Controlling noise from an IRN

Lorne96

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Jul 7, 2018
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Hello! So I have been reading into trying to keep the noise down with an Indian ringneck. I am getting one next year! I know they are loud birds when they want to be and that is fine by me, not so much by my boyfriend but I have looked into other parrots and the loudness is the only downfall to this bird (although what birds aren't loud?) Everything else is perfect and I know it will fit into the family wonderfully. I have read into training the bird to learn to be quiet (i posted another thread about training if you can give me any tips on there) and soundproofing the cage and the room the bird is in to reduce noise. I am a bit baffled by soundproofing the cage, i was looking into things called 'moving blankets' and they absorb sound, I was thinking to maybe have one blanket cover the sides and back of the cage and then sound proofing the walls surrounding it and the door to the room. Do any of you think this would help reduce noise? Also, if I had a blackout blanket and I put it over the cage would this stop the bird screaming? In my other post about training I mention this too but I'll write again, while I am in the house I will be training the bird that quiet equals treats (food, pets ect) and if it screams it gets no attention until it's quiet. My boyfriend wants nothing to do with the responsibility of the bird and that's fine as he isn't a animal lover as much as me and he doesn't like looking after pets and it is also the compromise we made to me getting the bird so this is why I am wondering if a blackout blanket would work while I am away? Is there any other options that anyone has used to keep the bird quiet? Any information you can give me on this would really help me out, thank you in advance! :)
 

chris-md

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Feb 6, 2010
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Wrong question! You don’t “teach it to be quiet”. They are noisy animals, period. Deal with it.

The correct statement is you teach them to be screamers. Excessive screaming is a learned behavior, because you come whenever the bird screams - yes it may be to scream at the bird to shut up, but all they learn from that is you come running when they scream, make a bunch of noise, and they feel the need to respond to your noise.

They may also be neglected, Kept in a separate room all day every day because you’re tired of them and can’t take it anymore.

A well adjusted bird who is loved and well cared for is not one you have to worry TOO much about. But again, parrots are noisy animals. You’ll have to accept noise - occasionally very loud - as part and parcel of the parrot owner package.

You can however help replace some screaming with other sounds. Clicker train the bird, then whenever it talks/whistles/makes any other sound you like, reward it. Continue rewarding it, especially if it’s interspersed with screaming, as the bird will learn screaming is ignored but talking gets it attention and treats.
 
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itzjbean

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Jan 27, 2017
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Well stated by chrismd above.. a better question to ask is... 'How can I manage noise from my IRN?

Owning a parrot means constant noise. It doesn't matter the species, finch to macaw they ALL make some noise. We can do things to manage the screaming or length of time they scream for, but it really does depend on WHY they're screaming in the first place. My cockatiel will start singing/calling specifically in the morning and evening. So some noise is totally normal. Is your bird getting played with and does he get a good amount of out-of-cage time each day? Is he in a part of the house where the activity is? There are many things to consider in terms of noise.
 
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Lorne96

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I'm sorry I didn't use the right word, managing is the word I was looking for. Maybe I phrased this all wrong. Like I said, I don't mind noise, if I was single I probably wouldn't be asking this question. But my other half sometimes has a problem with constant noise(he records music also) I was just trying to find out if there was any good ways others have tried to help manage the constant screaming that can happen, especially if I'm not there. (Work for example) and I was asking for advice on whether these methods worked and were okay to do. I am still learning. I haven't got my bird yet, I should be getting it next year around April so just trying to do research on everything that is coming to my mind so I can ensure a great life for the bird! I have a room for my animals I go spend time in for a while every day(bearded dragon and cat) so worse come to worse I can just sound proof the room so it doesn't annoy my boyfriend too much and do clicker training like you say (looking into that recently). Thanks for your advice!
 

babyboomer1001

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Jul 17, 2017
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Numerous.
Hello! So I have been reading into trying to keep the noise down with an Indian ringneck. I am getting one next year! I know they are loud birds when they want to be and that is fine by me, not so much by my boyfriend but I have looked into other parrots and the loudness is the only downfall to this bird (although what birds aren't loud?) Everything else is perfect and I know it will fit into the family wonderfully. I have read into training the bird to learn to be quiet (i posted another thread about training if you can give me any tips on there) and soundproofing the cage and the room the bird is in to reduce noise. I am a bit baffled by soundproofing the cage, i was looking into things called 'moving blankets' and they absorb sound, I was thinking to maybe have one blanket cover the sides and back of the cage and then sound proofing the walls surrounding it and the door to the room. Do any of you think this would help reduce noise? Also, if I had a blackout blanket and I put it over the cage would this stop the bird screaming? In my other post about training I mention this too but I'll write again, while I am in the house I will be training the bird that quiet equals treats (food, pets ect) and if it screams it gets no attention until it's quiet. My boyfriend wants nothing to do with the responsibility of the bird and that's fine as he isn't a animal lover as much as me and he doesn't like looking after pets and it is also the compromise we made to me getting the bird so this is why I am wondering if a blackout blanket would work while I am away? Is there any other options that anyone has used to keep the bird quiet? Any information you can give me on this would really help me out, thank you in advance! :)


Just a sheet, doubled over is sufficient. It doesn't have to be a black out or anything heavy or fancy.
 
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Lorne96

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Is it an effective and safe way of managing the noise? Of course I won't cover the cage every time if it is safe and effective. I want the parrot to learn that no screaming means more attention and/or treats for them, not that if they scream they will be covered up every time. Maybe I should say No in a quieter voice when my other half covers the cage? (But loud enough it can still hear me)
 

chris-md

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Aphrodite - red throated conure (RIP)
Don’t apologize :)

Whether you call it manage or control, youre still asking the same question. And the answer is the same. The bird is going to have a natural level of inherent noise that you can’t manage. A sun conure is well known for screaming for the sheer joy of expressing how happy it is to be alive.

I would really repeat, a happy well adjusted bird isn’t going to be an excessive screamer. The flip side is that they will still have an inherent noise level you have to live with.

Managing the noise really isn’t something you do. Unless there is a screaming problem, in which case you do have to rely on training techniques.

So no, throwing a sheet over the bird when it is being itself is not going to help anything.
 
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Lorne96

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Thanks for your reply, and thank you for your advice this has really helped. Any other questions this is where I will come :)
 

itchyfeet

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Ethyl the cockatiel, Henry & Clarke the IRN's, and Skittles the lovebird (my daughters)
I found it easier to control the moans from my husband.
Got him a new hobby and a 'man shed' to hide him in when he can't handle the birds ;)
 

noodles123

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Jul 11, 2018
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Assume that you can't control it. Would that be a deal-breaker?


If so, rethink things.


That having been said, if it screams for attention, ignore that and praise it when it makes sounds you like or plays quietyly etc etc (just depends on the bird and the reason for the noise)...Birds are often loud though, so you and your boyfriend need to have a "worst-case-scenario" discussion because there will be bumps in the road ahead (no matter how well-behaved the bird). I mean this in the most loving way possible!!!
 
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Lorne96

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I need to get my boyfriend something to sweeten the deal, I know there will be noise and me personally i am fine with that! I prefer to listen to the calling of birds than a baby crying so, i read Indian ringnecks are as loud as children screaming sometimes. I am thinking of ways to sound proof the room without it being expensive.. any tried and tested ideas that anyone can help with that? If it was just me in the house I wouldn't bother but I want to make it as comfortable as possible for my boyfriend! I wouldn't say a dealbreaker No, I think their noises are easier to handle than some parrots, my boyfriend has heard the noise on videos we were watching and he didn't seem too phased by it. I don't ever plan to have a loud voice while talking to the bird, I read if you whisper when the bird is screaming sometimes it will stop just to listen to you. Is this true? I read something about using a strobe light (not directly in their faces on a wall they can see for example) to stop the parrot screaming, is this a good idea? Any other idea that work and are safe to use with the bird to manage the noise please let me know. Thanks!
 

Kriss07

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May 14, 2023
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Budgies and IRN.
It is not just the screaming when owning birds that you must consider before owning one. They also talk, or just make natural bird sounds at all times of the day just out of nature. These sounds can become very loud and sometimes constant. If you think noise is going to be/become a problem you should consider getting a hampster or a reptile.
 

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