Living in an apartment often means balancing your love for animals with the reality of shared walls and sensitive neighbors. If you are a bird lover, you might worry that a feathered friend will lead to noise complaints or even an eviction notice. It is a common misconception that all parrots are ear-piercingly loud. While it is true that no bird is truly silent, many species are much more “conversational” than “confrontational” when it comes to their volume. Finding the right match for your small space is all about choosing a bird whose natural vocalizations are low-decibel and melodic rather than screechy.
In this guide, we are going to explore the best bird species for apartment dwellers, helping you find a companion that brings joy to your home without bringing the landlord to your door.
Why Noise Levels Matter in Apartments
Before we dive into the specific species, it is important to understand what “quiet” means in the bird world. Every bird has a voice, and they use it to communicate, find their flock, or express excitement. In an apartment, you want a bird that skips the “contact calls” and sticks to chirps, whistles, and low-frequency chatter.
A bird that screams for ten minutes every time you leave the room will quickly become a problem. However, a bird that whistles a happy tune or mumbles to itself while playing with a toy is usually perfectly acceptable. Here are our top picks for the best apartment-friendly birds.
1. The Budgerigar (Budgie)
Budgies, often called parakeets in the United States, are perhaps the most popular apartment birds in the world. They are small, colorful, and incredibly social. While they do chatter almost constantly, their voices are very quiet. A budgie’s noise is more of a background “grinding” or “warbling” sound that most people find quite soothing.
Budgies are also highly intelligent and can even learn to mimic human speech. Because their voices are so tiny, even a talking budgie is unlikely to be heard through a wall. They are active and playful, so they do need a good amount of out-of-cage time, but their physical size makes them very easy to manage in a smaller living area.
2. The Cockatiel
Cockatiels are the “gentle giants” of the apartment-friendly bird world. While they are larger than budgies, they are generally very mellow. Males are known for their incredible whistling ability and can be taught to whistle entire songs or mimics household sounds like a microwave beep.
The noise a cockatiel makes is usually a series of pleasant whistles and chirps. While they can occasionally let out a louder “flock call” if they lose sight of you, these moments are typically brief. Because they are so affectionate and prone to bonding closely with their humans, they are often content to sit quietly on your shoulder for hours.
3. Bourke’s Parrot
If you are looking for the absolute gold standard of quiet parrots, look no further than the Bourke’s Parrot. These stunning pink and grey birds are not technically “hookbills” in the way most people think of parrots, and their temperament is incredibly calm.
Bourke’s parrots are most active at dawn and dusk, during which time they might emit some soft, musical “tinkling” sounds. For the rest of the day, they are remarkably silent. They are not as “cuddly” as cockatiels, but they are very peaceful and make excellent observers of a household. If your neighbors have very thin walls, the Bourke’s Parrot is your safest bet.
4. Pacific Parrotlet
Don’t let the tiny size fool you, these birds have big personalities! Often called “pocket parrots,” Parrotlets are essentially tiny amazons. They are brave, feisty, and very intelligent. The reason they make this list is that they lack the physical lung capacity to produce the deafening screams of their larger cousins.
A Parrotlet’s noise consists of quick, sharp chirps and some quiet chatter. They are very busy birds that love to solve puzzles and chew on toys. Because they are so small, you can fit a very enriching cage into a small apartment corner without it dominating the room.
5. The Pionus Parrot
If you have your heart set on a larger, more traditional parrot, the Pionus family is the way to go. Species like the Blue-headed Pionus or the Maximillian Pionus are known for being much quieter than Greys, Macaws, or Conures. They have a reputation for being somewhat “stoic” and independent.
While a Pionus can certainly make a loud noise if they are truly startled, they don’t tend to scream for attention. They are medium-sized birds, so they do require a larger cage and more commitment than a budgie, but they are widely considered the best “large” parrot for apartment life.
Tips for Keeping the Peace
Even with a quiet species, there are things you can do to ensure your apartment remains a peaceful sanctuary:
– Soundproofing: Placing acoustic foam or heavy curtains on the wall shared with a neighbor can make a huge difference.
– Enrichment: A bored bird is a loud bird. Provide plenty of shreddable toys and foraging opportunities to keep their beaks busy.
– Routine: Birds scream when they are stressed or confused. A consistent schedule for light and sleep helps keep their hormones and noise levels in check.
– Avoid Reinforcing Screams: If your bird does make a loud noise, don’t run into the room. This teaches them that screaming “calls” you to them.
Conclusion
Choosing a bird for an apartment doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the joy of avian companionship. By selecting a species like a Budgie, Cockatiel, or the incredibly quiet Bourke’s Parrot, you can enjoy all the personality and beauty of a bird without worrying about your neighbors. Remember, every bird is an individual, so spending time with a bird before bringing it home is always a great idea to gauge their specific vocal personality.
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