Are you considering adding a cockatiel to your family? It’s vital to remember that parrots aren’t the quietest pets. Are cockatiels loud, or are they quieter than other birds? Will you be able to keep them in an apartment for long periods of time? What about their squawking and screeching when they’re upset or lonely?
Let’s look at cockatiel noise levels to see whether these Australian parrots are a good fit for you and your lifestyle. We will also consider how to reduce cockatiel noise for those who already have these birds as pets.
Are cockatiels loud?
It’s all about your personal definition of loudness in the end. Are cockatiels louder than Amazon parrots? In comparison to some of the loudest parrot species, they might as well be quiet. Are they noisier than a goldfish? Yes, compared to goldfish, they are quiet also.
All parrots make a variety of sounds. After all, most species are sociable and may be found in huge flocks in the wild. Cockatiels, like many other bird species, travel in groups of dozens or hundreds of individuals. And how do you keep in touch with someone who lives three trees away? You communicate. You call out to each other, just like parrots do in the wild.
Cockatiels make a wide range of noises. The sound made when they contact each other, which is rather loud and shrill, is the most bothersome to us humans. In fact, it appears that the majority of ‘tits are capable of generating noises with a decibel level of 80 or more when they call to one another, right on the verge of being damaging to our ears.
It’s important to remember that noise is all relative, though. A human shouting can be 100 decibels or more, which are levels not only extremely loud but also potentially ear-shattering. Put in context, a cockatiel calling out to another individual is pretty tame by comparison.
If you’ve ever had a cockatiel on your shoulder start screaming, you’ll know how loud it can be! The upside is that unless your cockatiel is lonely or unhappy, it should not make too many contact calls.
The great majority of cockatiels make much softer sounds than the shrill contact call. These vocalizations are usually made when a cockatiel is content and may include chirping, whistling, and even singing.
Cockatiels make a fair amount of noise, but most people should be able to tolerate them. They’ll do well in apartments unless you have particularly sensitive neighbors. Cockatiels will do just fine as house pets.
Did you know? A cockatiel is a tiny parrot kind. Cockatiels are not nearly as loud as their larger relatives, which are by far the noisiest pets!
Males vs. females
Cockatiels, like other parrot species such as budgies, have significant variations in noise levels between male and female cockatiels. And just as with other parrots, the males are typically the noisiest.
Cockatiels use songs to attract mates and strengthen social connections. They are far more inclined to sing, tweet, and chatter the entire day. Females, on the other hand, prefer to stick to flock calls. There are some exceptions, but a female cockatiel is usually a safer choice when it comes to noise. It will be less inclined to tweet and whistle all day long.
Female cockatiels, on the other hand, aren’t as musically inclined as males. Because female cockatiels don’t have the same musical ability as male cockatiels, they don’t pick up speech or music nearly as well. If you want your ‘tiel to mimic your voice and teach it to talk, a guy might be the way to go.
You can also reduce noise levels by providing your cockatiel with a good selection of toys. By giving them something to do, you’ll keep them occupied and out of trouble – and hopefully away from your ears!
Tip: We can’t emphasize enough that acquiring a female cockatiel does not guarantee you’ll end up with a quiet pet. A cheerful and healthy ‘tiel should not be excessively noisy, but keep in mind that birds are simply not noise-free! Earplugs are the best companion of any parrot owner.
Are cockatiels loud at night?
Another benefit of cockatiels and other birds is that their noises don’t keep you up at night. Most cockatiels and other birds fall asleep within a few minutes as soon as the lights go out. The occasional quiet slumber mumble may be heard, but not much else.
Birds that vocalize during the night, such as parrots and macaws, are generally the exception, not the rule. If your cockatiel is up at night and making a lot of noise, it’s likely because there’s something wrong, and you’ll need to take a closer look.
In general, cockatiels don’t wake up their owners with their noise. That’s not to say they’re quiet – cockatiels can definitely be vocal – but they usually don’t make a lot of noise at night.
When are cockatiels loud?
Cockatiels, as we’ve seen, can scream very loudly. The problem is that they seldom do so, which is why they are classified as one of the quieter parrot species.
Cockatiels usually call only when they have a specific reason. Cockatiel noise levels vary throughout the day, much like those of other parrots. For the majority of the day, a single ‘tiel or a pair will be quiet, peacefully sleeping, playing with their toys, or foraging. But as soon as they want something, such as breakfast or a snack, expect to hear a lot of loud noise.
If/when the noise level rises.:
- Your cockatiel is lonely, bored, or hungry.
- Your cockatiel is just woken up (which can be quiet early in the summer months!).
- Your cockatiel can hear noises in your home. They’re just unable to avoid being engaged, whether it’s a dinner party, the cleaning, or some music.
- Cockatiels are lonely without their flock, even if they’re only on different sides of the room. Humans are members of the flock.
- Another ‘tiel, such as a neighbor’s bird, may irritate your cockatiel.
- Your cockatiel is in the heat for a mate, a toy, or even their own reflection. Expect singing, whistling, cooing, and even beak tapping.
- Your cockatiel becomes startled for no apparent reason.
- Your cockatiel acts like nothing is wrong. Even long-time parrot owners might not be able to figure out why their birds are screaming from time to time.
- The more cockatiels you have, the louder they will get. Nonstop social interactions, flirting, and bickering are all accompanied by whistles and howls.
Did you know? Cockatiels form strong bonds with their partners and respond strongly to distress calls from them. The presence of noise is a crucial component in their social interactions and safety.
Liévin-Bazin et al., 2018
Help, my cockatiel is loud!
It’s fairly unpleasant when your cockatiel is shouting, especially if we’re talking about those piercing flock calls. If this is happening on a regular basis, there’s something wrong that you need to address.
Cockatiels will be quiet for most of the day unless you have a larger flock. If yours isn’t, there’s something wrong. Make sure your bird is satisfied and healthy by thoroughly investigating the situation and resolving the underlying issue.
If you think your cockatiel is just being loud for the fun of it, think again. This behavior can be a sign that they’re trying to tell you something. It’s up to you to figure out what that is and address the problem!
Some things to consider are:
- Is your cockatiel lonely? Cockatiels are highly sociable creatures. When you leave the room or don’t pay enough attention to your cockatiel, it may scream continuously. You could want a buddy for your bird.
- Is your cockatiel bored? If your cockatiel is bored, it will almost certainly begin making noise as a means of distracting itself. Keep your cockatiel in the center of things by offering it lots of love and toys.
- Is your cockatiel scared? Cockatiels are skittish, and anything that appears routine to us humans might spook them. Covering part of the cage is one method to prevent it, and make sure you look for the source.
- Is your cockatiel getting enough sleep? They must have 12-14 hours of uninterrupted sleep. To keep all light out, try covering the cage.
- Is your cockatiel traumatized? Cockatiels that are not in the wild can vocalize excessively, which might be tough to figure out since you don’t know where the bird came from. Be patient and invest plenty of time training and socializing your cockatiel.
Interesting scientific tidbit: Vitamin A poisoning has been linked to excessive vocalization in cockatiels. Because much is still unknown about their true vitamin A needs, many parrot foods include a lot of the stuff, possibly leading to overdosis. More research is needed, but if your cockatiel is screaming its head off and nothing else seems to work, you might consider a change in diet.
Koutsos, Woods & Klasing, 2003.
Quieter parrots
Are you concerned about loud noises? While cockatiels are regarded as one of the quietest parrot species, some species create even less noise. African Greys, for example, are virtually silent. If you’re looking for a quieter bird, consider a Grey.
The loudest budgies are the orange-bellied conures, rose-breasted conures, and peach-faced lovebirds. Budgies with ear tufts make higher decibel noises than those without. Cockatiels’ sounds on YouTube may be compared to rosy bourke’s parakeets or parrotlets. The latter is very quiet.
Adult size has nothing to do with how loud a cockatiel is. Males are generally more talkative than females, but it doesn’t mean anything in particular. Be aware of their body language when you speak to them. If they are sitting or standing tall, paying attention with their big eyes wide open, their body fairly still and relaxed, they are interested in what you’re saying. If their head is turned away, they are not interested and may be trying to tell you something with their noise.
In the wild, cockatiels make loud noises to warn of danger and to keep in contact with other flock members. They will also make distress calls from them. The presence of loud noises is often a sign of other problems, so it should be investigated.
If you have any more inquiries on cockatiel noise levels or want to share your own experiences with these lively Australian birds, please do not hesitate to leave a remark below!
