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The Apartment Bird

© Mary Wilson

One of the most common situations in bird ownership regards the size of the living quarters, for the human part of the equation. Most people living in mobile homes, apartments, or other housing in which neighbors live relatively close together worry about noise. After all, birds live in a very vocal society. Early morning and late evening chatter spreads news about the day, as do the occasional calls by flock members to determine the location of the rest of the flock. Most potential, or current, bird owners have stepped into a pet store to hear the screams of an angry macaw or cockatoo. Such levels of noise cannot be tolerated in the close confines of an apartment complex.

So, what is a potential bird owner to do? Once again small hookbills come to the rescue. These little gems of the bird world thankfully require a cage that can be worked into any living arrangement, and they do not vocalize as much as their larger cousins. These two traits alone make them perfect for living in an apartment.

Let's take a look at the various members of the small hookbill family and see how they do in an apartment setting. Of course, the rule of thumb is that any parrot can be quieter or louder than the other members of the species; therefore, you do hear of larger birds living happily in apartments, just as you hear of trouble with the smaller ones. A good rule is that a bird will be as loud as the environment in which it lives. Therefore, a bird living with screaming children and a loud television, will try to out shout the noise around it.

Parakeets make great apartment birds. Although these little colorful birds do vocalize, they do not scream as loud as the bigger birds. In addition, the cost of the bird and it's supplies is not prohibitive to bird ownership.

Larger on the scale, but still small hookbills, are the cockatiels. These little clowns can vocalize, some quite loudly, but they also do well in the apartment situation. The initial cost of the bird is a bit higher than a parakeet, but definitely worth it.

Parrotlets are touted as the great apartment bird, mostly due to their inability to scream. These birds make great pets in the smaller house, and they'll love being with you most of the time that you're at home.

Lovebirds, while they are built like a large parrotlet, do not hold the same qualities as a parrotlet. Although these birds make great pairs and are adorable to watch, they do, unfortunately, have the ability to scream. I would recommend lovebirds for places where you do not have shared walls.