Hi, everyone! I am new on here and do not have a quaker, yet.
I figured you guys could help me out on a dilema I am having. I will apologize in advance, I am a long-winded writer!

Since I have had to rehome my dog and cat, (because of my dog snapping at my 2 year old daughter and I have recently realized I am allergic to my cat), my husband is entertaining the idea of letting me get a bird. I am a stay at home momma and have plenty of time to spoil the little bird. I want a bird that I can really interact with. I know a lot of that comes with proper training and attention (which I am willing to give).

I have been reading books and researching online about quakers and parrotlets. I have a friend that owns a pet shop and hand raises quakers. The vet she uses hand raises parrotlets. I actually got to cuddle with 2 quaker babies for a while after their feedings a couple of weeks ago.

From what I understand, quakers are about 6 inches bigger, can talk better, and tend to be more chattery than parrotlets. Our budget does not allow for us to spend a lot of money on our new addition to the family. BUT I do understand that they can live to be 30 years old--so I dont feel I should make my decision on how much money I would like to spend. I would rather wait and save more money to get what I felt would better fit us and our wants.

So after saying all that-

I wanted to find out from actual owners of quakers and various other birds, is there a big difference between the quakers and parrotlets (behavioural, communication, physical activity)? From what I have read in my research, I am leaning more towards getting a quaker, but I want to make sure I am making the right decision.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi and welcome to the flock
Do you know if you are allergic to feathers?

We have several members that have both QPs and P'letts. So hopefully they will be along soon.

I can't offer you much, because I've never actually owned a P'lett. They are adorable little birds with a very large personality (much like a QP!).

Just a reminder...Parrots (this applies to ALL species), even if they are handfed, can (and most will at some point or another) bite. So you will have to be just as diligent as you were with your dog to make sure your daughter doesn't get bit by a bird. With that being said, a smaller bird packs less of a bite (damage wise).

Good luck with your decision

I dont think parrotlets make that good of a companion bird. Great little birds but not for that. Some may argue this and it would be only their opinion just as this is mine. Just do your research and find a bird suited to what you want. Might i suggest that you do a little looking at the green cheek conure. Great little birds and not very pricey. Not a big talker but very loving and comical.

I am not sure if I am or not. I have an appointment with my asthma/allergy specialist this month and that would probably be a good question to ask.



I think pretty much any animal falls under that rule. I am very careful when it comes to her around any animals. My dog was eye was permantly damaged due to a cockle-burr getting stuck in her furr next to her eye damaging it. So now she is blind in one of her eyes making it very difficult to feel comfortable with a 2 year old running around.



I am looking for something talkative, but I will still look into them also. Thanks.

Welcome to the forum! Reading everything on this forum will definitely make you want a Quaker!

Quakers are more talkative and interactive and I think I agree with Kate, but I have never own a Parrotlets so I can't really comment.

We have only had Casey since January and everything has changed since we got her. She is like having a two year old around house. (which I guess you know a lot about!)

Owning a parrot can become expensive, even after you think of the one time expenses, like the bird and the cage. Their food (pellets and fresh foods), toys and vet visits definitely add up over time.

After all that rambling... I would definitely choose a Quaker, but you have to see what will fit into your lifestyle.

The parrotlet people should be around shortly...
Feel free to ask as many questions as you want... Good luck with your decision!

I have both a quaker and a green cheek conure. My little green cheek does talk. She doesn't have a big vocabulary. One thing you also know and that is that a quaker may not talk at all......just a thought. Welcome to the forum and good for you for doing your research.

I've had both a parrotlet, and am in the process of owning a Quaker.

I honestly fight both birds to be great pets, and i'll see what I can say about them...

In general, I find Parrotlets to be MUCH more active, they get cuddly, but they would much rather run around and get into trouble. They are very affectionate little creatures though, but they can be very moody. They also need a LARGE cage or a LOT of out of cage time, since they get bored easily and can start self-mutalating or be very very loud. They are a real in your face kind of bird, and I enjoyed having a parrotlet very much. I think the reason I didn't get another one was my attachment to my old one.

I haven't personally taken my Quaker home yet, but I from what i've read and known of mine, he is very very cuddly. More cuddly than a parrotlet was, and they are great talkers. My parrotlet was very vocal, but kind of in a more... in your face look at me kind of way
I find them to be much calmer birds, and not quite as needy, meaning that Hanzo likes to be with me, but won't freak out if he is away from my like my parrotlet was.
They are very different birds.
Parrotlets are hard to maintain behaviorly, as they act like little amazons that can be cuddly the next minute, and be chewing on you the next

Naturally, the decision is up to you, so do lots of research and good luck finding the perfect fid for ya!

Its good you are going to consult with your doctor about allergies and birds. Some people are seriously allergic to certain things about birds...one is feathers and the other is dust which varies from species to species. You might want to get tested to see if you are allergic to birds before making a commitment.

Its also good you are doing your research before you actually purchase a bird. I would like to add that even tho there are a multitude of books out there on the various species there is really no guarantee that your bird will talk etc..some quakers talk...others talk only in their cage...some dont talk at all as an example.

Purchasing a bird is not the biggest expense of owning one. Infact as most will tell you on this forum thats the cheapest part of bird ownership. Cage, toys, food, vet bills and important tests associated with ensuring good health all add up.

As I am sure your breeder friend will tell you owning a bird is alot different than having a dog or cat. Dont get me wrong it can be a rewarding experience but as much as they allow you to cuddle with them when they are little there will be some biting phases as well as other issues that will need to be addressed at different points of their lives.

if you haven't already done so... take a look at the quaker videos on this forum. just watching some of those videos made up my mind when trying to decide if a quaker was right for me.

my quaker is 5 months old and what a personality he has! you have to be prepared though... not all quakers talk. and even when they do... its not always fun. cricket repeats the same word sometimes for 3 hours at a time.

i'm sure you already know that birds aren't the most quiet creatures on Earth. they can be loud and boisterous but just hearing him say "gimme kiss?" makes up for all his noise!

Thank you all for your words of advice and Azale for comparing the two (BTW-Happy Birthday Azale). I know not every bird will act one way, but it helps to hear what their tendencies are.

I have really bad allergies and allergy related asthma so looking into that more would definately be good. I didnt ever think about being allergic to feathers or their dust. I sleep with a goose down blanket and pillow (which maybe I shouldnt admit that on a bird forum!!!) and I am not allergic to those. Would that be considered the same?

Trust me, owning a great dane really taught me about added extra costs (easily $80 a month in food) and I constantly was taking my ******zu to the vet because her hineyness was allergic to fleas (all it took was one) and had dry itchy skin. lol. I am lucky that my friend owns her own pet shop and she is willing help me get started.

As far as talking, it would be great if I could teach my bird to talk, but I am not going to get mad and give it to the neighbors because it won't. It may get frustrating and I would come here to ask you guys what I am doing wrong, but if in the end it doesnt then that is okay, too. I just dont want a bird that is going to sit in its cage all day while I look at it. That couldnt be fun for the bird.

Anyways-I think I am going to go check out the vids that kalipso2 suggested.

Thanks guys!!

Thanks for the birthday wish

Not for me I have a feather down bed and I have bird allergies. After owning birds for years, I was diagnosed last year with having them. For several months I was SO sick. I had a very hard time breathing and was constantly run down. But I seem to have it under control for the most part now.

Neither Quakers or Parrotlets are dusty birds, so you may be safe there. But I would still get it checked out. I would hate to see someone go through what I did (and I had a rather mild case...I was lucky enough to not have to rehome any birds, but I was seriously considering it for a while). It wasn't the sick part that bothered me, it was the thought of having to rehome my passion. I love birds and could not imagine being without them.

Yes I was going to say that if you have allergys stay away from Cockatiels , Cockatoos, Gala`s all the Too breeds are very dust and will play up with your allergys for sure ..
Go to a breeder or pet shop and familarise yourself with fids , see if you have any reaction..
Quakers are adorable , cute cuddle and head strong little birds that think they are 10 feet tall..
Make sure whichever type of bird you get all the family spend time with the bird because if you are the only one that spends time with the bird he/she will attach themselves to you and may bite the other family members if they get near you , you need to socialise the bird with all the members of your household..
Welcome to the group and Good luck..

I have been around my friends parrot a lot and haven't had any problems, but I don't hold her or really touch her for that matter! ha ha And like I said before, I cuddled with 2 baby quakers a few weeks ago, but they also don't live with me either. I will definately ask the doctor about it though and see if I can get tested for it.

I was thinking about the interaction between our family and our new quaker (when we get him) just the other day. I think my husband is going to love him and my daughter I think will, too. My biggest concern is how do you help a 2 year old interact with your bird without either one of them getting hurt. I know extreme caution is to be taken, but what kind of things can a 2 year old do with a bird? Do I just hold him and let her sit on my lap? Would that be enough interaction between them to get the birdy use to her (at least while she is so young)?