What is the best thing to do?

[Carole]

I have had my lovebirds for a little over a month. They are now a wee bit over 5 months old. I live in an apartment, and for the past week or so, they have become VERY noisy. I was told today that if I couldn't quiet them down, I'd have to make other arrangements for them. I don't know what to do. I've tried everything I know to quiet them down, but nothing is working.

On the other hand, to be fair to them, perhaps another home would be the best thing. They are only doing what birds do, and perhaps if I can find someone with a house where they can make all the noise they want, it would be better for them.

I love them so I will do whatever is the best for them.

Any advice?

Carole

[linda040899]

Hi Carole,
Where is the complaint coming from? A neighbor upstairs, downstairs, next door? Would it be possible to move them to an area where the noise would be muffled a bit more?

Yes, I have a lot of lovebirds and mine can get noisy at certain times of the day but I also have neighbors who have the volumes of their TV sets set so they are louder than my birds could ever hope to be!!!

It's been my experience that when lovebirds are chattering away, most of the time they are happy/content. Mine will call to the outside birds if they hear them. It doesn't bother me, although I have 2 macaws that live with me so lovebird chattering is minor when my ears hear it......... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Not all birds want to be close up and friendly with humans. Some are quite content to interact with us but have no contact at all. One of my African Greys is like that. If your birds are well cared for, they are far ahead of many out there that are not!

[Jally]

What time of the day are they the noisiest? Are you at work or are you in the house? I ask because we've had some lifestyle changes recently and my birds have reacted to it negatively. In the early evening, I am (was) rushing around trying to get last minute cleaning tasks done and dinner on the table. I was frazzled and my birds reacted to it by screaming which made me even more frazzled!

So no more rushing around for me. I try to have peaceful evenings by turning off the tv and keeping birds occupied.

Try tv on and off, try different types of toys, etc.

Good luck!

[Chickobee]

Oh, this is sad!

There really isn't a way to stop your birds from making noises. They are going to have periods of time each day when they are noisier, such as for a while in the morning and then again in the evening; sort of like The Waltons all telling each other good night or asking about their day. Ours also get noisy when we are running water, cooking, or whenever we have company. That's just the way it is.

Unfortunately, some apartments are not well insulated between the units so you can pretty much hear everything--including the toilets flushing, water running, TV's, walking around, etc. from adjoining units. If you are in one like that there won't be much you can to keep your neighbors from hearing your lovebirds, but you may be able to tone down the noise a bit by making a few changes in your apartment.

One thing I do know, since I work in an area that has noise test facilities, is that the furnishings in your room have a lot to do with how loud it is. Have you noticed that an empty room echoes but it doesn't do that after you have filled it up? All of those things that you add will help to absorb the sound waves, so upholstered furniture works better than wood to absorb sound.

Curtains, books, furniture, rugs or carpeting, throw pillows, etc. all help to absorb the sounds in a room. Our test chambers at work have hundreds of pieces of foam on the walls, ceiling, and floor to absorb the sounds. It's amazing to be in a space with no sounds.

So, possibly moving your birds to a quieter room may solve your noise problem. Or, distancing them from the complainer as Linda suggested might be the solution.

Have you ever noticed square pieces of foam covered with decorative fabric hung on the walls in the waiting rooms in doctors offices? I have, and I know they are there to mute the sounds. That could be a fairly inexpensive solution which might brighten up your room and make it quieter at the same time.

It would be a shame if you have to rehome your birds. :(

[Carole]

They are in a room which is my spare bedroom and office. It doesn't share walls with anyone else but me, so it has to be coming from someone underneath me as I am on the top floor.

The problem is that they start at 7:00am (even though I have them covered) and people do not want to be wakened that early, especially on the weekends. It's gotten to the point where I am now jumping out of bed when I hear them at 7:00am just to try to quiet them down. I am so stressed right now, which is not good for me as I have health issues. Because of those issues I'm retired, and am now spending my morning watching to see when my neighbor's car leaves so that I can relax.

Putting them in another room is not going to help since the people downstairs have the same floorplan I have. So if they can hear them in this room, they will hear them no matter what room I put them in.

When I got my cockatiel people told me that if he made loud noises to whistle softly and that would let him know that softer sounds were better, and that has worked with him. He no longer screams unless something is really wrong. But I tried that with the lovebirds and they seem to be just getting louder. I also tried making banging noises when they got loud so that they would not like the sound, but that hasn't worked either.

[linda040899]

Have you tried window darkening shades in this room so that it stays dark until your downstairs neighbor leaves for work? If not room darkening shades, how about a very dark colored sheet? Mine will usually stay quiet until the sun comes up and it gets light where ever they are. Lovebirds will usually greet the morning with at least some kind of chatter and it's because they are happy.....

[carrier]

I would hold off on making any banging noises...they will just get further excited.

I've noticed that my two become more and more boisterous when the TV is on, music is playing, or if they need or want something (like me to cover them so they can go to bed)

Is the cover on the cage a darkening one? You really want them to think it's night-time.

Other than that, here's another question...are they fighting? How old are they, and have they been DNA sexed? If you have two young females in a cage together it could be the beginning of some serious quarrelling.
They may just need to be separated into different cages...?

Just a thought. I hope things can be worked out.

[Mummieeva]

Maybe they are sleeping in the room that is under the birds room? Could you move them to your living room? I am sorry you have grumpy neighbors.


Steph

[Chickobee]

Carrie brought up a really good point. I read through one of your previous threads and you didn't know the sexes of your birds. Have you had them DNA'd since then? They are getting to the age where they will most likely no longer get along if they are both females. That could account for some of the additional noise.

It will pose other problems too if they don't get along, and could eventually be fatal for the less dominant hen. It is true that sometimes two hens can share a cage, but this is definitely not the norm. I would encourage you to have them DNA'd if they are fighting more and more.

We had this same thing happen with our first two lovebirds and finally had them tested and discovered that they were both hens. Even though they could play together outside of their cages they definitely couldn't share a cage because the more dominant hen didn't want the other one anywhere near her personal nesting territory.

Some people here use separate smaller sleeping cages for their birds. This might be a good option for you, especially if you have one room with no windows (like a bathroom or large closet) where it would be dark. Then they might sleep later in the mornings.

If the time they get up in the mornings is the main, or only, issue that might also solve your problems.

Other people here might have more ideas too. :)

[One bird for one heart.]

With my lovebird I have found that if you put a t-shirt over their cage or a towal they will quite down.

[Carole]

I haven't had them sexed, but judging from what I read in the books, I think I have a male and a female. I read something about them feeding each other which these two do a lot. I do have an extra cage, so perhaps I'll try separating them at night. Or getting a cover that is darker. I've been using a towel, but may I should get a black cloth so it stays dark.

[Enko_chan]

I am very photosensitive and keep it dark in my room. I have full spectrum lighting for the birds, set up so that it shines on them during "daylight" hours and not on me. Because of this set up, I tend to rise before the birds. Our big window is covered with a thick, dark-coloured tapestry, but a dark-colored blanket would work just as well. You could take it off during "acceptable" hours. It may take a while before the lovies fall into a new sleep pattern, so don't expect a change overnight, but my lovebirds don't rise until 9:30 AM, and I am up at 6:00 AM most days!

Hopefully, if the cranky neighbors are able to get their beauty rest, the complaints will stop.

Geez, I know some birds can get loud, but I can barely hear the lovebirds from across my small home. I mean, I can hear them enough to know that they are calling, but if I were trying to work or rest, the noise wouldn't bother me. Kokoro, on the other hand, is LOUD! In my house, I can't hear the lovebirds from the upstairs apartment, and I can't hear her birds down here... and I can't hear my birds in the basement. I can barely even hear Kokoro at his loudest from upstairs or down- and this place is old and the walls and floors are thin. I've had to ask upstairs to turn down the T.V. or music, maybe twice over the years, but we've never had an exchange about the birds.

Y'know, it just makes me wonder exactly what is being heard. I wish in those situations, the person who is complaining would go right to the person they're complaining about and be forthcoming about exactly what is happening, so the issue could be dealt with properly.

[personatus]

I know how you feel, just spent the best part of a year building my new outdoor aviaries and birdroom only to have to rip it all down again. The birds are WAY louder than I expected and the neighbours have complained. One side was relatively civil about it which was fine and we talked about possible solutions. The ones from the back were rude though, they made my wife cry which kind of upset me...after a rather heated "conversation" he crawled back under his rock, probably thanking his lucky stars I never punched his lights out which I was one word away from doing lol.

I agree with it though, they are MEGA noisey when living as a flock (30 birds in the aviary, all pretty much horny and excited....eeeek). They need to go back inside. Just so much blood, sweat and tears went into the construction, aswell as alot of money that will have gone down the pan.

To be honest, you can't shut lovebirds up, if they want to make a racked, they will.

[michael]

....... I do have an extra cage, so perhaps I'll try separating them at night.......

If you feel their getting along fairly well, I would not separate them. .. This could result in contact calls, which may make matters even worse. ... Best bet, as Steph (mummieeva) mentioned, finding an area thats farthest from the occupants below might make it less likely that they'll hear them. ... Next, would be a darkened room combined with a cage cover. ... Of course, mine wake up as soon as I lift a leg. ... They both have big ears. ..........:)

[bird-brain]

I have no suggestions other than those I just read through. My birds are all dead heads and look at you like you've killed them if you uncover them much before 8:00. I honestly have never heard a harsh noise come from my lovies. It's sad to be so miserable that singing birds become something to complain about. Borrow a Sun Conure for a couple of days and teach them the difference in a loud bird and a not so loud bird..........

[bookworm0550]

Can you put them in the living room? I read in birdtalk magazine that having plants reasly helps with absorbing sounds. I will look for that article when I get home tonight. I'm sorry your neighbors are complaining. I always get paranoid I will get complaints too cuz I have 7 lovebirds and boy can they get loud!!!! But my neighbor below me can get really loud with his friends and the guy across the hall loves to hear my birds and the caretaker lives down the hall and doesn't care. The property manager comes by a lot and says nothing so I really count my blessings on that one

[linda040899]

Borrow a Sun Conure for a couple of days and teach them the difference in a loud bird and a not so loud bird..........
:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Boy, is that ever a true statement!!! Perhaps add a macaw for good measure......

Seriously, I think that darkening the room will make a world of difference.

[Carole]

Thanks, everyone. I had a little chat with them yesterday, and they seemed a lot calmer. I am going to go out today and get some dark black cloth to cover their cages with. I made a cover for Dundee's cage (he's my cockatiel).

Yes, I also wish people would come to me and tell me what the problem is. The birds are not in a room over their bedroom, and to be honest, the wild birds outside make more noise. And they often wake me up at 6am! At least the little ones don't start until after 7. Today they were good and didn't start until after 8 :)

I'm also going to see about getting blackout curtains for this room.

On a brighter note, yesterday afternoon I let the little ones out of their cage. I made them a little playground on a table I had. And first Dolce flew over to me and decided to sit on my shoulder, and then Adagio did the same. They ended up playing on my lap :) It was the first time they've done that, and they appear to be losing their fear of my hands :) So hopefully, slowly, they will get more used to me :)

[linda040899]

Carol,
I'm glad to hear that you talked to them and it calmed them down a bit! :) A Mockingbird singing at midnight will make a louder noise than a couple of lovebirds! We have a Mocker in my neighborhood and he loves to sit on the peak of my neighbors house and just sing his heart out.....starting at midnight!

I'm also glad to hear that your babies are showing less fear of your hands. That's good thing, as it shows they are beginning to trust you. :) Keep up the good work. They came home with the right person.

[carrier]

A Mockingbird singing at midnight will make a louder noise than a couple of lovebirds! We have a Mocker in my neighborhood and he loves to sit on the peak of my neighbors house and just sing his heart out.....starting at midnight!


Why is it that they like to vocalize so late at night? We had one near my house where I grew up and we would ALWAYS hear him after midnight! :confused:

[linda040899]

Why is it that they like to vocalize so late at night?
Interesting question to which I found an even more interesting answer!

http://www.birdwatching.com/stories/mockingbird.html

[Carole]

Why is it that they like to vocalize so late at night? We had one near my house where I grew up and we would ALWAYS hear him after midnight! :confused:

Maybe they want a little loving :)

[Carole]

I have decided not to separate them. One of the reasons I adopted both of them was that they have been together since they were hatched. They are siblings. And they don't fight. They do make noise every so often and the play, but they have never done anything that would injure the other one. And they often sit on the same perch and cuddle, and they are so cute :)

This morning they had a nice bath which I'm sure felt good since it's been very warm here the past few days.

[Carole]

Carol,
I'm glad to hear that you talked to them and it calmed them down a bit! :) A Mockingbird singing at midnight will make a louder noise than a couple of lovebirds! We have a Mocker in my neighborhood and he loves to sit on the peak of my neighbors house and just sing his heart out.....starting at midnight!

I'm also glad to hear that your babies are showing less fear of your hands. That's good thing, as it shows they are beginning to trust you. :) Keep up the good work. They came home with the right person.

Thanks :) I was really happy yesterday when they flew over to me. And Dolce just plonked herself on my shoulder :) She did that the first time I played with them at the shop, only she arranged my long hair into a nest and then plonked herself in the middle of it! :) Everyone in the shop agreed that she liked me. Adagio has taken longer to win over, but he seems to be coming around.

I do want them to be happy. It's still very warm here so I can't run around shopping, but hopefully by tomorrow or Sunday I can go out and get some blackout curtains for this room. I would love if they would sleep until 9am :)

[Carole]

A little update - I got a darker cage cover and now the little ones are quiet until after 9:00am!! Hallelujah! I've actually slept in the past two days until a little after 9. And even when they start to make noise now in the morning, it's just soft noises, not the loud ones that used to make me jump out of bed to come in and quiet them down :)

We are all happier!!!! Thanks to all for the suggestions :)

[linda040899]

Glad the darker cover worked! Sometimes it's nice to mess with Mother Nature....... :happy:

[Chickobee]

Congratulations! This is good news.

[Pips mom]

I am like Kristi.....my birds sleep in later than I do! It's really not hard to get them on the schedule that you want. I do notice that darker dreary mornings they will sleep longer in the morning. Pip is always the first one up! but he's never been a very noisey bird and same is true in the morning. My Ivy screams every morning lately.....she's hormonal right now, BUT she doesn't make a peep until I uncover her in the morning and open the shades in the windows! Then....let the screaming begin!
Rudy is somewhat of a noisey little lovie, but only at certain times, but when he gets goin, boy can he make a racket! so yeah, they can be quite noisey when they want to be. I'm glad that your efforts to make the room darker in the morning is helping.
We have a house here so there even if someone complained, there is really not alot they can do.....if I have my windows open, my neighbors can hear Ivy screaming, but it can't be that bad because I can hear my nieghbors cockatoo scream too and it isn't THAT loud when you're hearing it from next door!

[Chickobee]

Your birds are still quite young and clutch mates will like being together. As they get older their relationship may change if they both happen to be females. Although two males will often get along well enough to share the same cage it is fairly rare for two females to do so.

As lovebird hens reach sexual maturity they will usually consider their cage as their personal territory and won't allow another hen to live there--literally. This can be deadly for the less dominant female, and this change can happen quite unexpectedly and suddenly.

Since you don't know the sex of your two birds you will want to be keeping a close eye on their interaction and watch for escalation of fighting that could lead to serious injuries.

Hopefully you have two males or a male and female.

I'm happy to hear that your solution to early morning noises is working so well, and also that your birds are getting to be more sociable with you. :)

[Carole]

What age do they reach sexual maturity? At this point, they will turn 6 months old on July 20th. I do have an extra cage, but I'm hoping that I don't have to separate them. Up till now they get along beautifully. Although I haven't had them sexed, I just have a feeling that they are male and female. Call it women's intuition :)

I'm also glad that our sleeping arrangements are better. I slept today till just after 9am. Both me and the birds are happier, as I'm not a grouch anymore :)

[linda040899]

Hi Carol,
I'm so very glad to hear that the birdie sleeping situation is resolving itself. I can see where it would tend to make everyone happier! :)

Many lovebirds begin maturing sexually when they are about 6 months old. I've known 7 month old hens that have incubated and hatched a clutch of eggs. (They were not my birds!!!) I have any number of female/female pairs that get along quite well, no squabbling at all. While you may not know their gender, the fact that they get along so well is encouraging. Hopefully, it will continue in that manner.

[Carole]

They do get along well. And they just took food from my fingers through the cage!! When I've tried to do that before, they always went to bite. But this time they took the food without trying to bite!! I'm so excited I want to do the dance of joy!! :)

Also, when I just fed them through the cage, when one took the food he/she shared it with the other one. Isn't that a trait of a male and female?

Carole

[Carole]

Also, at the birdie store, they told me that if I kept them covered for 12 hours a day, that if one was a female, it would stop her from going into breeding mode. Is that true? They also told me if I did find eggs in the cage to remove them after 3 or 4 days since the two are siblings.

Carole

[linda040899]

Isn't that a trait of a male and female?
Nope. Same sex pairs can mimic the behavior of a male/female to perfection, exception being either no eggs are produced or the eggs are infertile.

In order to slow down the onset of breeding mode, you need to allow the hen 8 hrs of daylight so 12 hrs won't do anything. Removing the eggs will usually only encourage the hen to lay more to replace the ones you took away, so that's also not a good idea. Should one of these 2 start to lay eggs, the best thing to do is hard boil each egg right after it's laid so that nothing will develop inside of the eggs. Then return the egg to the hen so she can continue to sit on it. It's never a good idea to mess with a hen's breeding cycle.

[Carole]

Oh, thanks, Linda! I'll do that.

They are so cute right now. They are cuddled together on their perch and having a little morning nap :)

And they took food from my fingers again this morning! Now I know how to get them to eat their fruity zupreem :) I have no problem with their seeds as they devour it every day :)

[Janie]

A Mockingbird singing at midnight will make a louder noise than a couple of lovebirds! We have a Mocker in my neighborhood and he loves to sit on the peak of my neighbors house and just sing his heart out.....starting at midnight!


:rofl:

I had to laugh when I read that, Linda! When my son was a freshman in college he called to tell me that "some bird" was making such a loud noise at night that he could not sleep. Of course, it was a mockingbird. I told him to buy ear plugs!