Sounds and Vocal Behavior

Wild populations of Cuban Parakeet have different types of vocalizations that can be categorized as: flight contact calls, soft warning calls, loud alarm calls, and socialization or "playing" calls. Gundlach (1876) describes the vocalization of the species in flight as sharp and very strong in proportion to the size of this bird. Sometimes the whole flock may fly silently, however, and it is common that when they stop, they so quietly to avoid detection by predators.

The "flock contact during flight" call is similar to the alarm call with high intensity and frequency, and is issued by almost all individuals in the group (Chapman 1892). It is common to hear this vocalization during takeoff or landing.

The "contact and light warning" calls are primarily emitted while feeding at the forest canopy and watching for potential predators. This vocalization can be described as kkkkeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrr," and can be heard after the two minute mark in this recording.

The loud alarm or warning calls of Cuban Parakeet are rapid and repeated calls that sound like a speaker and the sound is more metallic than scraping; they can be described as erh, erh, erh, erh. Parakeets sometimes give a series of vocal sequences, with pauses between each, and the frequency and volume of the call may increase at the approach of a perceived threat or predator. This type of vocalization is given mainly by members of the flock when they suddenly take flight at the detection of an intruder or predator.

Ssocialization or courtship calls are smooth and short (no more than 10 seconds) and sound like keirp-keirp-keirp.

Additional audio recordings of vocalizations of the Cuban Parakeet can be heard at Macaulay Library and at xeno-canto.

At close range, the wing and tail feathers produce a buzzing sound during rapid ascent or descent (Iñigo-Elias personal observations).