How Loud Is a Sun Conure? The Ultimate Decibel Guide for Bird Lovers

By Viola R Daigle | Published 12 April 2026 | Updated 11 November 2026

If you dream of a bright, sunny bird, you have likely seen the sun conure. Its orange and yellow feathers look like a small piece of sunshine. So how loud is a sun conure? Louder than most new owners expect, and this guide measures the noise in decibels.

But there is one thing every future owner must know first. They are very loud. This guide covers the numbers, the reasons, and how to live with the noise.

Contents

• What Is a Sun Conure?
• How Loud Is a Sun Conure? The Decibel Answer
• Comparing the Scream to Everyday Sounds
• How to Measure the Noise
• Why Do Sun Conures Scream So Loud?
• The Biological Reason for Their Volume
• Are Sun Conures the Loudest Parrots?
• How Long Do the Screaming Sessions Last?
• Can You Train a Sun Conure to Be Quiet?
• Are Sun Conures Good for Apartment Living?
• Tips for Managing the Noise at Home
• Protecting Your Own Hearing
• How the Noise Affects Other Pets
• Is the Noise Worth the Love?
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Sun Conure?

A sun conure is a medium-sized parrot from South America. It is social, smart, and very cuddly. Many owners call them "Velcro birds" because they stick to you all day.

They love toys and learning tricks. But their voice is just as big as their charm. In the wild, they live in large flocks in thick jungle.

In the jungle, they must scream to find their friends through the trees. At home, your family is their flock, so they use that same loud voice on you. Start with what a sun conure is if you are new to the bird.

How Loud Is a Sun Conure? The Decibel Answer

Let us get straight to the numbers. A healthy sun conure can reach about 120 decibels (dB). That is as loud as a rock concert or a jet plane taking off.

It is not a soft chirp. It is a strong, high-pitched scream that can ring in your ears. The sun conure is one of the loudest birds for its size.

Its 120-decibel scream can cause ear pain if you stand too close. Normal chatter is much softer, at about 60 to 70 decibels — like a normal talk or background music.

Sound	Decibels
Normal talk	60 dB
Busy traffic, vacuum cleaner	70 dB
Sun conure chatter	60–70 dB
Sun conure scream	120 dB
Chainsaw, rock concert	120 dB
Ambulance siren	120 dB

Comparing the Scream to Everyday Sounds

Sound	About how loud	Notes
Sun conure scream	120 decibels	High, sharp "REEE-REEE-REEE"
Chainsaw	About 120 decibels	Low rumble, heard from inside the house
Thin walls	Sound moves through doors and floors	Neighbours will hear your bird

When we say 120 decibels, it can be hard to picture. Think of a chainsaw cutting a tree outside. You can hear it from inside your house, right? A sun conure is just as loud as that chainsaw.

The pitch is the key difference. A chainsaw is a low rumble, while a sun conure's scream is a high "REEE-REEE-REEE". High sounds feel louder to human ears because they are sharper.

If your walls are thin, your neighbours will hear your bird. The sound moves through doors and floors with ease. It does not stay in one room.

How to Measure the Noise

You can measure a sun conure's scream with a sound-level meter. Put the meter near the bird in a quiet room, wait for a scream, and read the number.

Phone apps can also measure decibels, though they are less exact. Hold the phone near the bird and read the screen when it screams. Use ear protection while you test.

Do not test for long. A few screams are enough to prove the point, and your ears will thank you for stopping early.

Why Do Sun Conures Scream So Loud?

They do not scream to be mean. There are clear reasons for the noise, and knowing them helps you fix it:

• Contact calls: "I am here! Where are you?" If you leave the room, they call to find you.
• Morning and evening rituals: birds greet the day and the night with big yells.
• Excitement: coming home or a favourite treat can set off a scream.
• Fear or alarm: a strange cat or a loud vacuum can trigger the alarm call.
• Boredom: with no toys or attention, they scream just to pass the time.

Read why sun conures scream for the full list of triggers and fixes.

The Biological Reason for Their Volume

Sun conures come from the tropical forests of South America. These forests are full of tall trees and thick leaves. A lost bird cannot see its flock through the green.

It must use sound to stay safe. Their voices grew loud enough to cut through wind, rain, and other animals. They carry a long-distance radio in their throats.

Your living room is not a jungle, but the instinct stays. Your bird still yells loud and clear, just as its wild cousins do.

Are Sun Conures the Loudest Parrots?

At 120 decibels, sun conures are very loud, but they are not the top bird. Some big birds, like the Moluccan Cockatoo, can reach 135 decibels.

Yet sun conures often feel louder, because they scream more often. A macaw may scream once or twice a day. A sun conure may scream each time you enter the kitchen or the phone rings.

It is not just the peak volume. It is the habit — sun conures use their loud voice often, all day long. For comparison with other birds, a peacock call can reach 115 dB, a red-tailed hawk about 90 dB, and a robin's song about 70 dB.

How Long Do the Screaming Sessions Last?

The good news is that they rarely scream for hours on end. Most sun conures scream in bursts. A typical session lasts 5 to 10 minutes.

They do this most at dawn and dusk. If your bird screams all day, something is wrong — it may be lonely, hungry, or bored. Check food, water, toys, and sleep first.

A healthy, happy bird gives you a few loud minutes a few times a day. If you can live with ten minutes of chainsaw noise in your living room, you may be ready for a sun conure.

Can You Train a Sun Conure to Be Quiet?

You cannot make a sun conure fully silent. That would be like asking a person never to talk. But you can train it to be quieter.

• Reward silence: when the bird plays quietly with a toy, give it a treat.
• Ignore the screaming: if you run over or yell back, the bird thinks you joined in.
• Teach a whistle: a soft whistle that earns attention can replace a 120-decibel yell.

Stay calm and steady. Training takes weeks, not days, but it works. See how to keep a sun conure quiet for the full training plan.

Are Sun Conures Good for Apartment Living?

Question	Answer
Can neighbours hear a sun conure?	Yes, 120 decibels goes through walls
Best time for complaints?	Early morning, around 7:00 AM
Quieter choices	Cockatiels or green-cheek conures
Before you decide	Ask your landlord and talk to neighbours

Usually, the answer is no. At 120 decibels, the sound goes through walls with ease. Most neighbours will not enjoy a jet-engine sound at 7:00 AM each morning.

Many sun conures end up in rescues because owners get noise complaints from landlords. If you live in a flat, look at quieter birds like cockatiels or green-cheek conures, which are much softer.

Ask your landlord first, and talk to your neighbours. A little honesty now can save a sad rehoming later. Also read why sun conures are so loud before you choose.

Tips for Managing the Noise at Home

If the noise is getting too much, there are things you can do. Start with foraging toys that hide food — a busy beak cannot scream. Give out-of-cage time each day, since a tired bird is a quiet bird.

Keep a steady schedule for food, play, and sleep. Birds love routine, and routine cuts worry and screaming. Heavy curtains or foam on the bird-room walls can soften the sound.

Talk to your bird softly through the day. A bird that feels heard screams less. Small steps, done each day, add up fast.

Protecting Your Own Hearing

A sun conure scream on your shoulder can harm your hearing over time. Keep earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones close by for the morning screaming fit.

Do not keep the cage in a small, echo-filled room. Hard walls bounce the sound back and make it feel even louder. A larger room with soft furnishings helps a lot.

Never let the bird scream right next to your ear. Move it to your hand or a perch, and step back until the burst passes.

How the Noise Affects Other Pets

A screaming sun conure affects dogs and cats too. Loud noise can scare them or make them anxious. Some pets hide, while others bark or pace.

Give other pets a quiet room of their own. Separate spaces and soft soundproofing help every animal in the house. Watch how each pet reacts and adjust the setup.

If a dog or cat stays stressed, talk to your vet. A calm home needs a plan for all pets, not just the bird.

Is the Noise Worth the Love?

After all that noise talk, you may feel unsure. But sun conures are loved for a reason. They are loyal, they dance when they see you, and they snuggle under your chin.

They are like small feathered toddlers — loud, messy, and full of love. For many owners, the scream is just the price of such a bright friend.

If you have a house, kind neighbours, and lots of patience, a sun conure may be the best pet you ever have. Learn when sun conures start talking, whether sun conures can whistle, and whether sun conures are good for beginners before you bring one home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a sun conure's scream cause permanent hearing loss?

Yes, if it screams right into your ear again and again at 120 decibels, it can cause damage. Do not let the bird scream next to your ear, and use earplugs when needed.

Are male sun conures louder than females?

No. Both males and females can reach 120 decibels. Sex does not usually change how loud the scream is.

Is there a quiet time of day for sun conures?

Yes. They are usually quietest in the middle of the day, when they nap, and at night when it is dark. Dawn and dusk are the loudest times.

Does getting a second bird make them quieter?

No — it usually makes things louder. Two birds scream to each other, so you get two 120-decibel voices instead of one.

Do sun conures scream when they are sick?

Usually, no. Sick birds often go very quiet and still. If your normally loud bird suddenly stops making noise, take it to an avian vet.

Which conure is the loudest?

The sun conure is the loudest conure, known for high, ear-piercing calls up to 120 decibels. Green-cheek conures are much quieter by comparison.

Disclaimer: Decibel figures are typical peak values, not a guarantee for any one bird. Loudness varies by bird, room, and distance. This guide is general care information, not veterinary or medical advice.