If I move into condo will neighbors complain about my birds?

Tropical

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Two Cockatiels: Rascal (Geraldine) and his baby brother named Coconut!
I currently live in a house but might have to move into a condo which I plan to be buying in a few months which I'll be living in for the next couple of yrs.

I'm concerned because Coconut tends to scream. Rascal does not (he is quiet as a mouse!).

Do you think this will be a problem with neighbors right next to me hearing birds screaming through the walls or can they not hear it?
 

texsize

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The only thing I can say on this subject is that not all cockatiels screams are at the same noise level.
Most of my cockatiels if/when they scream it's not that bad but one of them is an exception.
My male whiteface cheeky when he screams it's half again as loud as the other birds.
Also they are at there noisiest morning and evening, as long as your Nabors don't work graveyard it might be ok.
texsize
 

Teknogeddon

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I'm bringing a Hahns Macaw into an apartment. I've done extensive research on sound reduction.

Have a link.

Put the birds in the furthest room from a shared wall, surround the room with as much fluffy, soft furniture. Seems simple, but it reduces sound carrying. If you have the funds, invest in thick cloth wall coverings (Felt, rugs, or tapestries) or sound panels.

If you need it, get a fluffy blanket, toss it over the door to their room and close the door with the blanket over it. It creates a sound barrier and closes the room off. It's not 100% but it works.

Other options include Acrylic Cages which absorb a lot of the sound are actually quite attractive looking.

I imagine that you're cockatiel will not make half the sound of my Hahns when I bring her, but I'm nothing if I'm not prepared.

It really depends on your neighbors! Some in my neighborhood are awful and some are understanding. I've spoken to mine and explained the fact that the bird will scream twice a day, but I'd do my best to train her not to scream through the day. I've tested out the sound reduction of my apartment by cranking up youtube videos of birds screaming to a very high volume and walking around the apartment, outside, and so on.

Just be sure to really CHECK that before you commit to any building. Newer buildings like mine tend to have better sound reductions, thicker walls, better windows, and so on. Just explain to the person showing the apartment that you have a couple birds, they don't normally scream, but they do make noise.

I don't suspect you'll have a lot of problems with a cockatiel or two, whereas I have to worry. Someone in my neighborhood is rehoming their 5 year old cockatoo due to the noise and I almost had a panic attack.
 

MikeyTN

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It really depends how well the condo was built. In our previous home we were in a town house, we had a Cockatoo and a Macaw, our neighbor never complained. To me, Cockatiels' noise isn't that loud compared to our big birds, highly doubt anyone would hear next door. The places you tend to have issues with noise is apartments.
 

Taw5106

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I lived in an apartment with my cockatiel and never had complaints. I have 3 parrots now, an Amazon, African gray and an eclectus, we rent a house. I won't try to move into an apartment or condo because all three are very noisy. Out morning alarm is Buzz, the gray. As soon as there is light outside, he starts happily and loudly singing and whistling. They'd get complaints, lol.


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Kiwibird

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We are very fortunate that Kiwi responded to training to not screech when we were still living in a detached unit and only vocalizes louder than 'conversation level' noise for brief periods of time, usually when we leave. We've had neighbors with dogs who bark when they leave/come home so Kiwi is not any louder or more disruptive and we've never had any issues with neighbors. We've had him in a detached studio apartment, one bedrooms and now a condo. Our neighbors have always loved him.

If Coconut is the one in the harness, it might not be a bad idea to let the neighbors meet him while you have him out and about. Even though I don't really care to meet neighbors that much, I've found letting them meet Kiwi has always been a positive thing. In fact, when we were moving in here some guy spotted me brining him inside in his backpack and came over. Even though I had boxes to move, I stopped for a moment to chat and introduce him to the new neighbor who thought it was the funniest thing ever to see a parrot in a backpack and now he waves at me and asks where my bird is if I don't have him with me:rolleyes:. Unless Kiwi became a genuine nuisance, I know that guy will never complain about the rouge loud squawk from the peanut gallery;) Most people are curious about parrots, and if you introduce them and chat a bit, they'll be a little more forgiving of the occasional noise because they have made a positive association with the bird. That said, some individual birds are simply too loud for multi family housing situations. I'd say if you can hear Coconut outside with all the windows closed and he vocalizes for more than a couple minutes at a time, he's probably too loud for a apartment/condo situation.

Also (since we just bought a condo) be sure you know their pet policy beforehand. Our HOA has a very strict pet policy. One pet per unit, must be pre-approved by the board of directors, they needed verification from the vet that the pet has no communicable diseases and if the pet is loud or disruptive, they can give you 30 days to get rid of the pet or move even though you own the unit. Our relator actually put in our offer to the sellers that it was all pending HOA approval of Kiwi so we could back out if they wouldn't allow him. If you pursue the condo option, I'd be sure to have a clause like that in your offer to be safe so you don't get stuck if the HOA rejects you having them.
 

Kentuckienne

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Read the bylaws carefully. There may be a clause about noise, and by purchasing the condo you are agreeing to abide by the laws. The rules may say that you would have to get rid of noise sources if they are considered a nuisance by others. Doesn't matter what the seller tells you, doesn't matter if the current neighbors are OK. Condos change hands all the time and a new owner might object and go to the bylaws for legal support.
 
OP
Tropical

Tropical

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It's Rascal in the flightsuit, not Coconut. Coconut has never worn a flightsuit before.

This is a huge shame because Rascal is quiet as a mouse all day long but Coconut is OUT OF CONTROL so it's him I'm worried about. Everything was fine for fews day and now he's back at it again... I cannot even be on the phone. I have to go into my garage and lock myself in the car in order to make a phone call. It is horrible and Rascal is bothered by it too! He's annoyed by 'Nut's behavior. It's sooo pleasant and wonderful when Coconut sings... wish he would do that all day instead of his screaming fits!

It went from a very pleasant experience having birds to a stressful ordeal of constant aggravation.

I just HOPE things will eventually improve and 'Nut snaps out of this!!! ... because I have to sell my house and buy a much cheaper condo to live in for the next couple yrs while I invest the money from the profits to get back on my feet financially. I don't need a 3 bed 2 bath house (I live alone by choice, ALWAYS will!)... so I must move into one bedroom condo... guess I will see if I can take a whistle with me while I check out condos... blow on it and see if the person next door can hear it!?

LOL... I mean that would be one way to test out how thick the walls are... :) ... but that'll only work if the condo next door is vacant...
 
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Kiwibird

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It's Rascal in the flightsuit, not Coconut. Coconut has never worn a flightsuit before.

This is a huge shame because Rascal is quiet as a mouse all day long but Coconut is OUT OF CONTROL so it's him I'm worried about. Everything was fine for fews day and now he's back at it again... I cannot even be on the phone. I have to go into my garage and lock myself in the car in order to make a phone call. It is horrible and Rascal is bothered by it too! He's annoyed by 'Nut's behavior. It's sooo pleasant and wonderful when Coconut sings... wish he would do that all day instead of his screaming fits!

It went from a very pleasant experience having birds to a stressful ordeal of constant aggravation.

I just HOPE things will eventually improve and 'Nut snaps out of this!!! ... because I have to sell my house and buy a much cheaper condo to live in for the next couple yrs while I invest the money from the profits to get back on my feet financially. I don't need a 3 bed 2 bath house (I live alone by choice, ALWAYS will!)... so I must move into one bedroom condo... guess I will see if I can take a whistle with me while I check out condos... blow on it and see if the person next door can hear it!?

LOL... I mean that would be one way to test out how thick the walls are... :) ... but that'll only work if the condo next door is vacant...

Tell your relator what the situation with the birds is. They may have some ideas. Being a single resident home and presumably no kids in the immediate plans, have you ever considered one of those tiny houses? Or what about a floating home (those are pretty neat and inexpensive!). That may be a better solution than a small condo for someone in your situation. I know if I were single, I would have very strongly considered one of those options to not have to have bought a condo.
 
OP
Tropical

Tropical

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Two Cockatiels: Rascal (Geraldine) and his baby brother named Coconut!
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  • Thread starter
  • #10
It's Rascal in the flightsuit, not Coconut. Coconut has never worn a flightsuit before.

This is a huge shame because Rascal is quiet as a mouse all day long but Coconut is OUT OF CONTROL so it's him I'm worried about. Everything was fine for fews day and now he's back at it again... I cannot even be on the phone. I have to go into my garage and lock myself in the car in order to make a phone call. It is horrible and Rascal is bothered by it too! He's annoyed by 'Nut's behavior. It's sooo pleasant and wonderful when Coconut sings... wish he would do that all day instead of his screaming fits!

It went from a very pleasant experience having birds to a stressful ordeal of constant aggravation.

I just HOPE things will eventually improve and 'Nut snaps out of this!!! ... because I have to sell my house and buy a much cheaper condo to live in for the next couple yrs while I invest the money from the profits to get back on my feet financially. I don't need a 3 bed 2 bath house (I live alone by choice, ALWAYS will!)... so I must move into one bedroom condo... guess I will see if I can take a whistle with me while I check out condos... blow on it and see if the person next door can hear it!?

LOL... I mean that would be one way to test out how thick the walls are... :) ... but that'll only work if the condo next door is vacant...

Tell your relator what the situation with the birds is. They may have some ideas. Being a single resident home and presumably no kids in the immediate plans, have you ever considered one of those tiny houses? Or what about a floating home (those are pretty neat and inexpensive!). That may be a better solution than a small condo for someone in your situation. I know if I were single, I would have very strongly considered one of those options to not have to have bought a condo.

I will never have kids... noway. It's not for me. Almost 40 yrs old and have NO desire to have kids have always known it's not for me :) My birds are my kids and that's plenty for me haha

Those floating homes do indeed look pretty cool :D

I'm hoping to get a fixer upper one bedroom condo as I can renovate it at a much cheaper cost than a house (since it's so much smaller) and hopefully it will appreciate in value in the future even if just a little bit... but those floating homes are interesting and I do need the cheapest possible place to live for the next couple of years. Thanks for mentioning I would have never even thought of that! I'd be into checking them out :)
 

Kiwibird

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I will never have kids... noway. It's not for me. Almost 40 yrs old and have NO desire to have kids have always known it's not for me :) My birds are my kids and that's plenty for me haha

Those floating homes do indeed look pretty cool :D

I'm hoping to get a fixer upper one bedroom condo as I can renovate it at a much cheaper cost than a house (since it's so much smaller) and hopefully it will appreciate in value in the future even if just a little bit... but those floating homes are interesting and I do need the cheapest possible place to live for the next couple of years. Thanks for mentioning I would have never even thought of that! I'd be into checking them out :)

Our realtor actually suggested a floating home for us. We had never heard of them before she sent over some listings for them. Not a good choice for us with our plans in life, but they did look pretty cool and were spaced far enough away from neighbors bird noise would certainly not be of concern. Could potentially be a great option for someone in your situation!
 
OP
Tropical

Tropical

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Two Cockatiels: Rascal (Geraldine) and his baby brother named Coconut!
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I will never have kids... noway. It's not for me. Almost 40 yrs old and have NO desire to have kids have always known it's not for me :) My birds are my kids and that's plenty for me haha

Those floating homes do indeed look pretty cool :D

I'm hoping to get a fixer upper one bedroom condo as I can renovate it at a much cheaper cost than a house (since it's so much smaller) and hopefully it will appreciate in value in the future even if just a little bit... but those floating homes are interesting and I do need the cheapest possible place to live for the next couple of years. Thanks for mentioning I would have never even thought of that! I'd be into checking them out :)

Our realtor actually suggested a floating home for us. We had never heard of them before she sent over some listings for them. Not a good choice for us with our plans in life, but they did look pretty cool and were spaced far enough away from neighbors bird noise would certainly not be of concern. Could potentially be a great option for someone in your situation!


Interesting... thanks for the idea :)

I will mention it to my realtor and perhaps go look at some :D I'm also a minimalist... have VERY little belongings. I could pack everything I own into a couple of suitcases hehe
 
OP
Tropical

Tropical

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I just asked someone and they said there are no floating houses around here where I live. I'm in Palm Beach, Florida.... but I'll ask a realtor just incase.
 

Dopey

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It depends on the neighbor and the way the apartments are built. I don't hear my neighbor's dog unless I am out side of my apartment. I don't hear my neighbors above me...not even walking. They can hear my birds (macaws) but they don't bother the neighbors. In my case, I really worried for nothing.

Now, I could really do that floating home. But I've only seen them on the west coast.
 

GaleriaGila

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Every real estate transaction we've made over the last 30 years has been parrot-driven, yeah. Now that we're looking to down-size from ranch house to condo, we're preoccupied with those very dynamics, Tekkie, my friend.
 
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Tropical

Tropical

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Aren't they usually a lot more concerned with dogs and cats than birds though?

Or I guess a pet is a pet and birds are no exception?
 

GaleriaGila

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YESSSSSSSSSSSS, Tropical... renters ARE more worried about dogs and cats... because often, they have no idea about the complications (noise, etc.)!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

texsize

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Isn't there a owners association involved with a condo ? The rules for pet's of any kind should be spelled out very clearly.
texsize
 

AmyMyBlueFront

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And a Normal Grey Cockatiel named BB who came home with me on 5/20/2016.
Juliet..personally.I doubt you'd have any problem with Rascal and 'Nut.
BB doesn't scream ( Thank GOD!) But when Smokey was alive,even though she didn't scream,when she was vocal,at times she was LOUD! I have a house,with a small yard ( 1/4 acre) and when she started to "Woo" I could hear her half way down the street!
But coz my neighborhood has dogs,no one said anything lol.

I doubt very much that Coconuts screaming would be bothersome. Does he do this ALOT???


Jim
 
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Tropical

Tropical

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Juliet..personally.I doubt you'd have any problem with Rascal and 'Nut.
BB doesn't scream ( Thank GOD!) But when Smokey was alive,even though she didn't scream,when she was vocal,at times she was LOUD! I have a house,with a small yard ( 1/4 acre) and when she started to "Woo" I could hear her half way down the street!
But coz my neighborhood has dogs,no one said anything lol.

I doubt very much that Coconuts screaming would be bothersome. Does he do this ALOT???


Jim


It's not constant thank goodness but it does happen quite often. 'Nut is a young immature baby so I'm hoping as he grows up he'll snap out of it at least a LITTLE bit. His screaming isn't flock calls... it's screaming for attention and now out of bad habit... does it right into my ear when he's sitting on my shoulder... ouch! :34: I play with him a LOT and he has tons of toys... but the screaming has become a habit.. something he just now does". Yikes. I never had this issue before.... I understand flock calls which they do of course if they think I'm leaving the house... but never had this prob before I'm having with 'Nut. I hope he eventually sings more than screams... singing habit is awesome... screaming habit.. NO!
 
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