Lately I’ve been receiving email asking for my opinion on which parrot is better and quiet, because they are impressed with the abilities these parrots can do, furthermore having a parrot is so entertaining and fun.

True, I do admit that parrots are really cute and fun companions. Many people only see the positive state of parrots but they failed to see the negative state of parrots. They failed to understand that parrots aren’t domestic pets like dogs or cats. Even parrots that are captive bred, hand-fed by humans still have their own wild instincts within their blood. There are time these cute fellows can go cranky or even turning to real devil which turned the whole house upside down.

It’s pretty sad whenever I read articles of parrots had been abandoned, re-homed or even sold away just because their owners don’t love them anymore. Just because they screamed, go cranky and totally out of control. It’s really heart-breaking.

Why do parrots have to stuck in these scenarios and going through these pains? In fact, the owners are to be blamed for bringing their parrots into these scenarios. Only if they had made serious considerations, understanding and accepting the possible problems of the parrots, these scenarios can be prevented.

Thus I decided to write this post to highlight the key considerations to take note to assist new and future parrot owners in making a wise decision rather than stranded in painful scenarios of abandoning, rehoming or selling the parrots away.

Accept these facts:

1. Noise
   Parrots are flock animals, they vocalize everyday. So don’t expect them to be as quiet as an aquarium fish. Some species vocalize a lot when the sun rise and set. Are you able to withstand with the extra noise in your household? Sorry to say this, there isn’t any quiet parrot in this globe. Seriously if you are still looking for one, get a stuff toy instead.
2. Mess
   Parrots are messy-eaters and their feathers and powder feathers (especially parrots like greys, cockatiels and cockatoos are dusty birds) contribute to the extra dust in your household. Extra mess means extra work in cleaning. Do mind the “little” extra mess in your household?
3. Time
   Since parrots are flock animals, they love attentions from their owners. Are you able to commit to 1-2 hours daily of quality time spent with your parrot? Are able to commit the extra hours for preparing meals for your parrot and the daily/weekly cleaning routines?
4. Space
   Macaws and other big parrots need very big cages. Even a smaller species like Senegal need at least 20 x 20 inch base size cage. Do have the extra space for your parrot?
5. Money
   Many tends to have a misconception that parrots are low maintenance pets. That’s totally untrue. Expenses on food, cages, toys, accessories and visit to the vet, all this need money and I guaranteed to you none of the items are cheap. A good and durable powder-coated or wrought iron cages can cost from 80-200SGD (Singapore Dollars) onwards and a visit to the vet can cost you from 70SGD onwards. Do plan and draft out your expenses. whether the extra hundred over dollars
6. Demanding
   Since parrots are flock animals, they love attentions from their owners. There are times even when you are busy they will call for your attention. Are you able to answer to their needs and calls?
7. Maturity*
   Baby parrots tends to be cute, well-behaved and most important “relatively quiet”. Sweet moments don’t always last forever. Behavior Problems like screaming and biting start to surface once parrot start to reach their sexual maturity at around 1-2 years old depending on species. Are you able to accept it when your parrot is no longer an angel but a devil?

Selecting the right species for your home:

Next getting the right species is definitely important too. Many people tend to fall in love by the affectionate and cuddliness of a cockatoo and the majestic appearance of a macaw, but they failed to understand that cockatoos and macaws are very noisy birds. They do scream and vocalize loudly throughout the day and you have to accept this. It’s already “pre-programmed” within the genes, you have to accept it. If not, best is look for other species.

There are other parrots that are labeled as noisy birds like Indian Ringnecks and Conures. Both species chatters a lot throughout the day, it’s their characteristic. Thus don’t expect this birds to be low in noise.

If noise can be a factor like me, I personally live in an apartments and the units are close built together thus loud noise can easily travel through the walls. Thus opted on “relatively quiet” species like lovebird and the Senegal Parrot. There are other “quieter” parrots like African Greys and Parrotlets. Do take note why I quoted the word quiet. As I mentioned earlier on, all parrot make noise there no such parrot in this world that is completely mute.

Why do people labeled Senegal Parrots and Greys as “quieter” parrots even they make noise? It’s because they rarely vocalize throughout the day (usually quiet like Kermit, my senegal parrot can be really quiet throughout the morning and afternoon without uttering a single beep) and they don’t really scream like macaws or cockatoos. Thus recommended for apartment dwellers. But do take note, the household environment do contribute to the noise level of the parrot. A noisy household will lead to a noisy parrot!

Final Words:

Having a parrot at household definitely will change your lifestyle completely, and parrots have longer lifespan than any other pets, this means you have to live with the current situation for the next 10 years or more. So asked yourself, are ready for the change?

So to conclude, take your time to do ample research, planning and careful considerations on the possible problems ahead. Taking these necessary steps can prevent you ending up scenarios of abandoning, re-homing and selling your parrot away.

I can strongly feel how much Kiki appreciates her roosting box that was erected for her two months ago. Basically it’s made out of a plastic container (widely available at any tupperware store, even a used ice-cream tub is suitable), with a cut-out at the top lid as entrance.

I’m planning constructing one for Kermit. Of course, this round it won’t be made of a plastic container, because of the vast different in physical size between Kiki and Kermit. Most probably, I will need to customize a roosting box that is with a dimension of 9-10inch square base and 15inch in height. The following dimension should be sufficient enough for Kermit to move without much limitation. More research has to be done, before commencing the DIY Roosting Box project.

Many might wonder: What’s the different between a roosting box and a nesting box? What’s the need of furnishing the cage with a roosting box?

The difference between a roosting box and a nesting box, is that the roosting box appears to have a bigger entrance. The bigger entrance will allow sufficient daytime within the roosting box, thus this will reduce the possibility of triggering breeding behavior of the parrots.

Next, there are so much benefits of having a roosting box. A roosting box provide a place for parrots where they can withdraw and hide whenever they feel threatened. This gives parrots a sense of security and does build up their confidence in a way. It’s a one-stop in providing shelter, warmth cozy spot for parrots during cold weather. It can be an ideal solution to “block off” disturbance and noise from the household environments, thus I guess it perfect way to ensure our parrots, doing in busy households, have uninterrupted sleep throughout the night.

I’ve ever come across with an article written by a well-known ornithologist indicating that providing a roosting box in the cage is one effective method in combating excessive vocalization. Parrots will not make any loud vocalization or scream excessively whenever they are inside the box. I totally agree with this fact. Kiki seems to be rather quiet most of the time.

Since there are so many advantages, why not let our feathered pals have a roosting box of their own. I believe they will gladly appreciate it, rather than politely rejecting it.

Lately I managed to capture a short sound clip of Kermit’s contact calls. In the following sound clips, you will hear Kermit starts to make the annoying contact calls when I sounded “Be Right Back” and left the room.

Sound Clip of Kermit’s Contact Calls

It still a normal and acceptable vocalizing by Kermit, but just imagine and multiply the volume by 3 times. It can be quite piercing to human ears. Definitely you are bound to get complaints from neighbors. Luckily, I haven’t got to hear Kermit lunging at that volume for quite some time. I’ve yet to capture the sound clip of the notorious scream. Hope I never had the chance for that!

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