The Playful Quaker Parrot
|
by Shelly Lane Quaker Parrots are playful birds that seem to have a real sense of fun and humor. This article discusses how to encourage play in Quakers using toys and suggests interactive games which you can play with your bird. |
Like many of the other species of parrots, most Quaker Parrots are very playful. While I wouldn't call them the clowns or the acrobats of the parrot world, they seem to enjoy their toys and have a real sense of fun and playfulness.
Although I would label all seven of my Quaker Parrots as playful, I have heard from some owners who relate that their Quakers never touch their toys. Fortunately, this appears to be the exception rather than the rule. From what I've been able to determine from these conversations, it seems to be very important for a parrot to learn to play with toys while it's still young. If it doesn't, it is less likely that the bird will play with toys when it is older.
I recommend having two to three toys in the parrot's cage at all times. I try to provide a mix of destructible and indestructible toys. A toy that can be chewed and destroyed is a positive outlet for excess energy for the bird. In parrot stores and catalogs you will find a large variety of play toys. A toy made for a Cockatiel or Conure is often an appropriate size of toy for a Quaker Parrot.
Food can also be an inexpensive and fun "toy" for a pet bird. I have long been a fan of those kabob bird treat holders that allow you to place small pieces of veggies and fruits on a thin, stainless steel rod which is then hung from the top of the cage just like a toy would be.
You can also put pieces of pinwheel pasta or cheerios on the rod. Jungle Talk Bird Toys makes one that they call a Garden Kabob. My birds love theirs, and by using different foods you can create a different "toy" every day. (And shh, don't tell your feathered friend this, but it can also be a great way to get your parrot to try different types of foods that it normally wouldn't touch if placed in a food bowl.)
Another way to encourage playfulness in your Quaker Parrot is to play games with them. Peek-a-boo is a huge favorite in our house. Another game I play with my birds is "I'm gonna get your toe" - which is what I say to them as I playfully pretend to grab their toes. Don't be afraid to act silly around your parrot. Not only will they love it, but you might find you enjoy it just as much as they do!
4 Comments on The Playful Quaker Parrot »
December 5, 2007
sarah smith @ 8:17 pm:
hi im 17 and getting my first quaker,salem when he is weaned but right now hes all covered in down i was wondering are quakers as messy as some people try to depict them??
August 27, 2008
Natasha @ 3:44 pm:
I see in this part it says that one of the favorite games to play with the Quaker is "Peek-a-Boo" and I was wondering if someone would give me some versions of how you would play this game. I've read that before and the person would wrap their parrot in a towel after a bath and play it that way but I was curious to know what other forms, if any, there are?
September 11, 2008
Michelle @ 9:16 pm:
There are many ways to play peek-a-boo with your birds. Sometimes, when our quaker, Seymour, is in my lap, I'll put my hand over his eyes and say "Where's Seymour!?" Then when I take my hand off, I say "peek-a-boo!". He is getting to the point where he will pop his head up from behind my hand and yell it for himself. Another thing you can do is use a towel, cover up his head with just a corner of it, and when you uncover him say "peek-a-boo". Our last quaker would run to the back of his cage and not look at me….when I would say "where's Pepper?" he would turn around and run to the front of the cage and yell "Peek-a-boo!". We play it many different ways, just do what ever is the most fun for the bird.
November 6, 2008
Twinflower @ 9:13 pm:
How do you teach a bird to roll over, or at least lay on it's back?