Chirping!

[HeatherW]

Last night, I heard one of my piggies chirping for the first time. I have no idea whther it was Jasmine or Pickle as it was dark, but it stopped when they realised I was in the room. Here's a short video; it only has sound because I didn't want to disturb them by turning the lights on!

 

[HeatherW]

Here's the link!

 

[Emz1999]

I've yet to hear this sound from any pig I've had, and I've owned pigs for 10 years. It seems that it's a really rare sound to hear as it doesn't fall under common sounds and I think because of this, its not exactly clear what it means. I have read that some believe its a fearful sound, and maybe by turning the light on and talking was reassurance for them.

 

[HeatherW]

A train went past the house, but I don't recall anything unusual about it. They were disturbed when they realised I was there, and not by the light being switched on.

I feel pretty privileged!

 

[G&C]

I wonder why they do that does anybody know? I’ve never heard it from mine.

 

[Gem789]

You’re very lucky to have heard that.Ive got a m4a recording of fuzz on my phone chirping but haven’t found a way to upload it lol

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’ve just played this and my two have literally just dived in their hideys for cover....clearly scared them....perhaps it’s a warning sound of some sort....

 

[HeatherW]

There have been studies on prairie dogs (or a similar small mammal) where they observed that, although to the human ear it was the same sound, there were subtle variations in pitch (or something like that) which the prairie dogs could distinguish between for different predators and react appropriately. For example, depending on the bird of prey, the prairie dogs either stayed still or dashed for cover; they knew what survival technique would work against which threat and not just "danger from above". Perhaps it's the same for guinea pigs?

It's interesting you say yours dived for cover. When I switched the lights on, my pigs were both hidden under their wooden log hidey!

 

[Hairy]

I heard chirping (similar to a bird) once. It happened a week or 2 after I got my 2 brother piggies. At that time they were very stressed and afraid because they moved from the pet store, so I thought perhaps it was an expression of sadness, stress or fear, but not sure. Also didn't observe which pig made the sound as they stopped when I went to check on them. It happened right after I went to bed. Never heard the sound since.