Why cats chatter at birds is weirdly amusing

When your life is full of quirky cat behaviours, it takes a lot to stand out. But chattering or 'ekekekking' at birds certainly does just that. 
But have you ever wondered what purpose that sound has? Me too! So I've done a deep dive. And it's certainly not some sort of alien communication.

But it might be a form of cat swearing. Let me explain the two BIG theories of the cat bird chatter...

For starters, there’s the SWEARING theory.

Somewhere deep inside your cat is a hunter. Somewhere. And seeing the fast movement of a prey or food animal (like a bird) outside sends a massive hit of adrenaline around their body. But there’s a problem.

They’re on the other side of the glass…and quite possibly not the athlete they thought they were.

So out of frustration over all this hopeless hunting situation, they mutter (or swear) to themselves. And that’s the chattering you hear.

Then, there’s the MIMICRY theory.

Truly believing they are capable of hunting that bird successfully, the chatter serves a more sophisticated purpose. In fact, it’s part of an elaborate camouflage to sound just like the bird and then allow themselves to get so close they could just strike.

If they weren’t on the wrong side of the glass that is. The theory is actually based off research on Brazilian wildcats who imitate the calls of Tamarin monkeys when they’re hunting them. Quite literally, wild huh?!

I feel like the SWEARING and FRUSTRATED feline is more likely but those bird calls can sound quite accurate.

So what do you think is happening with the cat chatter?