Parakeets are noisy in comparison to other pets like hamsters, rabbits and even cats but, when compared to other smaller parrots, your average parakeet only has a decibel volume rating of around 68. Other larger parakeets like rose ringed parakeets for example are among the loudest out there with a decibel volume reaching 111.

In short depending on the parakeet you have, noise levels may be extremely loud or just moderately bothersome.

When Are Parakeets Most Noisy?

Parakeets are very social parrots and can chat noisily to each other, to you or another parrot throughout the day. Noise stimulates them so if your parakeet is introduced in the morning to a number of loud sounds whether from the TV, from songbirds singing, radio or music, chances are that they will try to match the sound around them.

Parakeets are at their loudest in the morning and afternoon. The reason why is due to the fact most sounds are at their loudest at these times from other birds chirping incessantly to the sounds coming out your TV set.

If your parakeet has a companion, it’s possible that they may be chatting away to them.

How Loud Are Parakeets?

The traditional budgie or what we often refer to as a parakeet in the States is a small group of native Australian birds are relatively quiet compared to other smaller pet parrots like lovebirds with a decibel volume of only 68.

This is roughly equivalent to the sound of a dishwasher or a washing machine that are around 70 on the decibel scale. Of course the average parakeet isn’t always going to be squawking away at the volume of washing but, when they produce sounds it will still be relatively loud.

Rose ringed parakeets on the other hand are extremely loud where they can reach volumes of around 111 decibels. A crying baby is generally 130 decibels in volume and a jackhammer is around 110 decibels so, that should give you just a rough idea as to how loud some species of parakeets can get.

Once again a rose ringed parakeets won’t always be squawking at that volume but, you would still be able to hear it through multiple rooms.

Why Do Parakeets Get Noisy?

Noise stimulation is the main reason why parakeets get as loud as they do. If people are speaking at a louder volume, your pet parakeet would react to it by chirping back or even through little fluttery whistles when conversing a companion or owner.

Parakeets can also get noisy out of fear.

If you’re a new owner or if you decide to bring a new friend into the mix, although parakeets are more social than lovebirds and cockatiels, it’s still possible that you’re first few interactions would terrify the little parrot forcing it to squawk out in fear.

They can also get noisy if they’re protecting their territory and on occasion if they’re jealous that another animal or person is getting more attention than them from you.

Are Parakeets Loud At Night?

No, parakeets are not loud at night mostly due to the fact they’re not nocturnal birds. The only reason they would be loud at night is if external sounds make it difficult for your parakeet to get their typical shut eye of around 9 – 12 hours.

What a lot of bird owners do, including myself is cover their cage with a blanket to stop outside stimuli from distracting them whilst in an attempt to sleep.

Compared to the morning and afternoon, parakeets are by far quietest around night time so if that is one of your major concerns when it comes to owning these birds, you shouldn’t worry too much here.

Parakeets can suffer from night frights where they may wake up mid sleep and screech as a result of a sudden loud sound (like thunder), bright lights or a sudden movements but, other than these uncommon instances of loudness, parakeets are generally very quiet at night time.

How To Reduce Your Parakeets Volume

If you want to reduce the loudness of your parakeet, there are a few things you can do other than covering their cage with a cloth.

• Give Them More Attention – Parakeets enjoy attention and without it they could stimulate themselves by making extra noise. Therefore, if they have been stimulated sufficiently by your affection (which normally should be around 3 – 5 hours of interaction) your parakeet will likely stop being as vocal throughout the day.
• Give Them New Toys – Giving new toys to your parakeet so they can interact and either solve the puzzle or have something fun to roll around or poke is a good way stimulate your parakeets needs and reduce their need to squawk as often.
• Move Them To A Quieter Environment – If the environment a parakeet is within is too loud, moving them to a less noisy place will be beneficial as it will reduce the amount noise and in turn make them quieter.

Summary

Budgies/ normal parakeets are what you could refer to as low to medium in terms of volume whilst rose ringed parakeets are amongst the loudest birds out there, almost double the volume of the 68 decibel budgie.

111 decibel is something most of us would genuinely consider loud as it is roughly equivalent to a jackhammer or a quiet rock concert, not something anyone I’m sure would consider tame.

In short neither budgies or rose ringed make super quiet pets but, they also aren’t always noisy so, if you think you can handle the occasional burst of volume, parakeets are pets still worth looking into.