What behavior commonly indicates stress?

• A. Tight feather compaction
• B. Increased grooming
• C. Bright red eyes
• D. Normal breathing

Answer: (A)

When a bird feels stressed, it often adopts a defensive posture that makes it appear smaller and less conspicuous. Pressing the feathers tightly against the body—feather compaction—reduces surface area and signals that the bird is unsettled or frightened. This is a common, observable cue that something is causing distress, especially in a falconry setting where the bird may be reacting to handling or unfamiliar stimuli.

Grooming more than usual can happen for many reasons and isn’t a reliable stress indicator on its own. Bright eyes are part of normal coloration or health status and don’t by themselves indicate stress. Normal breathing suggests calm or rest rather than distress, so it’s not a sign of stress.