Those living in an apartment know how much sound travels between the different units. As a result, choosing a parrot that’s quiet and well-behaved is an absolute must.
Also, most small studio apartments aren’t suitable for large birds that require a lot of space.
Small and quiet parrot species are ideal for apartments, such as budgies, parrotlets, Pionus parrots, cockatiels, Meyer’s parrots, lovebirds, and Bourke’s parakeets.
When choosing a suitable pet, perform research to find out if your favorite parrot is a naturally noisy bird that needs more space than you can provide. If so, opt for a quieter parrot instead.
Are Parrots Good for Apartments?
Many parrots are too noisy for 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments. Birds frequently screaming, squawking, and screeching will annoy your neighbors.
Sound can easily travel between walls, so neighbors living next door and directly above/below your unit will hear the parrot’s vocalizations, especially first thing in the morning when the sun rises.
Larger parrot species need the biggest cage possible, which most small apartments can’t accommodate. This will affect its quality of life, as it won’t be able to exercise by stretching its legs and wings.
Some parrots can live for 50-80 years. If you regularly move home, your living situation may be unsuitable. You’ll also stress the parrot by changing its environment too frequently.
However, there are small, quiet parrots better suited to apartment living. When choosing a pet parrot for an apartment, consider the following factors:
- Noise levels: Parrots that constantly scream and make loud vocalizations.
- Size: Some parrots need a large cage, so you must have enough space.
- Temperament: Unhappy parrots will be noisy and destructive.
- Exercise requirements: All parrots need 2-3 hours of out-of-cage exercise.
These parrots aren’t suited to apartment living due to their loud noise levels and large size:
- Alexandrine parakeets.
- Eclectus parrots.
- Amazon parrots.
- African grey parrots.
- Large macaws.
- Cockatoos.
- Ringneck parakeets.
Are Parrots Allowed in Apartments?
Some landlords allow pet parrots, while others have a no-pets policy.
If your rental agreement has a no-pets policy in place, you won’t be able to keep a parrot, even if it’s a small and quiet species.
An apartment is a shared living space, so the rules can be strict to protect other residents. Also, landlords don’t want their investment property to be damaged.
While some rented properties allow birds in cages, all parrots need out-of-cage time. According to the University of Guelph, parrots develop behavioral problems when denied enrichment.
Parrots become sad and depressed when confined to their cage 24/7, so read and understand the apartment’s terms and conditions to determine whether keeping a pet parrot is allowed.
What Parrots Are Good for Apartments?
If an apartment’s building rules state you can have a pet parrot, look for a quiet, low-maintenance bird. Here are the best parrots for apartments and why:
Budgerigars
American budgies (parakeets) are among the most popular pet parrots because they’re such sweet and affectionate birds.
They’re not as small as parrotlets but close, averaging around 8 inches from head to tail.
Pet budgies can live for 7-15 years, so they’re not as long-lived as other parrot species.
According to The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, budgies have a complex vocal repertoire. Budgies are quieter than most birds but love to chatter and chirp.
They have playful and interesting personalities and enjoy socially interacting with their owners. You can teach a budgie to step on your finger after basic training.
Bonded budgerigars can live in pairs in the same cage. However, they occasionally fight over food and territory, which can get boisterous and have unpleasant consequences.
If there’s any fighting, the two budgies should be separated to prevent bullying.
Consider getting a larger English budgie if you want an alternative to an American budgie.
The right cage size for a budgie is around 18 x 18 x 18 inches.
Parrotlets
Parrotlets are little parrots (around 5 inches long) with larger-than-life personalities. They’re clever, social, active, playful, and curious-natured.
Despite their diminutive size, parrotlets can be feisty with strong-willed and determined personalities.
Parrotlets bond closely with their owners, craving attention and social interaction. So, a second bird is recommended to keep them company while you’re at work or college.
Parrotlets live for an average of 15-20 years in captivity.
They aren’t noisy birds, especially if you keep them occupied and entertained. However, they can become more boisterous if they feel ignored or aren’t getting t own way.
There are limits to their capacity for noise because they’re tiny birds with small lungs. While parrotlets aren’t the most accomplished talkers, they can learn some basic words and phrases.
Although parrotlets love to interact and play, they can amuse themselves if you provide several perches, shredding toys, swings, ladders, puzzles, mirrors, and bells.
Parrotlets require a cage that’s about 19 x 19 x 26 inches.
Pionus Parrots
Pionus parrots are medium-sized parrots (about 10-12 inches) with a gentle nature and laid-back personality. The average Pionus has a life expectancy of 25-40 years.
Although there are 8 species of Pionus parrots, just 5 of them (blue-headed, Maximilian’s, white-capped, dusky, and bronze-winged) are commonly kept as household pets.
Pionus parrots aren’t as noisy as other birds but grow louder if you have a rambunctious home. However, that’s the case with all parrots.
Pionus parrots can talk, but their voice isn’t as clear as more popular species. However, some Pionus parrots develop a surprisingly impressive repertoire of words and phrases.
They’re sensitive to changes in their environment and routine, so they need consistency to thrive.
Pionus parrots are affectionate birds, enjoying one-on-one time with their bonded owners. They’re clever birds that thrive on learning, engaging, and interactive play.
The optimal cage size for a Pionus parrot is about 24 x 24 x 30 inches.
Cockatiels
Cockatiels are another popular parrot species due to their loveable personalities and adorable orange cheeks.
Cockatiels are among the best beginner species because they’re medium-sized (about 12-13 inches) and live for 15-20 years.
The position of their crest feathers reveals how they’re feeling.
Raising the crest implies curiosity, while a flattened crest is more defensive. However, if the crest feathers aren’t fully raised, this suggests that the cockatiel is more relaxed and at ease.
Cockatiels can learn to talk, but they’re likelier to make vocalizations, such as the following:
- Whistling.
- Chirping.
- Warbling.
- Squawking.
Cockatiels may hiss and scream if they’re feeling defensive or afraid. More generally, they’re less vocal than most other species, so they make ideal apartment pets.
Cockatiels are prone to night frights, where they see or hear something that scares them, causing them to enter a blind panic. Placing a cover over the cage at night can help them sleep better.
Cockatiels need at least a 20 x 20 x 24-inch cage with horizontal bars.
Meyer’s Parrots
Meyer’s parrots are easy-going and gentle birds, making them ideal family and apartment pets.
Meyer’s parrots belong to the Poicephalus family (the same classification as Senegal parrots). They’re relatively small parrots that average 8-9 inches in length.
Meyer’s parrots live 25-30 years with the right care and attention.
Meyer’s parrot sounds consist of chirps, whistling, clicking, and high-pitched squeaks. They can learn some words if they hear and repeat them often enough, but they’re not good talkers.
Don’t be alarmed if the parrot makes a beep or alarm sound from where it’s copied an electrical device.
They need a cage that’s at least 20 x 20 x 18.
Bourke’s Parakeets
Bourke’s parakeets (pink parakeets) are small birds that reach an average of 7-8 inches in length.
They’re well-known for their quiet, relaxed nature, making less noise than most other parrot species. However, they’re energetic birds.
Bourke’s parakeets enjoy the company of their owners during their lifespan, which averages 15-25 years.
Bourke’s parakeets produce pleasant sounds, but they don’t talk. When startled, they produce a sharp, high-pitched sound, so they suit living in a relatively quiet apartment.
Bourke’s parakeets need a cage that’s 24 x 30 x 24.
Lovebirds
The genus Agapornis consists of 9 different lovebirds, the most popular being the peach-faced, masked, and Fischer’s lovebirds.
Lovebirds are popular due to their gentle personality and compact size (about 5-6.5 inches). Lovebirds live for 10-15 years.
Lovebirds don’t need another lovebird to be happy, provided you offer friendship and companionship.
If you get a pair of lovebirds, you may find it’s less attentive toward you.
Lovebirds show affection by whistling and chattering rather than talking. They also squeak and sing as they explore the home but rarely become too noisy for neighbors to hear.
Lovebirds need a cage that’s at least 32 x 20 x 32.
Senegal Parrots
Despite their intense gaze, Senegal parrots are playful birds that enjoy engaging with their owners.
Senegal parrots average about 9 inches long, with an average life expectancy of 25 to 35 years.
They need 2-3 hours of out-of-cage time to play and explore, or they’ll become prone to stress and behavioral problems.
Senegals are good talkers, and they can also mimic sounds, including the following:
- Coughs.
- Clicker sounds.
- Alarm clocks.
- Sirens.
- Sneezes.
They’re ideal for an apartment setting because they don’t make ear-splitting screams.
The perfect cage size for a Senegal parrot is 24 x 24 x 32.
Caique Parrots
Caique parrots are high-energy, comical birds that are a constant source of fun and entertainment. They reach about 9-10 inches and live for approximately 25-35 years.
Caiques can be stubborn and temperamental parrots, sometimes showing hostility toward other birds.
As Caique parrots are such high-energy birds, giving them many different toys and out-of-cage exercise is essential.
Although not the quietest birds, Caiques produce average noise levels. You can teach them basic phrases and words with the right training, but they’re better known for whistling and clucking sounds.
Caiques need a large cage measuring 24 x 24 x 32.
Red-Bellied Parrots
Red-bellied parrots are small (about 9 inches long) with an average life expectancy of 20-25 years.
When socialized early in life, red-bellied parrots are active and social birds that enjoy engaging with humans. This is a fun part of their personality if you have people visiting the apartment.
They’re not vocal birds, especially compared to other members of the Poicephalus genus, so they rarely screech and squawk.
They can talk a little and mimic sounds, making them entertaining parrots.
The right cage size for a red-bellied parrot is about 28 x 20 x 24.
Barred Parakeets
Also known as the lineolated parakeet, barred parakeets are sometimes mistaken for budgies, although they’re slightly stockier and more relaxed.
The average barred parakeet grows to be 6 to 6.5 inches long, and their life expectancy is 10-15 years.
When given appropriate care, lineolated parakeets are friendly and even-tempered birds that enjoy the company of their owners. They’re widely considered to be comical and entertaining.
Their natural call is soft and gentle, almost like a song. They tend to chatter rather than screech as they spend most of their time attempting to mimic sounds and basic phrases. However, they’re better at mimicking sounds than talking.
The optimal cage size for a barred parakeet is 18 x 24 x 18 inches.
Mini Macaws
Mini macaws are among the smallest macaw parrot, measuring up to 20 inches. While this isn’t as small as other birds, it’s not big for a macaw.
The typical lifespan of a mini macaw is 20-30 years. Their smaller stature makes them easier to care for.
No macaw is quiet, but they’re quieter than standard macaws. While they’re good talkers, their voices can be loud and grating.
If you don’t teach a mini macaw to talk early enough, it’ll focus on making whistling sounds. However, these intelligent birds are capable of developing an extensive vocabulary.
While some macaws can become noisy, early training and socialization will prevent unwanted behaviors.
The ideal cage size for a mini macaw is about 34 x 24 x 36.
All birds are noisy, but some are significantly quieter than others. Just because you live in an apartment doesn’t mean you have to miss out on owning a pet parrot.
