Yes, African Greys are quite loud, and won’t stop screaming when left alone, under stress or not getting the space for socializing. Their sound can reach a level of 70 decibels normally, but it is less loud than other parrots, such as a macaw, whose scream reaches a level of 120 decibels.
African Grey parrots love to interact and talk throughout the day. They are intelligent and sensitive birds and they only get loud under certain circumstances.
Here we are about to explore the conditions that can make these birds noisy and we will also share tips on how to control the noise level.
How Loud are African Grey Parrots?
African Greys are known for mimicking your conversation like a living recorder They have distinct raspy calls and also chatter most of the time. They can mimic different birds, and surround sounds, including a ringing phone, a cycle bell, or even the horn of a car.
If the bird is in a mood, then the screams can reach beyond 110 decibels, depending on the environment and the training received. Often, it can be heard making faint chirps or ear-shattering screeches, other times, the screaming becomes unwelcoming.
However, this noise level can be controlled by positive reinforcement and consistent training. You can also incorporate good habits in the bird as it is a good learner.
How Loud Are African Grey Parrots When Compared with Other Parrots?
When compared with other parrot species, African Greys are quieter. However, they might start screaming due to some obvious reasons but would stop after a while. Also, they are more likely to scream if they are trying to imitate loud noises or are kept in a noisy environment. They have a loud and shrill behavior and during the day, you can hear them whistle, screech, or call all the time.
Why do African Grey Parrots Scream or Become Loud?
African Greys are not as loud as their counterparts but they tend to scream, due to –
- When feeling hungry or have not received food for a long time, they start making noise.
- If they encounter any predator animal such as a dog or cat, they can start screaming.
- If they feel lonely or want to grab your attention, if you are not in the room, or have been separated from the companion, then it can become noisy.
- There are certain stimuli that can trigger the screaming, such as excessive boredom, no activity or engagement, left alone for a long time.
Tips to Get African Grey Parrots to Stop Screaming
Let’s check out the tips that you can follow if you want your African Grey Parrots to stop screaming:
- Never give attention to the bird or talk to it while it is screaming, otherwise, they presume that you are rewarding their behavior and continue with the screaming.
- Try to redirect its attention, when the bird starts screaming. You can use a toy or any game, or talk in a calm voice in between the screaming.
- African Grey parrots are quite intelligent and they must be provided with enough stimulation. This will help them from getting bored and so, supply them with enough toys.
- Never leave the bird alone for a long time and keep it occupied with either food or any activity.
- You need to check that the bird is able to spend enough time outside the cage. You can also help the bird reduce its boredom and stress by giving it some fresh air and taking it for regular walks, which would reduce the screaming.
- African Parrots are social creatures and they like to interact with other birds, so you can get a second bird and this would reduce the screaming.
- You must also check that the African Parrot is getting enough sleep of 10-12 hours and try to address every health problem immediately.
- If you are trying to train an African Parrot, then you must be patient and consistent in this matter. You must teach the bird that by screaming it won’t be able to grab your attention.
- You must build a healthy relationship with your bird and never punish, scream, or shout at it for being noisy otherwise, it can worsen the situation.
Are African Grey Parrots Suitable for Apartments?
Yes, you can keep African Grey Parrots in apartments, and comparatively, they are quieter parrot breeds. But, you need to be careful that they have good company to interact with the entire day, stay happy, and get toys to play with. Give them healthy food to enhance their energy and this would also keep them engaged. Moreover, you can also train them and keep them busy with certain activities that would reduce their noise level. Otherwise, they are very intelligent, trainable birds, and if you are able to build trust and devote time to them every day they can live peacefully without causing too much noise disruption.
What to Do if an African Grey Parrot Does not Stop Screaming?
If the African Grey is still screaming, even after trying out all the hacks, then it must be injured or something is wrong with the cage. The parrot can also be upset about a broken toy, spoiled food or not finding a place safe or comfortable to sleep. So, you must take the bird to either a vet for examination or a certified animal behaviorist.
Is it Legal to Keep an African Grey Parrot?
Based on the country you live in, the government has certain rules and regulations based on the ownership of certain exotic birds. So, you need to check these rules before getting an African Grey Parrot.
