Greys: The Noise Factor

[Eliza]

I came across this while scanning the Parrots of the World website:

As a modern day avian companion, the African Grey fits well into apartments and condominiums due to its small size and quiet nature. They rarely make enough noise to upset your neighbors.

What do you folks think of this statement?

I was always under the impression that greys were considered to be loud birds. I have to admit that my experience with greys is EXTREMELY limited. Sure, I've admired a few at local bird stores and have been reading about them for years but that hardly makes me familiar with the species. The only bird that I've observed up close was Mickey, the office mascot at the vet I used for the hedgehogs. Mickey was a delight and certainly NOT what I'd call loud, by any means. If anything, I found his voice soothing as I more often than not, I was there for veterinary emergancies.

I've always admired the beauty of the grey (who wouldn't?) and their intelligence. I never thought that they would make a suitable companion for me, given my current living situation. I have no roommates or neighbors but my apartment is above a business. Pets are allowed but I do have to take noise into careful consideration.

And noise is such a subjective thing, too. I find Beetle's mid-morning sqwauk-fest to be rather amusing but when my co-worker's 'teil exhibits the same behavior (I care for Sophie-bird on occasion) it nearly sets my teeth on edge!

Please understand that I am not looking to run out and bring home a grey tomorrow... or even 5 years from now. There are SO many things to consider aside from the noise factor. I'm just curious.

-e-

[cfulhage]

I've also read that description in books, and it was one of the reasons I decided I would go ahead and get my grey. Ollie is only 8 months old, and I've had her for 6 of those months. She doesn't talk yet, but she does jabber, kiss, cluck, and whistle. However, so far, I have found her to be much easier on the ears than my tiel. She probably just hasn't found her big voice yet, but I figure even if she does eventually talk, she most likely won't be screaming words and phrases. She is a fantastic apartment bird.

The second you walk into the pet store, you hear all the smaller birds chattering away, but the greys are mostly quiet, except for talking. That's just my experience with them.

[FeatherLover]

Togo can get quite loud with this high-pitched thing he does, but he only does it when he wants my attention.

I agree with Camille that it's easier on the ears than a cockatiel.

When RJ (tiel) starts up, Togo says, quite firmly: "Hey, RJ! Knock it off! Stop it!" or "Quiet!"

Gotta love it.

[rubiojwls]

I'm owned by 3 CAGs and 1 Yellow sided green check. My CAGs, Coco (3 years old, Shadow 2 1/2 years old and my new baby Chico who is about 5-6 months old, Kiwi my green check). I also live in a condominium and so far I have not had any problems with them. They are really quiet when no one is in the house......when I get there they talk (Coco and Shadow), at times they can get loud but they are just wanting to have attention. Chico came this Christmas eve, yes he was my Christmas blessing/present. I kind of rescued him from a pet store....if you want to read more about him you can look for a thread "My Christmas present (Yes, I'm a new mommy)".
CAGs are very intelligent and can get bored easily, which means that you will have to spend a lot of time with them and buy a lot of toys. But they are so beatiful....you will fall in love with them.
They are great for apartments or condominiums!

[Graehstone]

Out of the four birds I have, Cleo our Senegal and smallest bird, is the loudest of them all. She is the only one that I want to throttle on a daily basis, but then she cocks her head sideways and says "Love you" and the killing is postponed.
Ruby (CAG) is very quite most times and Gracie (TAG) can become a handful at times as well. But all in all I would agree with everyone that says Greys are good apartment birds. It really all depends on you the owner how loud your bird is in the long run.
A bird with plenty of toys and food and clean cage and water that has plenty of mental stimulation will in all likelihood not be that loud.
There is always a reason for screaming and it's up to you to figure out what it is and fix it.

[ladyscroller]

I have only had Noah since September so I am by far no expert on them but
he is one of the quietest birds I have ever been owned by. He talks in the morning and the evening but rarely does he make alot of noise that would make apartment living impossible.
Linda

[wildirish]

Our little Sophie is as loud and obnoxious as our M2 and Macaws! The problem is they learn the noise....LOL!!! She can mimic a truck backing up beep loudly!!

She also saves herself from being throttled by giving kisses, or when you scold her by name turning to look at you and says "what?" like little miss innocent!!!!

[greyburd]

Spencer definitely has her moments. She's generally quiet in the morning until I go downstairs. Right now, she's down there talking to herself, not being loud at all. When I go down there, that's when the fun starts. She has this high pitched thing that she's been doing lately. She usually does it when I walk out of the room. I guess she's using it as an attention getter. So, I just choose to ignore it. If she whistles at me, I'll whistle back or say "what?" But, I won't respond to her high pitched sound. Usually (when I'm home, I can't vouch for when I'm at work - obviously) she has about 2 or 3 times a day when she goes through her repertoire of sounds. I think the noises she makes are so funny sometimes. I just sit and laugh. I don't know where she gets half of the sounds from.

But, as far as being apartment or condo birds.......... I don't think they're any louder than some people's children. And children CAN get loud!

[StellaBlue]

I don't believe I have ever heard our timnehs scream.

Our macaws scream for fun at sunrise and suset, the severe macaw screams to get attention because she is a brat and it worked in her previous life, and the cockatoos I lived with for many years seemed to scream just because they could (I quite literally suffered hearing loss after living with them).

In circumstances where other birds scream, our timnehs vocalize - talk, imitate noises, whistle... Many years ago I lived with my previous timneh (RIP baby girl) in an apartment, and really didn't have any problem. I think they are one of the better choices for apartment living.

They WILL, however imitate all sorts of noises, so consider carefully. The real issue, to my mind is what they will HEAR. If you've got neighbors who have full-out cursing fights on Saturday nights or a who own a yapping yorkie, your bird WILL imitate them. I left my timneh in my apartment overnight once. Aparently the fire alarm battery went low soon after we left, and began emitting a low "weep" sound every 45 seconds or so. When we returned, it had been doing that for just under 24 hours. Guess what the timneh did for the next 4 days?

[StellaBlue]

BTW,

Originally Posted by greyburd

She has this high pitched thing that she's been doing lately. She usually does it when I walk out of the room. I guess she's using it as an attention getter. So, I just choose to ignore it.

This is a factory-installed grey noise. I believe it is used to "call" to other flock members who are out of sight to be sure they are safe from predators. Spencer is treating you as part of her flock and looking out for your well-being. Just say "Thanks, I'm right here." You might even be able to train her to ask "Where are you?" by responding with that when she makes the call noise.

Someone posted a link to a .wav file of wild grey noises a while back - if you located it and listen to it, you can hear some of the natural sounds these guys make. The high-pitched noise is definately one of the "original equipment" set.