The Quietest Pet Birds Great For Apartment Living - How To Choose A Calm Parrot

Searching for a pet bird can be a difficult task, especially since there are so many species to choose from. 

Searching for quiet pet birds can be even more difficult... 

But there are some factors that can help you pick up a potentially perfect pet bird. For most people living in apartment buildings, one of the most important choices is picking a bird that won’t make a lot of noise. 

Keep in mind that even though quiet pet birds are actually less noisy, you should be aware that no healthy bird is completely silent.

Why Choose a Quiet Bird?

When it comes to birds, noise concerns are completely valid. There are numerous reasons why a louder bird species such as the macaw or cockatoo can pose a problem in your household. 

Here are some of the reasons and considerations for getting one of the more quiet pet birds:

Living Conditions

The choice of bird will also largely depend on the type of housing you live in and the space available for your pet. 

Living in an apartment building means there are certain communal rules and guidelines that people need to respect. 

That’s also the case when it comes to noise. A noisy bird can be a problem in such a setting and can cause conflict with your neighbors if the noise the birds produce is too loud and persistent.

Work Arrangements 

Family members that work the night shift might have problems sleeping or resting if your pet bird is too loud. Loud birds can also inconvenience people that heavily depend on telephone calls and video conferences to complete their work.

Personal Issues

Some people just react poorly to loud noises in their environment. Pet owners should respect that and bear in mind that not all of their housemates will be as enthusiastic about their pet bird.

Top Five Quietest Pet Birds

Even though a completely silent bird that’s also healthy doesn’t exist, there are some bird species that are much quieter than their louder kin. 

Here’s a list of the top five quiet pet birds that most likely won’t bother anyone with their songs.

1. Cockatiels 

Cockatiels are a fairly popular parrot species that tend to be quieter than most of their other parrot relatives. They’re a very popular species of quiet parrots that can even learn to behave in certain ways. 

This playful bird will need a larger cage, but they’re usually not a demanding species.

This colorful parrot is a part of a highly social species, so frequent socialization is needed either with yourself or other birds for the parrot to thrive and be happy. With enough training, they can learn to whistle and even repeat a few words. 

As a rule, female members of the species are quieter so keep that in mind when hunting for the quietest bird.

2. Parakeets and Budgies

Parakeets or Budgies are a smaller species of parrots with the same verbal abilities as their larger cousins. The English Budgie variety is even used in pet bird shows. 

They are easily trained and are fairly intelligent as well. They love to play and interact with their owners, and if you provide them with plenty of toys to keep them occupied, they’re likely to be very happy.

These small parrots are one of the most popular pet birds, and for good reason. The petite bird is unable to scream like some other species. This makes them one of the quietest bird pets. 

3. Canaries

Just like the above-mentioned parrots, Canaries are among the quietest pet birds around. They are known for their playful songs and are a cheerful and sociable species. As a result of breeding, Canaries are available in multiple colors ranging from yellow, orange and green.

The smaller size of this bird ensures that their voice won’t annoy the neighbors. While the males have a great singing voice it won’t be heard outside your apartment or, with closed doors, your room.  

This gentle bird can be bought in most pet stores, and there are around 200 breeds available to choose from.

4. Senegal Parrots

Senegal parrots are known for being comical and are able to talk and mimic people’s behaviors well. Even so, they tend to bond to one person and might start to avoid interacting with other family members.

These quiet parrots thrive on interaction with their owners and can be a great source of amusement for the entire household.

This medium-sized bird native to west Africa is an outstanding pet. The dark green and brown parrots are beautiful, and most importantly, relatively quiet birds. This parrot, while possessing the ability to talk and willingness to vocalize, won’t scream and screech.

5. Pacific Parrotlets

Parrotlets are small birds that tend to be affectionate and active. People looking for an active pet and companion should consider getting one. They, just like their larger cousins parakeets, are unable to screech and scream, and instead, they softly chirp most of the time.

Socialization is what makes this bird so interesting. At the same time, regular interaction keeps the parrotlets happy and thriving.

Parrotlets are one of the best pet birds for apartment living, as they tend to not make much noise. Their small size and lung capacity will make sure that even if they’re in the mood to sing it won’t bother anyone. 

There’s No Such Thing As A Silent Bird

Before you make the decision to adopt pet birds, make sure you evaluate the conditions you have available to care for it. 

Here's a short video to help you understand a bit of their language:

Making a decision to bring home a quiet bird because you live in an apartment building or a large household is a valid decision. But if you intend to get a bird with the notion that they will be completely quiet all the time you should reconsider.

Stopping vocalization, even in quiet species, is often a sign of serious maladies like trauma, infection or other disorders. No healthy bird is quiet all the time, and if you notice that your pet bird has been unusually quiet it might be time to visit your vet for a check-up.

Conclusion

The term "quiet" at first glance seems so contrasting to birds that are known for their singing and chirping. Even so, there are a number of quiet pet birds that are ideal for keeping in apartment buildings and homes with members that may be bothered by the noise. 

There are several species of birds known for their quietness, such as the Cockatiel, the Parakeet and the Budgie. Canaries, Senegal parrots, and Pacific parrotlets can be also counted in that group. 

Each of these best pet birds for apartment living make for great pets and companions, and the choice should be made based on individual preferences. 

It should also be noted that purchasing a pet with the notion it will keep silent all the time is unrealistic, as no healthy bird will be silent for longer periods. Careful consideration is required, alongside realistic expectations so that both you and the pet bird don’t end up frustrated and unhappy.