This is no secret that Sun Conures and Macaws are one of the loudest birds in the world. While their loud calls often seem to irritate people, bird lovers actually like to hear those sounds. So, if you are looking for a pet bird minus the high-pitched calls, you should do your research.

Are Sun Conures louder than Macaws? While Macaws have high-pitched screams that measure 105 decibels, screaming Sun Conures can reach noise levels over 120 decibels, which is considered extremely loud on the scale. Therefore, Sun Conures tend to be louder than Macaws. Other conures can even reach 155 decibels.

The two birds indeed make for beautiful pets, however, their level of high pitched voices can be the point of difference in making a decision.

Even though Macaws do make high-pitched shrieks, Sun Conures can be louder when they resort to screaming constantly, and that time usually comes when you will seek peace and quiet.

However, there could be quite a few reasons behind those loud shrieks and there are numerous ways you can use to tame them.

What Types of Noise or Shrieks Do Sun Conures Produce?

With beautifully vibrant orange-yellow feathers, and a splash of rainbow colors on its wings, Sun Conures are smaller than most of the parrot species – but oddly, they can be louder than their cousins!

They can be heard from a mile away, or even farther if they scream at their full capacity. You may even feel numb in the head after a while if your Sun Conure is a tad too chatty. The reason for Sun Conures to be louder is also an indication of their health.

Even though Conures are beautiful at sight, their propensity for loud vocalizations means that they may not be the best choice as a pet if you like your peace and quiet.

Macaws – How Do they Compare to Sun Conures?

Macaws are one of the larger and healthier species of parrots. Their bodies are draped in shades of rainbow colors, much similar to the Sun Conures, but they are not as vibrant.

They have a relaxed nature, smart intellect, and are also known to be the most vocal of their cousins, but for good reason.

They are usually found in the wild and travel up to 500 miles in one day, so they use loud calls to communicate with their flock mates while on the move.

Looking for a quiet pet and heading towards a Macaw, or a Sun Conure for that matter, may not be the best decision you can make.

Some Macaws may be quieter than others, but as a part of their character, they will emit loud calls at one time or the other, and then the burden to bear those calls falls on your ears.

Though their calls won’t be as deafening as the Sun Conures’!

Are There Any Other Reasons Behind their Continuous Loud Calls?

It is in these birds’ nature to be loud, yet people try hard to force them to be quiet, which defeats the purpose of having a pet parrot hanging around in a cage at home.

Before moving on to the reasons for their loud calls, we need to understand that if you have decided to own a pet parrot, you must accept a certain level of their noise, and then try to control if their calls exceed that level.

Birds use these calls to communicate. It not only helps them protect themselves from predators but also serves several different purposes, including finding food, a safe nest and even a chance to socialize.

If your pet parrot has just come into your home, almost straight away from the wild or a similar environment, they may be in constant search of their flock or find themselves lost.

Therefore, they will be screaming constantly in the first few days or even weeks to find a similar face. Other reasons why parrots make lots of noise include:

• Boredom
• Injury
• Illness
• Fright or Anxiety
• Expression of Joy
• Lack of Exercise
• Morning Routine
• Late Afternoon Habit

What Can I Do to Lower their High-Pitched Sounds?

The problem is that humans do not speak ‘parrot’, so there is always a barrier between the two that sets us apart and makes understanding them difficult.

As mentioned earlier, parrots tend to scream when they come into a new environment because they are constantly searching for their flock mates and when they do not find them or hear from them, their scream gets louder.

However, you can lower their scream with a simple whistle or even a straightforward phrase, like “I am right here!”, “I am listening” or “I’ll be right back!”

These phrases used consistently can help them identify a different call and get tuned to it. One other thing you can try is to bring your bird to different rooms when you move.

This will make them feel surrounded by someone whom they can identify and therefore the noise levels will fall.

Having perches set up throughout the house can make moving the parrot easier. Also, try to engage with your bird, play with it, and make it feel at home so that it does not get bored and resort to screaming.

Another reason your parrot may be screaming is that it is full of energy and it needs to expend it in some way.

To bring their energy levels in control, you can allow your parrot to exercise by allowing them to flap their wings or fly for some time.

This will help them become calm and happier. As a natural habit, parrots may reflect general noise levels in your home that include television, vacuum, stereo, dogs, screaming children, etc.

Many people also cover their birdcage with a dark cloth because birds, like parrots, often calm down when they are in a dark environment.

However, the thing you should consider is whether it is humane to have your parrot locked away in the dark because quick fixes do not work in the long run.

Instead, we recommend becoming a parrot expert and give your parrot what he or she needs. Also, accept that birds are loud. Here are a few of our articles that will help you!

• How loud macaws are and what you can do about it
• Why macaws are so hard to take care of
• Why parrots should not be left alone

Final Thoughts

Macaws are still the best option as pet parrots because Sun Conures, even though not persistent on screaming, can be louder than Macaws, which means less time for you to enjoy a relaxing afternoon and have a decent sleep at night.

No matter which bird you end up choosing at the end of the day, it is important to keep in mind that parrots are known for their chatty nature, and if you cannot make peace with this nature, you might as well opt for some other pet bird.

Related Questions

What are some of the quietest bird species?

Though all pets tend to be chatty in nature and make different types of noises throughout the day, Finches, Canaries, Budgies, Parrotlets, and Cockatiels tend to be quieter than the other bird species.

Are Sun Conures affectionate?

Sun Conures are known to be extremely gentle, loving and affectionate in nature. They are quite loyal to their owners and love getting snuggles from them, making them perfect as home pets for people looking to get a social and interactive pet bird!

How much do adult Sun Conures cost?

An adult Sun Conure can cost anywhere from around 400 dollars to 600 dollars. The average price for an adult Sun Conure is 500 dollars. The reason for its high cost is its exotic looks and loving nature.