This is the first I've ever heard of a rat bird being trapped in someone's wheel well
I'm not sure I understand exactly what type of noise you're talking about. I'm thinking of how a pigeon sounds and I can't relate that to any suspension noise I've ever heard.
How far do you want to lower your car? That will pretty much determine what setup is best for you. Shocks and struts serve the same purpose, just in different forms.