If you live in an apartment and want to buy a bird, there will definitely be some options that are better than others. 

The more you learn about these birds, the easier it will be to make the best possible decision. You don’t want to choose just any bird if you live in an apartment, as many of them can be noisy.

Best Birds For Apartment Living

1. Budgies

green budgie white background

The Budgerigar or ‘Budgie’ is a cute medium-sized bird that ranges from 6 to 8 inches and 1 ounce in size. These birds can either be white-based (gray, white and sky blue), or yellow-based (light green, grey, olive green, and yellow).

These birds tend to be fairly quiet, though they do have a silly personality. You will need to spend at least a little bit of time with your budgie outside of its cage each day. It’s also important to provide them with a decent-sized enclosure that is large enough to fly around in.

2. Canary

red canary flying

Canaries are fairly small birds with an average length around 5 to 6 inches and 0.5 to 1 ounces. They tend to be extremely quiet and do not emit any loud vocalizations. This is why they are so popular with those who live in apartments.

If you get one of these birds, you’ll want to feed it a combination of high-quality seeds, pellets, fruits and vegetables. They have brilliant yellow feathers with some orange and white. This is an excellent bird for those who have no avian pet experience. They aren’t extremely high maintenance like so many other pet birds.

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3. Pionus Parrots

pionus parrot on a stick

Pionus Parrots are also quiet birds that are very calm and great for those who have a family. They don’t usually mind being held and thrive on direct interaction with their human owners. These birds do well with children but aren’t particularly cuddly.

Some of these birds can live over 40 years, which means that buying one is a pretty bit commitment. You won’t have to worry about this bird biting or snapping at you, as it has a very pleasant overall demeanor most of the time. You’ll just have to make a point of teaching your children how to properly handle it.

4. The Cockatiel

yellow cockatiel white background

Cockatiels are pretty large birds that can grow up to 13 inches but only have a maximum weight of three ounces. These birds are usually pretty quiet, but they can be taught to whistle, which is pretty amusing. They are also incredibly adaptable and can be kept around most other birds without any issues.

The yellow crest, red cheeks and white belly of these birds make them very beautiful. They aren’t as high maintenance as some other species, but you need to interact with them daily. The calls and sounds that this bird emits usually don’t get loud enough to where you’ll get any complaints from annoyed neighbors.

5. Parrotlet

happy cute parrotlet green

Parrotlets are small birds that grow up to 5 inches and one ounce at the most. Their soft chirping sounds are actually quite pleasant. They enjoy flying around and are very high energy, which means that you need to get a fairly large cage for them. It is very important to keep lots of toys, ladders and other things in their cage so they get adequate stimulation on a daily basis.

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6. Meyer’s Parrot

meyers parrot on a stick in the zoo

The Meyer’s parrot has a tendency to imitate sounds that it hears on a daily basis, but it isn’t very loud. These dark-colored birds are often overlooked, but the make great pets. They love to climb around on things and are very playful.

If you are going to get one of these parrots, you’ll have to set aside a good amount of time to spend with it each day. These birds should be fed a high quality seed/pellet mix as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. This is the best way to ensure that your parrot lives as long as possible. 

The Meyer’s Parrot has an average lifespan of 25 to 30 years. You will therefore need to make sure that you are ready for such a long term commitment prior to making a final decision.

7. Bourke’s Parakeet

cute burkes parakeet in a wild

The Bourke’s Parakeet is yet another quiet bird with a very friendly disposition. It isn’t quite as active as some other species, making it fairly easy to care for. It features a unique combination of bright and dark colors for a very interesting overall appearance.

This parakeet grows up to 9 inches and 2 ounces, making it a medium-sized bird. It can be kept with other birds that have a mellow personality, such as finches.

8. Senegal Parrot

senegal parrot in a wild

If you want to get a quiet parrot that won’t disturb your apartment neighbors, a Senegal Parrot is an outstanding overall choice. It quickly and easily forms a deep bond with the person who takes care of and interacts with it the most.

These birds can grow up to 10 inches and 5 ounces, and they need a good amount of exercise on a daily basis. You will need to make a point of spending a good amount of time with them outside of their enclosure. This will help to ensure that they stay mentally and physically healthy.

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Conclusion

  • Budgies are great birds that don’t make much noise but need quite a bit of direct interaction on a daily basis.
  • Canaries are not high maintenance birds, and their vocalizations are usually not very loud at all.
  • Pionus Parrots have a naturally calm disposition and tend not to make much noise.
  • The Cockatiel is another great quiet bird that is friendly and can be kept with other birds that have a similar demeanor.
  • The soft chirping sounds of the Parrotlet are nice to wake up to each day, and they are very loyal birds.
  • The Meyer’s Parrot can live up to 30 years and makes a great long term companion for apartment dwellers, as it isn’t noisy at all.
  • The Bourke’s Parakeet is a medium-sized bird that is very easy to care for, but regular interaction and handling is necessary.
  • The Senegal Parrot quickly forms a deep bond with its owner, and it doesn’t make a whole lot of noise.
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Hi! I'm Anna and I´m a certified cynologist (KAU, ACW). Expert, blue cross volunteer, owner of Chinese crested kennel "Salvador Dali" and breedless friend called Fenya. "I can't imagine my life without dogs and I totally support the idea #AdoptDontShop".