My guinea pig is making an odd cherping noise?

Question

For the past few months, one of my guinea pigs has been making these weird cherping noises. They sound just like a bird? Why is it doing this?

Answer 1

I've had three male guinea pigs for about a year now. A couple months ago me and my husband woke up because we heard a BIRD in our living room. Turns out it was one of the pigs! I know what you're talking about, sounds exactly like a bird. People insist guinea pigs don't really do it, but I have heard it for myself! Apparently it's rare to have a pig that does it. Most people think it's a sign of stress, but all my pigs seemed fine when I came in and I still don't know which pig did it. This site has an interesting take on it, scroll down to "chirping:"
http://www.guinealynx.info/behavior.html
I wouldn't worry too much about it. Make sure nothing is stressing your pig out: does it have water, hay, pellets, a big enough cage? If so don't fret about it. You have a rare piggie! =)

Answer 2

I know this may sound weird, but Guinea pigs sometimes make chirping noises when they are stressed.

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For further help, (In case you are mixing up the noises) here is some information I have found on the internet.

Wheek - A loud noise that is essentially onomatopoeic, also known as a Whistle. An expression of general excitement, it may occur in response to the presence of its owner or to food replenishment. It is sometimes used to find other guinea pigs if they are running. If a guinea pig is lost, it may wheek for assistance.

Bubbling or Purring - This sound is made when the guinea pig is enjoying itself, when being petted or held. They may also make this sound when grooming, crawling around to investigate a new place, or when given food.

Rumbling - This sound is normally related to dominance within a group, though it can also come as a response to comfort or contentment. While courting, a male usually purrs deeply, while swaying from side to side, nearly lifting the rear feet.

Chutting and Whining - These are sounds made in pursuit situations, by the pursuer and pursuee, respectively.

Chattering - This sound is made by rapidly gnashing the teeth together, and is generally a sign of warning. Guinea pigs tend to raise their heads when making this sound.

Squealing or Shrieking - A high-pitched sound of discontent, in response to pain or danger.
Chirping - This less-common sound seems to be related to stress.

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Also, I believe they give samples of the sound on wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinea_pig

Answer 3

Guinea pigs make a lot of strange noises but its completely normal so don't panic! Trust me, I have 2 guinea pigs and they do that all the time. Look up guinea pig noises on google and it will show you other noises they make.

Hope this helps (=

Answer 4

It's very rare, but they do sound like they are singing like a bird. It only occurs when they are extremely happy. I raised guinea pigs for over 10 years and only heard it once from two different piggies.

Answer 5

You are very lucky to hear this.

It is a very, very rare sound and I have only heard it three times. It is very weird - sounds nothing like their usual wheeeks and coos.

no one knows what the noise means but usually the other guinea pigs will stop in their tracks, dead still, when they hear it.

Answer 6

I had a guinea pig that did taht and it was 1 of 2 things, she was either happy or stressed, she did it for both so it could be one of those..

Answer 7

he like you. this weird sound is how they communicate, if you listen closely you can start to tell what the different noises mean. they have a high pitched one for fear, a almost purring noise when they are content, usually a pattern for food is coming and a few others depending on the individual animal.

Answer 8

pigs have a whole vocabulary of noises. you should try to figure out what it means. it could be a happy chirp or it could be stressed. if you have multiple pigs they will often make a little choir and sing little chirpy songs.

Answer 9

Hi! my guinea pigs chirp whenever i come near their hut because they want a carrot it's sometimes just a sort of begging thing. : )

Answer 10

yea my friends guinea used to do that too...its kinda like dogs barking only its for guineas ... she said it meant he was happy or wanting attention....I don't know for sure what it means but I do know it's not a health issue, it's normal behavior...
hope that helps, sorry I don't have more to offer