Sutiable parrots for apartment living

[RavensGryf]

Wow, look at all of us who have lived with loud birds in an apartment! One time when my loudest bird was an Eclectus, it was no problem. I have heard about countless others who rent and have loud birds. In my experience, it is RARE to get a noise complaint because of a bird.

I agree with everyone who commented about budgies. They are extremely noisy, and surprisingly loud for their size.

 

[aether-drifter]

My friend has six cockatoos and a macaw, and rents. She just moved into a house but was in an apartment for years prior. A different friend has two Amazons, a macaw, a cockatoo and three tiels -- in an apartment. It may not be easy to find accepting landlords, but it's definitely possible.

 

[RavensGryf]

In my experience (and I've rented at many different places in my life), I find that many management companies readily accept birds, in fact they won't even ask questions. They are much more concerned about what kind or size of dog you have if they allow pets. In fact, I've NEVER been turned away for having birds, even in NO pets communities! Management companies don't consider birds or reptiles as "pets". I've also never had to pay pet rent, where as for dogs and cats it is always required.
I don't know about private landlords though. I imagine it depends on the individual.

 

[noblemacaw]

I really appreciate everyone's replies and stories of their experiences. I do worry that Valentino will be too loud for a apartment so I am working with him now with the screaming issue. I also have time to get this done right so I will be trying to get a place that is a town home or something that is not a apartment set up.

I feel better today than I did yesterday. I try to remain as positive as I can because it is going to take a lot of work to pull all this off.

 

[Jayyj]

It occurs to me as well, we tend to draw up arbitrary boundaries with apartments being always noisy and problematic and houses always quiet and isolated, but really not all apartments are equal. My current apartment is far, far quieter than the terraced house I moved here from as far as neighbours are concerned. Look for places where there are rooms that don't share walls with neighbour's properties, apartments situated at ground or top level - so one less set of adjoining neighbours to worry about, apartments over retail premises which are empty in the evenings, whether the windows are double or triple glazed etc. When you meet with letting agents, ask about noise and if the tenants ever have issues with tvs etc.

if you can plot out some ideas on what would work better from a noise pollution point of view, and work on Valentino to iron out the most excessive aspects of his screaming, you might find this is going to end up being a lot less disastrous than you think.

 

[Betrisher]

I agree that Galahs are probably quite fine for apartment situations, but they do need their space. If it were me, I'd go for a pair of Lovies! The sound they make is not loud but is delightful, especially when they're excited and happy to see you. They play incessantly and have you in stitches every time you look at them. They're highly intelligent and can be trick trained. They're small and easy to handle. They poop small and dry too! Their food requirements are easily met and above all, they're utterly gorgeous! Like little jewels!

I agree with you, though, Rebecca. You mustn't think of rehoming Valentino - you must work toward a solution for the both of you. Sending prayers that it all turns out OK. ((((Rebecca and Valentino))))

 

[Joshuwaaa]

Not sure if this helps, I haven't had chance to read the entire thread but I too live in an apartment, we have bought it so we cant really get evicted but we could get some nasty complaints haha.

I have lived here happily with my current two, a Quaker and Indian ringneck.
And Holli my b&g macaw did stay but her calls were too much, although not often they were enough for people to speak up.
Loki my eclectus was completely fine! he was big and even his calls weren't enough to warrant any problems.
My Cricket was especially loud for a GCC, so I guess you could say it depends on the bird.

If I were you I would work up gradually to test the threshold with your neighbours, take a smaller bird like a quaker who can be noisy but not exceedingly loud and if you get no complaints think about moving in your macaw?

I obviously wouldnt suggest getting too many parrots you cant handle in doing this, but working up may be a good idea. You're obviously good with birds

Good luck, hope this somewhat helps.

 

[Kiwibird]

I really appreciate everyone's replies and stories of their experiences. I do worry that Valentino will be too loud for a apartment so I am working with him now with the screaming issue. I also have time to get this done right so I will be trying to get a place that is a town home or something that is not a apartment set up.

I feel better today than I did yesterday. I try to remain as positive as I can because it is going to take a lot of work to pull all this off.

I'm confident you and Valentino won't have any major problems. He is still a very young bird, and it sounds like, one who's always been loved and formed a good bond with you. I bet he's going to be a fast learner. He just needs to know his new boundaries in a new place and you'll just have to keep a little closer eye on him when he's out.

Have you ever used a t-perch (or perhaps with a bird his size, a smaller rolling stand)? That way he can easily come room to room with you instead of lugging a huge play gym/cage around or allowing him to "run free"? Kiwi really enjoys being with me on his t perch when I'm cleaning or prepping food to cook (not when I'm actually cooking of course) or with my husband is on the computer and working out and he eats at the table with us every night on his perch. It gives him a "place to be" that's "with the flock" where he's not able to rip up woodwork or get into trouble (and you don't have to keep quite as close of an eye on him). It's one of the best things we ever made for Kiwi because it allows him to be with us anywhere in the apartment up on a perch and out of trouble. They're really easy and cheap (like under $20 cheap) to make. I am not familiar with how long Valentino's species tails are, but if you can find a wood dowel longer than his tail, just buy a large square of scrap lumber and a second dowel (cut down to not overlap the scrap of lumber). Then screw the shortened dowel onto the long dowel to make a 'T" and then screw that into the scrap lumber base. Run a small amount of non-toxic elmers glue where the screws attach so it won't spin, and you've got a portable perch. Easy to make, and easy to replace if/when it gets chewed up. I didn't have a better pic, but the little one with the blue bottom on the right is Kiwi's t-perch (we used a big chip & dip tray for the base to catch his mess lol, but I think you would need something bigger as a base for a macaw-

 

[Birdman666]

The other easy solution is a bird boing hung on a hanger, that can be easily moved from room to room, with just a little plastic thing like you put under a desk chair, to catch poop.

 

[jenphilly]

Noble -

Knowing the size you are dealing with, if you think about making any type of rolling perch, I have a great source for wild, untreated birch wood. Birch is parrot safe, just remove the majority of bark to be extra safe. We just ordered a bunch to make a play area specific for Folger (with his issues, can't be too high), and the cost of buying one outright was crazy. I gave this guy specifics for length and sizes, how many pieces for perches in certain thickness and length. He shipped me two boxes including the main center pole that is over 3" diameter and 40" long and I am not sure how many pieces (least 20) from 8" to 2', all total with shipping was $75.

Hopefully my husband will have time to get it all together over the next two weekends. We will definitely post pics when its all said and done!

And birdman's suggestion of boings is actually a big hit with us, we have a couple of them, even if you don't move them and just have a few spread around. Easy and since they are off the floor, you don't have to step around or lose any floorspace!