8 Best Birds for Apartment Living

By
Alyson Kalhagen
Alyson Kalhagen
Alyson Kalhagen is an avian expert and writer with more than 10 years of combined professional experience as a veterinary technician and manager of a chain of successful pet stores. Her specialty is in avian behavior and socialization. Alyson owns several birds and has been featured in Bird Talk Magazine.
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Updated on 06/02/20
pacific parrotlet

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If there is one trait birds are known for besides flight, it's the sound of their voices. While a bird's call may be music to its caretaker's ears, not everyone will find it to be so pleasant. So if you live in close proximity to your neighbors, consider a quiet bird species that does well in small spaces. These birds are relatively petite and easygoing, especially compared to their larger bird cousins. Here are eight bird species suitable for apartment living.

Tip

Just because a bird tends to be quiet, that doesn't necessarily mean it's low-maintenance. It still needs plenty of daily mental and physical stimulation.

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  • 01 of 08

    Budgerigar

    blue budgie in a cage

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    If you have your heart set on a hookbill, consider a budgie (or parakeet). These small birds tend to chatter throughout the day, but they usually aren't loud enough to disturb neighbors. Moreover, while they are relatively active, they don't require the massive enclosures of larger parrots. In addition to daily out-of-cage playtime, outfit your budgie with an enclosure that is longer than it is high for space to hop and fly.

    Species Overview

    Length: 6 to 8 inches

    Weight: 1 ounce

    Physical Characteristics: Green abdomen; black and yellow back; yellow head; dark blue tail; mutations include blue, yellow, white, and gray

  • 02 of 08

    Canary

    yellow canary on a perch

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    The small size of canaries makes them ideal companions for apartment dwellers, though they generally don't appreciate being handled. While they are fairly vocal, their tiny voices go virtually unnoticed by those who aren't near them. In spite of their size, canaries can make a mighty mess. Seed, vegetable bits, and pellets tend to scatter when these birds reside in your home.

    Species Overview

    Length: 5 to 8 inches

    Weight: 0.5 to 1 ounce

    Physical Characteristics: Feathers of bright yellow (most common), red, orange, or white; some varieties have head crests or frilly feathers

  • 03 of 08

    Finch

    zebra finch on a branch
    Raj Kamal/Stockbyte/Getty Images

    Like canaries, finches are generally hands-off pets due to their fragile size and skittish nature. In addition, while they frequently vocalize throughout the day, their tiny voices do not carry as easily as those of a larger bird. Finches do well when kept in small groups, and they require as large of an enclosure as possible, as that typically is their sole space for exercise.

    Species Overview

    Length: 4 inches

    Weight: 0.5 ounce

    Physical Characteristics: Black and white throat bars, orange cheek patches, and red-orange beak (male zebra finch); gray coloration throughout the body and less vivid beak (female zebra finch)

  • 04 of 08

    Cockatiel

    white cockatiel outside a cage with a gray cockatiel inside

    Brenda Hughes/EyeEm/Getty Images

    Although cockatiels take up a little more room than some smaller species, their calls and chirps rarely reach levels that bother neighbors. Cockatiels have a lot of personality, and their ability to learn to whistle is amazing. These birds can easily adapt to most living situations, and they tend to do well with other birds. 

    Species Overview

    Length: 12 to 13 inches

    Weight: 3 ounces

    Physical Characteristics: Gray body; yellow face and crest; orange cheeks; long tail; mutations include albino, lutino, pied, and cinnamon

    Continue to 5 of 8 below.
  • 05 of 08

    Parrotlet

    blue Pacific parrotlet

    Ploychan/Getty Images 

    Tiny parrotlets lack the ability to screech like many other parrots. Their soft chirps are hardly enough to disturb even the pickiest neighbors. Active and playful, these birds can swing, hop, and fly all day with the energy of a toddler. Yet they don't require the space of a larger species to get their exercise.

    Species Overview

    Length: 4 to 5 inches

    Weight: 1 ounce

    Physical Characteristics: Green head and body; blue on back and behind eyes; mutations include blue, yellow, and white

  • 06 of 08

    Pionus Parrot

    Pionus Parrot and Egg
    sbossert / Getty Images

    If you want a larger bird, members of the pionus family, such as the blue-headed pionus or bronze-winged pionus, are known for their quiet nature. These birds tend to be easygoing and gentle, and they don’t have a propensity for biting. But they do need a large enclosure to accommodate their size, as well as space for out-of-cage playtime.

    Species Overview

    Length: 11 inches

    Weight: 8 to 9 ounces

    Physical Characteristics: Blue head and neck; green body; black patches over ears; red on underside of tail; black beak with red sides

  • 07 of 08

    Bourke's Parakeet

    Bourke's parakeet on a branch

    Greg5030/Wikimedia Commons/CC By 3.0

     

    Native to Australia, Bourke’s parakeets are generally mellow, quiet birds. They’re only moderately active, but they prefer a roomy space in which they can fly for at least a few hours a day. These birds often bond closely with their caretakers and do well with other peaceful birds, such as finches.

    Species Overview

    Length: 7 to 9 inches

    Weight: 2 ounces

    Physical Characteristics: Brown-tinted plumage; pink abdomen; blue rump; yellowish-brown beak; males have blue crowns while females have white

  • 08 of 08

    Senegal Parrot

    Senegal parrot on a branch
    Jurgen & Christine Sohns/Getty Images

    Many parrots can be rather noisy and demanding, but Senegal parrots tend to be calm and quiet. These birds often bond with just one person and thrive on daily interaction with their families. They only require a medium-sized enclosure but should have as much out-of-cage time as possible for exercise and enrichment.

    Species Overview

    Length: 10 inches

    Weight: 4 to 5 ounces

    Physical Characteristics: Gray head; green wings and chest; V-shaped patch of a red to yellow color on belly

Birds to Avoid

If you're looking for a quiet bird, avoid species, such as cockatoos and macaws, which are known to be on the louder side. But keep in mind every bird is different. Although some species tend to make less noise, always assess the individual bird you want to bring home before committing.

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