My New Parrot Is Very Quiet

Wondering why your new parrot is very quiet?

Your new parrot is unfamiliar with both you and your place.

So, chances are that it is just taking its time to adjust to its new surroundings.

Though, if your new bird is not eating or digesting properly, it may be a cause of concern. 

In this article we’re going to go into more detail and discuss the following 

  • Why your parrot is quiet?
  • How to tell if your parrot is sick
  • What to do when you first get a parrot?
  • How long it takes for a parrot to get used to a new home
  • How do you transition a parrot to a new home?
  • Why your talkative bird is silent?

Lots to cover and some really interesting things you’re going to learn

Sound good?

Let’s get started!

So you’ve got a new parrot

And you’re expecting your birdie to be talkative and noisy

But it’s actually the other way round

It can be worrying right?

Let’s find out why this is happening..

Why Is My Parrot So Quiet?

It’s probably because your parrot is not comfortable yet.

Don’t panic.

Consider it from your bird’s perspective. 

He is young and tiny.

The only thing familiar to him has been his old cage or his previous breeder.

But you have brought him to your strange place and a different cage.

Also, you are big and kinda scary (Not in a bad way!) 

So, your bird needs time to understand that you are a friend and not a threat.

Furthermore, if that parrot is your only bird, he is lonely.

So, it is only fair that you allow your bird to have some time to settle in.

In time, that parrot will come to you. 

Related article – How to keep parrots entertained

This is all new stuff to you

This bond with you and your parrot will definitely grow into something beautiful

What to Do When You First Get a Parrot?

Here is a list of things that you must consider while getting your first parrot,

1. Regular Vet Visits

Take your bird to a vet before you take him home.

A vet will guide you regarding:

  1. Your parrot’s health state. This will protect both you and all other members of your bird family from any kind of new disease or infection.
  2. Diet schedules and charts for your bird according to his species, age, and weight. 
  3. Regular behaviors and common issues.
  4. The recommended cage volume.
  5. The preferred type of toys and activities.
  6. Schedule for trimming nails, beaks, or feathers.

2. Cage Size

You can make do with a small cage, if your parrot is young say, 2-8 weeks old.

However, once your bird starts flapping its wings, it will need a bigger cage.

How much bigger?

Honestly, no cage is big enough for any bird.

You must buy a cage that at least fits your bird’s minimum requirements.

Honestly,  

Get the biggest cage you can afford. 

I would recommend something like this

Prevue Pet Products Wrought Iron Flight Cage 

You can check it out over on Amazon by clicking here

If you are deciding where to put the cage, then consider the following: 

  1. If your new parrot is your only bird, then I suggest you keep that bird in your living room, where your family spends most of its time.

This way, your bird will familiarize itself with you and hopefully, will come to trust you.

  1. If you already have a bird family, I suggest you still keep that bird in your living room for at least one week. After that, move your new parrot closer to other cages, but in a separate cage.  

Allow the birds to get acquainted with each other, for at least 2-3 weeks.

After that, you can introduce that new parrot to the same cage as others.

3. Cage Placement

That cage is your bird’s home and so, it should be the safest place for him.

Therefore, you must be extra cautious with cage position and placement.

Ideally, you should put the cage against a wall, at least 3 feet above ground level.

Why? Because:

  1. A parrot prefers high spots, like tree branches, to hide from predators. And so, you shouldn’t put a cage directly onto the floor.

I discourage hooked or hanging cages, as they may be a bit shaky. Use a cage stand or standard table.

  1. Keeping the cage against a wall will permit visitors to come from either front or side. So, no one will be able to sneak up from behind. And so, your bird will feel sheltered.

4. Diet

Your bird diet should be a variety of foods and not just some seeds.

Give only the recommended amount of food.

Try giving moisture-rich foods if your bird has only started weaning.

Notice what your parrot loves to eat the most.

I suggest you remove that favorite food item from regular feed and use that as a treat while training your parrot.

How Long Does It Take a Parrot to Get Used to New Home?

The exact time may depend on both your handling and your parrot’s species.

Generally, small parrots like cocktails or budgies may take around 2-4 months to get comfortable around you.

While larger birds like Macaws or African greys may get used to their new homes within 2-5 weeks.

After that, parrot parents call me up and ask how to quieten their birds down. 

Not even Kidding.

That aside, some parrots may take longer than usual to socialize.

It is because all parrots have unique personalities.

So, maybe your parrot is just a shy one.

Let’s look at how you can transition your parrot into your home

How Do You Transition a Parrot To a New Home?

The trick is to be extremely gentle and patient. 

And of course, bribing the parrot with its favorite treats.

Here are a few of the things that will help you transition your bird to a new home.

1. No Surprises

Never approach your bird without a warning. 

A bird doesn’t like being surprised. Why? 

Cause surprise normally means, “I am a predator and boo! You are dead”.

Call out to your bird softly and then walk slowly towards it, while maintaining eye contact.

Back away slowly if your bird tries to move back.

2. Be Trustworthy 

Always talk politely to your bird. He is small and takes everything to the heart.

Don’t caress your bird if he tries to avoid or bite you. Let your bird come to you

Though, some bird breeders suggest that you need to be dominant to your bird for the first few weeks, to become the leader of your bird flock.

However, I reject these theories. 

Your bird will listen to you only when it trusts you. 

3. Familiarize with Your Hands

Your bird needs to know that your hands are not a threat. 

So, whenever you approach the bird show him your hands.

Try feeding him his favorite treats through your hands.

In time he will start to step onto your hands or hop onto you.

Once your parrot becomes accustomed to you, try spending time with him outside his cage. 

4. Giving Personal Space

Make sure to let your bird have some alone time.

This will take away the exhaustion of bonding.

Also, the bird will be okay without your being in the same room, all the time.

Another question that may arise is what if your parrot is not shy but not feeling well?

How To Tell If My New Parrot Is Sick And Not Just Quiet?

If your new bird is refusing to eat or has abnormal droppings, then he may be sick.

I encourage you to immediately contact a vet, as your bird may have:

  1. A food morsel lodged in the trachea.
  2. Infection or inflammation of the respiratory tract
  3. Pneumonia 
  4. Trauma

However, only an avian expert can properly diagnose the underlying cause.

If your bird has only recently exhibited abnormal behavior, you may wonder: 

Why Has My Parrot Stopped Talking? 

I recommend you immediately rush to a vet.

Why?

Well, birds tend to hide weaknesses and therefore, sickness.

It protects them from becoming an easy target for predators.

Therefore, only an extremely sick bird will show behavioral changes

So, if your parrot that normally talks a lot, has suddenly turned quiet.

Then, it is highly likely that he is unwell and too tired to talk. 

If this is the case then a visit to the vets is important!

Related article – My parrot is not speaking 

Wrapping Up 

A new parrot may get overwhelmed with unfamiliar surroundings and may become quiet.

However, with the right approach, your bird will open up to you.

You must develop trust and make sure your bird is comfortable at your place.

But if anything doesn’t feel okay, the best thing to do is take your birdie to the vets and seek professional advice 

 

 

We at birdcageshere.com write about bird health and diet however it should not be taken as medical advice. For advice on your bird you need to seek out an avian vet. The information you find on birdcageshere.com is for educational purposes only. At birdcageshere.com we are not liable for any information that you may find on here. Birdcageshere is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice about your bird.