Quiet cockatoos?

[I_only_have_chickens]

My cousin owned 2 cockatoos awhile back (even though she shouldn't have...). I dont think they really spent any one on one time with the birds and if they did it was rare. The birds were out of the cage though and free to roam I believe most of the time they were home.
However, I noticed that the two, a lesser sulfur crested and goffins, were really quiet. Rarely screamed. The lesser sulfur would chat a little throughout the day and the goffins didn't speak much. This is just what I remember from years ago, though, so I may be off on how loud or how frequent they screamed.

Are there cockatoos that are actually quiet most of the time? Or were her birds sick? I think she had them for a year and rehomed them because of her mother's work...

 

[Kiwibird]

Quiet cockatoos?! Those must come from the same place as flying pigs

In all seriousness, yes some individuals of any parrot species can be quiet even if it's not 'typical'. Some may be quiet due to depression/lack of mental stimulation too. But cockatoos, as a species, are LOUD. VERY LOUD. Jam ice picks in your ears repeatedly to try and make it stop loud... That doesn't mean they scream 24/7 but generally cockatoos like very loud screeching sessions in the mornings and evenings along with random screeching throughout the day if something sets them off. I grew up with a goffins cockatoo who's screams could be heard a mile down the road in the summer when the windows were open.

 

[Scott]

What April (Kiwibird) said!

Cockatoos are loud and raucous, the gravelly screech carries over distance. Mine are typically vocal in the mornings and late afternoon; "calling the flock." They can spontaneously crank up the volume anytime when stimulated. if you have more than one, or multiple species in different areas, they will "contact call" frequently. There is, however, variance among members of a species.

 

[Boozieshome]

I used to think my Amazon was loud until I brought some U2s home. My Zon is an amateur.

 

[LordTriggs]

I don't think those ones you knew were sick, just a quiet blip on the cockatoo radar. I've seen many cockatoos who will like to sit and chill out being quiet in their own way but then at the drop of a hat will shout to let all within the surrounding area ware "I am Too, hear my voice!"

 

[Sharonlendon]

Oh holy cow. My cockatoo Simon is LOUD. I do try and keep him very busy with things so he won't holler. But he can make your ears ring like you were at a rock concert. He's got his own bedroom and he has bedtime too. 8:00 each night. That's when I get my quiet time.

 

[smbrds]

''Quiet'' and ''cockatoo'' is an oxymoron Like you, I also had a friend who had a Moluccan and galah years ago. When her Moluccan would be out it was almost as if it was being at an airport. One moment she would have a quiet time and then the next she'll let out that happy cockatoo ''raaah.'' When the music was on and she was out, she had her ''happy times'' of letting it out. Even galahs can have loud moments but not the same volume as the bigger toos.