Macaw VS. Umbrella 'Too: Screaming

MustLoveAnimals

MustLoveAnimals

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Aug 14, 2014
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Missouri
Parrots
Female Cinnamon Cockatiel; Arka
~
Female Red Crowned Amazon; Chiba
How would you compare the screaming of a Macaw and an Umbrella Cockatoo?
I have not yet heard a Mac scream at the top of it's lungs, but I have heard a U2.
Am I in for a BIG surprise?
 
Well, it's not high pitched but it's certainly loud. Yes, if you haven't heard one before, you're in for a big surprise.
 
Both are VERY loud, obviously. I find macaw screams more tolerable than cockatoo screams personally. Too's have a very high-pitches shrilly scream that gets to me. That's not to say a macaw on full volume isn't LOUD, it's just a different type of loud. Macaws sound like how you'd expect a parrot to sound, cockatoos sound like banshees:D Have you tried finding videos of a macaw screaming, turning the volume all the way up, then imagining it about 100X louder, which it would be in real life:)

Edit: Are you planning on getting a macaw or just curious? Noise is a MAJOR consideration with bigger birds, and I would strongly suggest if you're considering a macaw to listen to some really vocal ones in real life to see if it's something you can deal with. We used to visit a bird store where the owners had their personal macaws (a few B&G's, a HY, and a scarlet, if I remember correctly) always there to 'greet' customers. Even the joyful squawks from that 'welcoming committee' were a bit much:) Parrots voices are designed to pierce dose rainforest after all, and in domestic homes and suburban neighborhoods, it's not always a very... welcome personality characteristic:20: The noise of those XL birds is one of the big reasons I would personally not consider owning one. I find the noises my amazon can make MORE than loud enough for me:52:
 
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The difference is that a big mac generally doesn't keep it up for hours at a time. In fact, mine don't usually even last minutes at a time.

In terms of Volume they are about the same. Duration, U2's take it hands down.
 
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Kiwibird said:
Both are VERY loud, obviously. I find macaw screams more tolerable than cockatoo screams personally. Too's have a very high-pitches shrilly scream that gets to me. That's not to say a macaw on full volume isn't LOUD, it's just a different type of loud. Macaws sound like how you'd expect a parrot to sound, cockatoos sound like banshees:D Have you tried finding videos of a macaw screaming, turning the volume all the way up, then imagining it about 100X louder, which it would be in real life:)

Edit: Are you planning on getting a macaw or just curious? Noise is a MAJOR consideration with bigger birds, and I would strongly suggest if you're considering a macaw to listen to some really vocal ones in real life to see if it's something you can deal with. We used to visit a bird store where the owners had their personal macaws (a few B&G's, a HY, and a scarlet, if I remember correctly) always there to 'greet' customers. Even the joyful squawks from that 'welcoming committee' were a bit much:) Parrots voices are designed to pierce dose rainforest after all, and in domestic homes and suburban neighborhoods, it's not always a very... welcome personality characteristic:20: The noise of those XL birds is one of the big reasons I would personally not consider owning one. I find the noises my amazon can make MORE than loud enough for me:52:
Click to expand...
Thanks!
I can understand different types of loud. I remember having a cute little Sun Conure scream right into my ear. :) Talk about high-pitched! ;)
I want to find a good video of screaming macaws. But I'd rather listen to them in person. "Sadly", none of the Macs I've visited have vocalized to their full ability.

Well, I did have one B&G Macaw in mind. But when I went to visit him today, I found out that he was sold the day before. :(
I am very sad, but it cannot be undone.
So now, I'm just waiting around for "my" bird. If that bird is a Macaw, I want to make sure that I'll be able to handle their screaming. And I understand that each bird is different; some scream more than others.
 
Also remember that in a bird store, the room may be a lot larger than even a living room in an average home. In a smaller space a loud noise will sound even louder!!
In a large room in a bird store once, I was standing pretty close to a B&G when it decided to sound off full blast. I swear it blew my hair back :52: and made my ears fill with pressure. It was SO extremely loud. Of course many people deal with it, but I "personally" wouldn't feel comfortable with that type of volume. Like it has been said, I do think cockatoos have more of a reputation for being more vocal (longer period if not also more often). The 'large white Toos' species can be a nails on the chalkboard kind of sound as well as loud.
 
Cockatoos make you want to go jump off a bridge. Macaws make your head vibrate :)
 
MustLoveAnimals said:
I am very sad, but it cannot be undone.
So now, I'm just waiting around for "my" bird. If that bird is a Macaw, I want to make sure that I'll be able to handle their screaming. And I understand that each bird is different; some scream more than others.
Click to expand...

Sounds like that particular bird wasn't meant to be. The right one is still out there:) And if you like the macaw personality but are a bit intimidated by the noise, don't forget about the mini-macaws! There are several species that are available in the pet trade, and the smaller size means smaller vocal chords:)
 
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Birdman666 said:
The difference is that a big mac generally doesn't keep it up for hours at a time. In fact, mine don't usually even last minutes at a time.

In terms of Volume they are about the same. Duration, U2's take it hands down.
Click to expand...
We could handle LOUD noise for several minutes a few times a day. It's honestly the constant screaming I would be concerned with. But I'd also have to hear one. :rolleyes:
 
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RavensGryf said:
Also remember that in a bird store, the room may be a lot larger than even a living room in an average home. In a smaller space a loud noise will sound even louder!!
In a large room in a bird store once, I was standing pretty close to a B&G when it decided to sound off full blast. I swear it blew my hair back :52: and made my ears fill with pressure. It was SO extremely loud. Of course many people deal with it, but I "personally" wouldn't feel comfortable with that type of volume. Like it has been said, I do think cockatoos have more of a reputation for being more vocal (longer period if not also more often). The 'large white Toos' species can be a nails on the chalkboard kind of sound as well as loud.
Click to expand...
Our living room has a very tall ceiling, so maybe that would help....:D
I suppose my goal now, is to hear a Mac scream at the top of it's lungs in person. I'll know then if I can truly deal with it for the rest of my life.
 
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Kiwibird said:
MustLoveAnimals said:
I am very sad, but it cannot be undone.
So now, I'm just waiting around for "my" bird. If that bird is a Macaw, I want to make sure that I'll be able to handle their screaming. And I understand that each bird is different; some scream more than others.
Click to expand...

Sounds like that particular bird wasn't meant to be. The right one is still out there:) And if you like the macaw personality but are a bit intimidated by the noise, don't forget about the mini-macaws! There are several species that are available in the pet trade, and the smaller size means smaller vocal chords:)
Click to expand...
Yes, I know that deep down. And I'm definitely not in a rush. I think that I need to simply stop visiting birds until I actually have the cage and toys set up. :rolleyes: That way I won't fall in love with a bird that I can't bring home. Luckily I'm getting a cage towards the end of this month! :D
 
MustLoveAnimals said:
I suppose my goal now, is to hear a Mac scream at the top of it's lungs in person. I'll know then if I can truly deal with it for the rest of my life.
Click to expand...

Which side of the state are you on? Anywhere near Kansas City? If so, I can put you in touch with at least one lady where you can hear Macaw screaming to your heart's content!
 
Pinkbirdy said:
Cockatoos make you want to go jump off a bridge. Macaws make your head vibrate :)
Click to expand...

I second that. Funny stuff! And yet at the same time, not so funny...

(Just wear a base rig, or a bungee cord, and make sure the bridge is at least 800 ft high before you jump.)
 
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Bartleby said:
MustLoveAnimals said:
I suppose my goal now, is to hear a Mac scream at the top of it's lungs in person. I'll know then if I can truly deal with it for the rest of my life.
Click to expand...

Which side of the state are you on? Anywhere near Kansas City? If so, I can put you in touch with at least one lady where you can hear Macaw screaming to your heart's content!
Click to expand...
In Kansas, the state? I'm about five or six hours away. Lol.
 
MustLoveAnimals said:
In Kansas, the state? I'm about five or six hours away. Lol.
Click to expand...

Um, Kansas City is the largest city in the state of Missouri. However, if you are on the opposite side of the state I guess my connection won't be much help.
 
MustLoveAnimals said:
Birdman666 said:
The difference is that a big mac generally doesn't keep it up for hours at a time. In fact, mine don't usually even last minutes at a time.

In terms of Volume they are about the same. Duration, U2's take it hands down.
Click to expand...
We could handle LOUD noise for several minutes a few times a day. It's honestly the constant screaming I would be concerned with. But I'd also have to hear one. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Macaws that attention scream generally aren't getting enough, or have been trained to scream because their birdslaves come immediately when they are summoned. OR ELSE!
 
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Bartleby said:
MustLoveAnimals said:
In Kansas, the state? I'm about five or six hours away. Lol.
Click to expand...

Um, Kansas City is the largest city in the state of Missouri. However, if you are on the opposite side of the state I guess my connection won't be much help.
Click to expand...
Ahh, I see. :eek:
I'm not extremely far. Your connection could be very helpful! Thanks!
 
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