Facts published by | Mackay Regional Council | © 2016

stimulation and replicates wild bird behaviour.

• Donotrewardyourbirdbygiving it attention whilst squawking.

• Positivelyrewardthebirdwitha toy, treat and verbal praise when it is behaving quietly.

• Increasingstressonthebirdbyyelling, hitting the bird or cage, spraying with water etc. can make noise worse and lead to other issues.

• Ifyourbirdismakingnoisedueto loneliness, you may want to consider finding a new home foryourpetuntilyourlifestyleis better suited towards having a pet. An alternative would betogetanotherbirdforcompanionship but this needs to be considered in relation to your individual circumstances.

Why birds make noise • Boredandlonelybirdstendto

make more noise than ones that are occupied.

• Birdsliketocommunicatetootherbirds,includingtherestofthe flock, particularly when lost.

• Unhappyorsickbirdscanmakeloud noise or in a repetitive patternforalongperiodoftime.

• Jealousyorachangetoroutineorfamiliarity(e.g.changeorlossofafamilymember)

• Achangeinenvironmentorinadequate sleep may cause birds to stir.

• Somebirdsmaycelebratethesunrise or sunset.

• Whenafraid,birdscanmakea noise to warn others about danger.

How to control bird noise

Bird noise can be controlled through several small behavioural changes.

• Ensurethatthebirdsbasicneedsaremet–food,water,toys.

• Offeranalternativeoutletforthebirdtoplayandgetexercises – consider a play gym,supervisedout-of-thecage play, or leaving the television or radio on.

• Non-toxiccardboarditemssuchas tree branches with leaves, paper cups and old phone bookscanbeentertainingforyour bird.

• Tryhidingtoysandfoodinplaces which the bird has to foragetofindit.Workingforthe reward provides mental

Noisy birds

Facts published by | Mackay Regional Council | © 2016

Neighbours

Talktoyourneighbourabouttheproblem; they may not be aware that their bird is making noise or thatitisbotheringyou.Ifyouareuncomfortableaddressingtheissue in person, council suggests writing a letter to your neighbour. Youcanalsoattachthisfactsheetforusefultechniquesonhowtocontrolthelevelofnoise.Giveyour neighbour time to address the issue.

Ifthenoisepersists,councilwill require you to complete a noisy bird survey. Council require documented evidence ofnuisanceinstancestobecollectedbeforetheissuecanbeescalated.ThishelpsLocalLawOfficerstoidentifythecauseofthenuisance,allowingthemto better assist owners when resolving the issue.

Thenoisybirdsurveymustbeformallylodged(itcannotbeanonymous)asthisdocumentation supports escalationaction.Thesurveyisrecorded,bythecomplainantforaperiodofsevendaysandthenmust be returned within seven daysofcompletion.

Thisfactsheet,atemplateletterto address the issue with your neighbour, and the barking dog survey are all available on the council’s website by searching noisy birds.

Tofurtherprogressdiscussionswith your neighbours in a structuredformat,theDisputeResolutionCentreoffersfreeadvice and mediation services. VisittheDepartmentofJusticeandAttorneyGeneral’swebsiteat www.justice.qld.gov.au or alternatively contact the Central Queensland branch on 1800 817 927.

What will council do?Afteranoisybirdsurveyhasbeensubmitted to council, Regulatory Serviceswill,ifnecessary,surveyadjoining neighbours to determine ifothershavesimilarconcerns.Thiswillallowustojudgetheextentoftheimpactontheimmediate community. IftheallegednuisanceisproventobeabreachofMackayRegionalCouncilLocalLawNo2(AnimalManagement)2011, council may issue the owner with compliance notices and/orpenaltyinfringementnotices.TheLocalLaws

database is available on council’s website under ‘Residents’.Theidentityofthecomplainantwill remain confidential in any correspondencefromcouncil.Theownercandisputethecomplaint, as they have the right tohavethematterheardbeforeaMagistrate’sCourt.Ifthishappens,thecomplainant(s)willbe required to provide evidence in person. A more detailed statementoraffidavitmayberequested, as council must be satisfiedthatsufficientevidenceis available to support legal action.

For more information visit the website mackay.qld.gov.au,phone council on 1300 MACKAY (1300 622 529), or email council@mackay.qld.gov.au.

Noisy birds