How noisy are macaw compared to other parrots?
If you are looking for a quiet house pet, I’ll be straight with you—you are looking at the wrong bird. When clients at MACAW PARROTS FOR SALE HOME ask me, “How noisy are macaw compared to other parrots?“, I usually tell them to imagine a prehistoric jungle alarm clock. Macaws are significantly louder than almost any other common parrot species, with the exception of maybe some Cockatoos.
While a Budgie or a Cockatiel will chatter and whistle all day, a macaw’s vocalization is a full-bodied, guttural scream that can reach over 100 decibels. That is roughly the same volume as a jackhammer or a low-flying jet. They don’t scream all day—at least, they shouldn’t if they are happy—but their “morning and evening calls” are a natural instinct that you cannot train away. If you live in an apartment or have neighbors who are sensitive to noise, the sheer volume of a macaw compared to a Pionus or an African Grey might be a dealbreaker.
Key Takeaways
- Decibel Levels: Macaws can reach 100+ decibels, making them much louder than Greys, Amazons, or Conures.
- Frequency: Unlike the constant “chatter” of smaller birds, macaws tend to have explosive bursts of loud noise.
- Species Variance: Mini macaws like the Hahn’s are “piercingly” loud, while the Hyacinth is “deeply” loud.
- Environmental Triggers: They are more likely to scream when they hear high-pitched noises like vacuum cleaners or excited children.
- Sunrise/Sunset: Expect a “flock call” twice a day; it’s their way of checking in with their people.
How Noisy Are Macaw Compared to Other Parrots? The Volume Reality
I’ve had folks come into MACAW PARROTS FOR SALE HOME who owned an African Grey for ten years and thought they were ready for a macaw. Within a week, they called me saying, “Bryan, I didn’t realize it would be this loud.” When we talk about how noisy are macaw compared to other parrots?, we aren’t just talking about how much they talk—we’re talking about the raw power of their lungs.
An African Grey might whistle or mimic the microwave, but it’s usually at a conversational volume. A macaw, however, is designed to communicate across miles of dense rainforest canopy. When they let out a “contact call,” they aren’t trying to be annoying; they are trying to make sure you (their flock) are still nearby. Perhaps the most surprising thing for new owners is that even the “small” macaws can hold their own against the big guys. A Hahn’s Macaw has a shrill, high-pitched scream that can actually be more grating on the ears than the deep “honk” of a Green-winged.
Comparing Macaw Volume to Other Popular Parrot Species
To really understand how noisy are macaw compared to other parrots?, it helps to see where they sit on the “shouting scale.” I’ve spent my life in aviaries, and I’ve developed a bit of a mental ranking for these things.
| Parrot Type | Noise Style | Volume Level (1-10) |
| Macaws | Deep, booming screams and loud squawks. | 9/10 |
| Cockatoos | High-pitched, repetitive, very frequent screams. | 10/10 |
| Amazon Parrots | Loud singing, talking, and “honking.” | 8/10 |
| African Greys | Whistles, clicks, and very clear speech. | 5/10 |
| Conures (Sun) | High-pitched, frequent “shrieks.” | 8/10 |
| Budgies | Constant low-volume chattering and warbling. | 2/10 |
As you can see, when people ask how noisy are macaw compared to other parrots?, they are usually at the top of the list. The only reason I give them a 9 instead of a 10 is that macaws are generally more “logical” with their noise. A Cockatoo might scream because it’s bored, because it’s happy, or just because it’s Tuesday. A macaw usually has a reason—they want food, they want out, or they saw a hawk through the window.
Why Do Macaws Make So Much Noise?
I think it’s important to understand the why behind the noise. At MACAW PARROTS FOR SALE HOME, I explain that these birds are wired for sound.
- The Morning Greeting: In the wild, they scream at sunrise to wake up the flock and prepare for foraging.
- The Evening Check-In: They do it again at sunset to make sure everyone made it back to the roosting tree.
- Excitement: If you get home from work and start cheering for a game on TV, your macaw is going to “join the party.” They think they are helping!
- The “Alarm” Call: Macaws are great watchdogs. If a stranger pulls into the driveway, you will know.
I’ve had moments where I’m on a business call and one of my breeders decides it’s time to sing the song of his people. It’s a challenge. You have to be okay with a home that is never truly quiet. If you’re wondering how noisy are macaw compared to other parrots? because you work from home, you definitely need a “noise-canceling” plan.
Managing the Noise: Tips from a Breeder
You can’t make a macaw silent. Honestly, a silent macaw is often a sick macaw. But you can manage it. When we sell a bird at MACAW PARROTS FOR SALE HOME, we give a mini-lesson on “noise management.”
- Don’t Reward Screaming: If the bird screams for attention and you run into the room to yell “Be quiet!”, you just gave them what they wanted. You interacted. Instead, wait for a five-second gap of silence before entering.
- Foraging is Key: A beak that is busy chewing a macadamia nut or shredding a wood block cannot scream.
- Routine: A bird on a solid schedule—knowing when breakfast, play-time, and sleep-time are—is much less likely to scream out of frustration.
- Quiet Speech: If you whisper to your macaw, they will often lean in and whisper back. They are mirrors of our energy.
Conclusion
So, how noisy are macaw compared to other parrots? They are the “heavy metal” of the bird world. They are loud, proud, and impossible to ignore. While they might not be as “needy-loud” as a Cockatoo, their sheer decibel level is higher than almost any other bird you can keep.
At MACAW PARROTS FOR SALE HOME, we love the noise—it sounds like life and energy to us. But we want our buyers to be prepared. If you love the idea of a bird that makes its presence known and you have the living situation to handle it, there is nothing more rewarding. But if you’re looking for peace and quiet… well, maybe look at an African Grey or a nice pair of Budgies!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which macaw species is the quietest?
When people ask how noisy are macaw compared to other parrots?, they often want a “loophole.” The “quietest” is usually the Hyacinth Macaw. They tend to be much more mellow and “low-frequency.” However, when a Hyacinth does decide to scream, it is like a foghorn. Among the smaller ones, the Illiger’s Macaw is often cited as being slightly less “shrieky” than the Hahn’s, but “quiet” is a very relative term in the macaw world!
