One of the qualities that humans find endearing in birds is their wide range of vocalizations. We just love the sweet whistling of songbirds for its exquisite aesthetic value. Many people are attracted to parrots by their intelligence and their ability to mimic human speech.  If their noisy nature has kept you from adding a feathered friend to your family, take another look. These five birds are among the quietest and make amazing pets. While we may have our own reasoning for appreciating the noises that birds can produce, they have reasons to show this activity that goes far beyond just making noise.

Senegal Parrots

Senegal parrots are medium-sized parrots. They are one of the quietest birds. These species are known to not have the calling instinct that other larger parrots usually possess. Hence, they don’t make loud, screeching sounds. They have more subdued voices and chirp lightly.

Senegal parrots, too, possess the ability to vocalize different human sounds and words. They are friendly pets to have and can be trained to speak as well as be tamed. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to maintain. A great choice if you love parrots but want to tone down on the screeching. The video below should give you an idea on how quiet these guys are.

Cockatiels

Cockatiels are larger species of the parrot (parakeet) family and are very popular companions as bird pets. They are an intelligent species who can be trained to talk as well as behave in a certain manner.

They have good vocal abilities and they are quick learners. Even though cockatiels are capable of emitting loud sounds, they are usually quieter compared to most other parrot species. Cockatiels also need a lot of care and attention. But they are very loving and adorable pets who quickly form a good bond with their human companions. They are a fun pet to have and have earned their popularity by being very friendly with humans. Big bonus – they sing wonderfully!

Canaries

Canary in a wooden cage

Just like the above-mentioned parrots, Canaries are among the quietest pet birds around. They are known for their playful songs and are a cheerful and sociable species. As a result of breeding, Canaries are available in multiple colors ranging from yellow, orange and green.

The smaller size of this bird ensures that their voice won’t annoy the neighbors. While the males have a great singing voice it won’t be heard outside your apartment or, with closed doors, your room. This gentle bird can be bought in most pet stores, and there are around 200 breeds available to choose from.

Finches

Finches are tiny birds with tiny voices, making them a great option for people who want a quiet bird. They tend to make pleasant chirps and peeps throughout the day, and even a small flock has a relatively low noise level. While they are generally hands-off birds for humans, finches prefer to share their space with flock mates. They require an enclosure in which they can fly, as that typically is their only space for exercise.

Zebra finches are the most common finch to be kept as a pet because they are beautiful and low-maintenance. They are hands-off with their humans and prefer to be left with their partners in their enclosures. 

Budgies

Budgies are small birds of the parrot family and are much quieter than other parakeet species. Usually, budgies are housed in groups. And even though they collectively create a lot of noise, the chirping is easy on the ears. Budgies are physically not capable of screaming very loudly. Their small size means they are easier to maintain, too. These small parrots are one of the most popular pet birds, and for good reason. The petite bird is unable to scream like some other species. This makes them one of the quietest bird pets. 

With budgies available in various bright colors, these colorful chirping feather balls are a great option if you want to have a pet that does not drive you crazy with their screeching. They can be taught to speak.