Being the smaller version of parrots with long tail feathers and colorful plumage, the Parakeets are an ideal choice for a pet bird, especially for those who have no experience of caring for birds. They are highly social, fun to be around, thrive in human company, and are low-maintenance as far as pet birds are concerned.
Although most of the parakeet-owners tend to devote at least an hour to play with their feathered pets every day, how many have actually tried to play music for them?
Do Parakeets like music? Yes, being social birds, the Parakeets are habituated to being surrounded by noise. They not only like music but respond actively to it. Most of these birds prefer to listen to pop or calm music, but natural sounds are good for them as well. Anything with repetitive beats and rhythms works well; only it shouldn’t be too loud. Loud music often causes anxiety and fear in the parakeets.
To many Parakeet-keepers, particularly the beginners, the idea of playing to their Parakeets might sound obsolete. However, the fact that they like music is not simply a far-traveled word of mouth but a tried-and-tested theory.
In this article, we are going to tell you everything you need to know about playing music to your Parakeets.
Do Parakeets prefer noise over silence?
Before we begin to talk about music, let us first find out whether the Parakeets prefer noise to silence. After all, listening to music is a somewhat noisy affair from an animal’s perspective. Most bird species avoid crowded urban spaces because of the noise they find there. Are Parakeets like that, too?
As we’ve mentioned time and again, Parakeets are highly social and interactive birds that live in flocks of thousands in the wild. When they’re together, you will hardly find them quiet. The same is true for the ones that live in captivity.
You will find them talking, singing, or chirping all day long. These birds do not do well when kept in a quiet environment. They’re only silent when they feel threatened, and being silent or kept in a silent environment for too long can have adverse effects on their health.
All this clearly indicates that Parakeets prefer noise to silence. This is why, as a loving pet parent, you should always find time to spend with your Parakeets and talk to them every single day. You should also keep at least two or more Parakeets at home so that they can chat with each other.
What kind of music do Parakeets like?
Apart from visiting your Parakeets regularly, there is another thing you can do to make them feel more at ease: playing music for them. Playing music for Parakeets is a way of interacting with them without even being in the same room. Just like any other kind of interaction, music makes them feel normal, even happy.
This is more important if you only have a single pet Parakeets. Being alone in a cage with no one to talk to can make Parakeets depressed. If they listen to music, they can sing along and cheer themselves up.
Now that you know that playing music for your feathered pet is good for them, what kind of music would you choose for them? We humans have plenty of options in music.
But what would best suit your parakeet? Let’s find out:
Natural sounds
Playing natural sounds for your Parakeets is the best alternative of music for them. In the wild, these birds often listen to the other birds chirping, wind blowing, the noise of the crickets at night, etc.
If you play these sounds for them at home, it will be similar to recreating their natural environment for them, and your Parakeets would appreciate it very much. It is particularly more beneficial when you’ve just brought a Parakeet home. Listening to familiar music will make them feel comfortable and at home.
Calming music
Most of us often listen to calming music just before going to bed. It is because it has a gentle, relaxing effect on us, doesn’t it? The same is true with your Parakeets. Calming music is easy on their ears and makes them feel calm.
Pop music and radio
Although pop music is quite different from what you should expect a Parakeet to like, we have noticed in many instances that the Parakeets respond actively to the pop music pouring out of a radio. Many Parakeets also enjoy listening to people talk on radios and can listen to it for hours.
Other genres
Once your Parakeets get used to listening to music, you can always introduce them to other genres, such as country or rap music, country music, etc. Just make sure not to force on them something that can be harsh on their ears.
Loud music
Loud music is never a good idea, for you as well as for your pet Parakeets. However, on your Parakeet, it will have a much more adverse effect than on you. Parakeets tend to get stressed and anxious when they listen to loud music, which can be detrimental to their health.
How would you find out if your Parakeet likes what you’re playing?
When you play music for your Parakeets, you must also be curious about whether or not they like what’s being played. It is fairly easy to figure out if your Parakeet agrees with the music that you’re playing.
Since the Parakeets are instinctively interactive, it is natural for them to express their approval or dismay of anything by their behavior or gestures.
If your Parakeets wake up from their sleep when you play a certain song and begin to chirp, they certainly like the music. They might even try to mimic the words or sing along.
These birds are also known to occasionally “dance” by bobbing their head up and down in the air when you play their favorites. Puffed out feathers, clicking and grinding of their tongue against their beaks are all positive body languages you can look for to affirm their taste.
On the other hand, if they do not like what you’re playing, they will most likely display their feelings by screeching, hissing, or howling. A slight shaking in their body and slicked back feathers are all signs that you should probably change the song.
Getting your Parakeet to choose a song
Parakeets are one of the most intelligent birds that are praised for their ability to communicate with humans. Have you ever wondered if these birds can somehow tell you about their musical preferences?
If you want your feathered pets to be able to express their taste in music, you will have to teach them a single trick.
First, you need to layout three or more different-colored cards in front of them. Assign to each of these cards a certain song. Now, every time your Parakeet picks a card, play the song that you’ve assigned to it.
In this manner, they will eventually figure out the cards they want to pick for you to play their favorite songs. This will be a fun and stimulating activity for them. You can even use this method to create a unique playlist of them, consisting of all their favorites.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Parakeets sleep in a day?
Parakeets need to sleep for a good 10-12 hours every day. They are mostly night-sleepers, which is why you should cover their cage with a sheet at night to make them feel safer. However, they can take a couple of naps during the day as well. These naps are not longer than about half an hour.
What kind of sounds do Parakeets produce when they are happy?
The sound that Parakeets produce when they’re happy is often called a “contented warble”, and sounds similar to a cat purring. They make these sounds most often while sleeping, preening themselves, listening to music, etc.
What plants can be toxic to my Parakeets?
There are many plants that are highly toxic to Parakeets. Some of the commons have been listed below:
- Amaryllis
- English Ivy
- Hemlock
- Jasmine
- Buttercup
- Azalea
- Iris
- Juniper
- Burdock
- Oak
- Nettle
- Red Maple
- Bracken fern
- Hemp
- Boxwood
- Milkweed
- Blue Bonnet
- Honey locust
- Laurel
- Boston Ivy
- Narcissus
- Poppy
- Tulip
- Belladonna
Apart from these, the seeds/pit, leaves, and barks of apple and avocado trees are also toxic to Parakeets.
Do Parakeets like music? (final takeaway)
Getting back to our original question: yes, Parakeets like music. In fact, playing music for them can do them a great deal of good.
If you’ve recently brought them home and they’re still adjusting to life in a cage, listening to natural sounds will give them a sense of familiarity and comfort in their new home. It can be a great pastime for them, and if they are the only inhabitant of the cage, it can make them feel less lonely.
Moreover, if you’re busy with something or need to go out for a while, you can leave the music on for them meanwhile. However, it is important to realize that music shouldn’t be used as an alternative to your interactions with them. It is an additional activity, and you should treat it just like that.