How does noise increase with additinal birds?

[Michael]

On the most basic level it would seem that noise levels would double with doubling the number of birds (1->2, 2->4, etc). However, if we measure noise not only as a function of amplitude but also as a function of time (how much of the day is occupied by bird noise vs. how much quiet time you can get) then we might realize that things are more complex.

I could see things going two ways and would like to hear from people of their experience with this. I am sure this depends on parrot type and species too.

On the most basic level it would seem that an increase in birds would reduce the amount of quiet time. If 1 bird makes 2 hours of noise per day, then 2 birds make 4 hours. To make things worse, I can picture that adding another bird could rouse up the other birds to be noisy more of the time. Let's say going from 2 birds to 3 birds. When the first bird decides to get noisy, 2 and 3 join in. Then after things quiet down, bird 2 gets noisy and 1 and 3 join in, etc.

On the other hand I could see the flip side being possible too. All the birds get their noisiness out all at the same time and get it over with and then all quiet together. In that case you might have to deal with a great volume for the same duration as with a single bird and then get peace and quiet the rest of the day.

So how is it in reality and I wonder if it's a different pattern for different species.

[Natacha]

I don't think there is really a way to quantify how much more noise an added birds makes...it is so relevant on the bird itself and it's impact on the others.

Take my mom's lovebirds for example. On their own they aren't too bad. You bring Piper in the mix and they go insane...by the way, it's not Piper who physically brings more noise and she doesn't do that much, but her presence makes my mom's lovebirds more vocal.

I wouldn't say that adding any Poi to my flock had doubled or tripled or quadrupled the noise level; Shade is still as quiet as she was, the most noise she usually makes is laughing or mumbling. Joey mumbles a lot as well, but it's not high pitch and can sometimes go unnoticed (unless it's quite silent and he starts to mumble). Zuri and Petey tend to be a bit more noisier than the others. Not sure it's a Meyer's thing as much as it might just be in their personality.

They have their moments where they'll make noise and it's usually together; it doesn't get too loud either and then there are long periods of silence....like now, they are all out and I'm not hearing much out of them.

[ColleenM]

A big vote on “Yes” from my household… More birds results in more noise… Sometimes, when one starts they all join in…It crosses species too… The macaws can start up w/ the cockatoos joining in…Other times, it will just be the cockatoos in a head banging yell fest… And then there are the times when one will just speak his mind by himself. But being a parrot lover, it's all worth the extra noise....

I personally am a believer in noise control. I let the birds be noisy for a bit but I don’t let them be noisy every time they choose. Especially if it’s late at night.. A few times of squirting with the water bottle has them trained that if I point it at them, they’ll shush. It hasn’t had an adverse effect on their shower times. Switch the water bottle to mist, show them it’s on mist with a few sprays & they run over to get a bath.

Wonder what 3 hyacinths sound like???

or cockatoos??

[Michael]

Wow. That's good to know. Those aren't your hyacinths are they? How come they flap every time they scream?

PS You made a small mistake embedding youtube videos so I fixed it for you this time. Just for next time remember to delete the "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=" part out of the URL and just leave the identifier. Thanks.

[MandyG]

Suddenly my amazon seems VERY quiet!

I can see how more birds could equal more noise. Mojo is usually not too loud on his own. But when there's a football game going and my friends are yelling or if I'm talking loudly and excitedly he'll join in and become quite loud and excited himself! He seems to have a lot of fun joining in with the noise!

[ColleenM]

I don't know why the hyacinths flap their wings when calling out. Two of the hyacinths are my best friend's birds. I've known them about 13 years & see them almost daily.. I love them like my own. The third hyacinth (Indigo) belongs to the wrestling coach of the local university (Michigan State Univ) & is a sister to one of my friend's hyacinths. He frequently birdsits her.

My birds get excited while I watch sports too... Jazz (Jasmine) has learned to yell "alright!".

[Rebellious]

I started out with my Senegal. All was well except for the morning/evening screaming.
Then I added another Sennie. Yes, they seem to compete with each other in trying to be the noisiest.
After that (like a maniac) I brought home a Sulfur Crested Cockatoo. And even though I love her to death, whenever she screams, it sounds like someone is being sliced with a machete. Seriously.

[Pajarita]

It depends on the set-up, the amount of birds and whether the birds have bonded with another one, live in flock or not.

I have African Greys, cockatoos, amazons, senegals, tiels, budgies, conures and a Jardine all together in the birdroom and you hardly hear a peep come out during the day. They never really scream, they do flock calls early in the am and in the evening but just for a few minutes. Birds that don't live in cages, are not sexually frustrated, have good light and have the company of other birds 24/7/365 don't scream.

The hys were not 'calling', they were displaying, that's why they were flapping their wings.

[Dave & Karen]

We also have 11 birds in the same room and their noise is for the most part concentrated to just certain times of the day like in the morning, at feeding times, and in the evening with a few outbursts in between. Those outbrusts are usually a result of letting them out of their cages like they're saying "I'm next!!" to get our attention. Most of our birds get along just fine but we do have a few jealous ones who need to come out at different times but they don't scream much until they see their buddies being let out, then as their excitement level raises, so does the volume.
Our parrotlet and our cockatiel both tend to raise their wings when yelling to express themselves the same way too... some birds do it and others don't, just like some people move their hands a lot when they talk and others don't. It is quite humerous to watch the cockatiel whistling a tune while expressing himself by raising and spreading his wings as he sings, or to see the parrotlet lift his wings when he screams as loud as he can... Then our amazon uses her tail to express herself by flaring her tail feathers out wide when she's talking and she gets really excited, but they all have their own postures or gestures they do.

[Raque]

I am a novice and just got my first parrot so am probably not the best to answer this, but I do notice that my parrot tends to make a lot of noise when I do. It could be the vacuum, or blender, or loud music, or a sports game; if I make noise then so does she.

I can only imagine that this trend amplifies with a bunch of parrot pets. When one gets loud, they all might follow.