stop! I think they're scared of my phone :P

[Squirrel Girls Mom]

My little ones do that too! They put their front hands on my chin and just kinda brush against my face or my bottom lip. I like to think they're giving me kisses :P


They are giving you kisses!! They're showing their love for you. :Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[IrishHarps]

I get flyer kisses from my flyer all the time. So cute!! :Love_Icon

Yours are making ultrasound noises that are too high pitched for you to hear. They are talking back to you :)

Just wait till they figure out that they can make squeaks that you CAN hear, and you'll never have peace again. Mine knows how to peep at me until I let her out/give her what she wants. I learned the term "shut up almond" from MiriamS. It is a very appropriate term.