Body Language: Puffing Up

Birds are prey species, which means they are vulnerable to predators. One way that birds can help deter predators is by puffing up to make themselves look super big and scary. It also allows for the possibility of failed strikes to the bird. If an animal believes at the tip of the birds crown is its body and it strikes there, but those feathers are far away from the body, the strike will miss the body and not affect the bird.

Generally, birds will flight and not fight when provoked by predators. They are adapted to be able to fly up and away to escape most predation, minus other avian species, so birds will generally fly away when scared or uncomfortable with the situation they’re in.