Hi. My name is Von and I adopted a quaker parrot from my brother...have had him for 2 months now.
I decided to search the web for some information on parenting a bird- as this is my first.
My brother owned a bird for years - but one day while doing their usual bath outside, the bird decided to take flight. My brother chased him and tried for hours to retrieve him...to no avail. Then, several months later, this "new bird" Roxey, flew out of the trees and landed on his friends shoulder ( sounded like an answered prayer to me ) but my brother decided he could not spend enough time with Roxey...so I adopted him.
Roxey is very skiddish...I have never yet been able to touch him...pet his feathers etc. He has on occasion, climbed onto my shoulder and walked around the house with me - but only on his terms...and not without biting me several times.
Mammals has always taken to me rather quickly and I was wondering if this skiddish behavior is typical of Quaker Parrots? I have a lot of patience and will definately win him over (eventually) but my heart is weighing a little heavy because I so much want to be his best friend.
Thank you so much for having this website. I LOVE the movies and enjoy reading the posts.
I will be around often! Thanks again, Von
Full Version: So Glad To Find This Site!
welcome to the flock.
it takes longer time for a bird to adjust to its new surroundings than it would be for a dog or cat.
they will always be skittish of new things btw it doesnt take much for them to just fly off when they are afraid.
being patient is the best thing you can do and open the cage and allow him to come out on his own. lots of ppl will tell you all about step ups which is what you will work on next. having your birds wings clipped always helps during the training period.
the biggest part of it all is getting your bird to trust you once you have that then you will have the best companion bird ever. always look for body language when they have had enough and take him back to his cage so that the next time you want him to come out he will be more eager as being out of the cage is fun etc...
good luck with your new bird and cant wait to see piccies
it takes longer time for a bird to adjust to its new surroundings than it would be for a dog or cat.
they will always be skittish of new things btw it doesnt take much for them to just fly off when they are afraid.
being patient is the best thing you can do and open the cage and allow him to come out on his own. lots of ppl will tell you all about step ups which is what you will work on next. having your birds wings clipped always helps during the training period.
the biggest part of it all is getting your bird to trust you once you have that then you will have the best companion bird ever. always look for body language when they have had enough and take him back to his cage so that the next time you want him to come out he will be more eager as being out of the cage is fun etc...
good luck with your new bird and cant wait to see piccies
Welcome to the forum! yes quakers can be very shy of new things. They are often referred to as little green chickens. If you can find out what his favorite treat is start using that as a reward when he does what you want him to do - like step up - he will learn.
Almond slivers work well with many qps. Since she was on her own for a while she may take a little longer to tame down again. Good Luck!
Almond slivers work well with many qps. Since she was on her own for a while she may take a little longer to tame down again. Good Luck!
QUOTE (IMPduJour @ Jun 24 2007, 07:22 PM) 
welcome to the flock.
it takes longer time for a bird to adjust to its new surroundings than it would be for a dog or cat.
they will always be skittish of new things btw it doesnt take much for them to just fly off when they are afraid.
being patient is the best thing you can do and open the cage and allow him to come out on his own. lots of ppl will tell you all about step ups which is what you will work on next. having your birds wings clipped always helps during the training period.
the biggest part of it all is getting your bird to trust you once you have that then you will have the best companion bird ever. always look for body language when they have had enough and take him back to his cage so that the next time you want him to come out he will be more eager as being out of the cage is fun etc...
good luck with your new bird and cant wait to see piccies
it takes longer time for a bird to adjust to its new surroundings than it would be for a dog or cat.
they will always be skittish of new things btw it doesnt take much for them to just fly off when they are afraid.
being patient is the best thing you can do and open the cage and allow him to come out on his own. lots of ppl will tell you all about step ups which is what you will work on next. having your birds wings clipped always helps during the training period.
the biggest part of it all is getting your bird to trust you once you have that then you will have the best companion bird ever. always look for body language when they have had enough and take him back to his cage so that the next time you want him to come out he will be more eager as being out of the cage is fun etc...
good luck with your new bird and cant wait to see piccies
Welcome to the forum! 
I agree with the others, give give him some time to adjust considering you don't know how long he was outside. Patience is defintiely the key! 
Again, Welcome... and feel free to jump in at any time!
I agree with the others, give give him some time to adjust considering you don't know how long he was outside.
Patience is defintiely the key! Again, Welcome... and feel free to jump in at any time!
(Gosh, I hope I am doing this right)
Thanks for the warm welcome. I took Roxey to the Vet just this past Thursday for a wing clipping, nails and beak filing. The Vet says he is in great health, not over weight, no parisites, etc. And, actually, the Vet trip seemed to have calmed him down some...he was a little aggressive prior to the trip.
We don't know how long he was in the wild...but it is safe to assume he has had at least 3 owners...the privious one, my brother and now me.
I currently don't have the tools required to share pictures...but it will happen soon. He is so PRETTY, such a beautiful green color.
Got a question ~ if his owner speaks spanish, would he learn to talk in spanish? I can understand hello (it is related with the telephone) but he has something else he rambles that honestly sounds spanish to me.
Thanks for the warm welcome. I took Roxey to the Vet just this past Thursday for a wing clipping, nails and beak filing. The Vet says he is in great health, not over weight, no parisites, etc. And, actually, the Vet trip seemed to have calmed him down some...he was a little aggressive prior to the trip.
We don't know how long he was in the wild...but it is safe to assume he has had at least 3 owners...the privious one, my brother and now me.
I currently don't have the tools required to share pictures...but it will happen soon. He is so PRETTY, such a beautiful green color.
Got a question ~ if his owner speaks spanish, would he learn to talk in spanish? I can understand hello (it is related with the telephone) but he has something else he rambles that honestly sounds spanish to me.
Welcome to the forum!
Bless you for rescuing this little birdie.
I found when Chica first came to live with me that lots of communication was important. Talk, sing, whistle and whisper to your little green chicken and that will help to gain trust in your relationship. Before long, you will have the best friend ever.
Good luck to both of you!
Lizz and Chica the wonder bird.
Bless you for rescuing this little birdie.
I found when Chica first came to live with me that lots of communication was important. Talk, sing, whistle and whisper to your little green chicken and that will help to gain trust in your relationship. Before long, you will have the best friend ever.
Good luck to both of you!
Lizz and Chica the wonder bird.
Welcome to the forum!!!!
I bet the wing clipping helped with that agression. Sometimes birds who are fully flighted can become aggressive, as they have more freedom.
I would suggest you keep him off your shoulder until you know his manerism better. I would hate to see him take a chunk out of your cheek (or get an eye).
As for the talking Spanish bit, yeppers!!! You're little birdie could very well be fluent in Spanish
I bet the wing clipping helped with that agression. Sometimes birds who are fully flighted can become aggressive, as they have more freedom.
I would suggest you keep him off your shoulder until you know his manerism better. I would hate to see him take a chunk out of your cheek (or get an eye).
As for the talking Spanish bit, yeppers!!! You're little birdie could very well be fluent in Spanish
Welcome to the forum. It is a good thing that you have a lot of patience because you will need it with Roxey. Quakers are great birds and you will have lots and lots of fun.
Hi Von, welcome to the Zoo...you're going to love living here...this place is very addictive.
Its good to hear that Roxey has been vet checked and got good reports.
I agree with Carrie that the wing trim probably had a lot to do with him calming down. And I too recommend keeping him off your shoulder until you get to know him better and vice versa. If you'll take the time to read through some of the archived posts you'll find out a lot of things about quakers. Parrots in general have a pecking order and those that are the highest ranking in the flock take the highest perch and its a superiority thing...the shoulder is considered a high perch and that gives them a feeling of superiority over you...so Until you are sure that Roxey will step up and listen to you without biting etc...I'd keep him off...as was said...we'd hate for you to lose some flesh on your cheek, ear or possibly suffer an eye injury...its very possible!
Again, welcome to the forum and please feel free to ask as many questions as you have and feel free to join in anywhere.
Its good to hear that Roxey has been vet checked and got good reports.
I agree with Carrie that the wing trim probably had a lot to do with him calming down. And I too recommend keeping him off your shoulder until you get to know him better and vice versa. If you'll take the time to read through some of the archived posts you'll find out a lot of things about quakers. Parrots in general have a pecking order and those that are the highest ranking in the flock take the highest perch and its a superiority thing...the shoulder is considered a high perch and that gives them a feeling of superiority over you...so Until you are sure that Roxey will step up and listen to you without biting etc...I'd keep him off...as was said...we'd hate for you to lose some flesh on your cheek, ear or possibly suffer an eye injury...its very possible!
Again, welcome to the forum and please feel free to ask as many questions as you have and feel free to join in anywhere.
Hi Von
Welcome! This is probably the most comprehensive list on the web.
I find the quickest way to get a rapport with a bird, is to start clicker training it.
Some birds require a lot of training, and other just need to learn target training. It's a great way to interact with your bird, because you're both having fun...
I like BirdClick at yahoo groups.
Duke, a green cheek conure, came to me in February this year. He was an aggressive, screaming bird. I started training him, and he learned a lot of tricks, and now he's a lovely pet. He has lots of self confidence and a wicked sense of humour.
Out of all my birds, only 2 are not rescues. I work shift work, and often have to sleep during the day... The birds are quiet, while I sleep. They must be the best behaved flock in the world.... lol...
Welcome! This is probably the most comprehensive list on the web.
I find the quickest way to get a rapport with a bird, is to start clicker training it.
Some birds require a lot of training, and other just need to learn target training. It's a great way to interact with your bird, because you're both having fun...
I like BirdClick at yahoo groups.
Duke, a green cheek conure, came to me in February this year. He was an aggressive, screaming bird. I started training him, and he learned a lot of tricks, and now he's a lovely pet. He has lots of self confidence and a wicked sense of humour.
Out of all my birds, only 2 are not rescues. I work shift work, and often have to sleep during the day... The birds are quiet, while I sleep. They must be the best behaved flock in the world.... lol...
hi von, welcome!
you'll find a lot of answers and pratical advice on this site.
i have 2 blue quakers (squirt & sqeak ) about 20 weeks old from the same hatch.
both are talking but they are chalk & cheese , sqeak is very tame and easily handled but squirt is very timid or skiddish like your bird , it's a bit of a lucky dip with this guy's , you don't know how they are gonna turn out. hopefully squirt will come out of his shell soon ,as will yours. some quakers take longer than others, regs, milo
you'll find a lot of answers and pratical advice on this site.
i have 2 blue quakers (squirt & sqeak ) about 20 weeks old from the same hatch.
both are talking but they are chalk & cheese , sqeak is very tame and easily handled but squirt is very timid or skiddish like your bird , it's a bit of a lucky dip with this guy's , you don't know how they are gonna turn out. hopefully squirt will come out of his shell soon ,as will yours. some quakers take longer than others, regs, milo
Hi! And welcome from one Von to another!! (Is yours short for Yvonne too?) Sounds like you are doing great with Roxy, I have 4 quakers (plus a few more fid) Now that you have a bird be very careful because it can cause MBS (multiple bird syndrome) As someone once told me they are like potatoes chips.....you can't have just one! This is a great place with a whole lot of helpful and friendly people.
Hi Von, Welcome to the forum!!!
You have already received some excellent advice so I don't have much to add in that respect. Just continue to give him lots of love and he'll start to respond to it soon.
It's good to have you on board.
You have already received some excellent advice so I don't have much to add in that respect. Just continue to give him lots of love and he'll start to respond to it soon.
It's good to have you on board.
WELCOME from me and The Boys downunder...This is a great group I am sure you will love it and learn lots too...
Thank you ALL so much for the helpful information...and especially about keeping Roxey off my shoulder until I understand him better.
I want to bond with my brid - but I like my ears eyes and cheeks too! And~ as ironic as it is, I met a guy that had a glass eye and he told me his bird took out his real one!!!!
I will be reading the forum posts, and try to get as much info about Quakers as I can.
The wing clipping did calm him down, and he is as skittish today as he was yesterday - so time will tell.
Thanks again for the warm welcome.
Oh, btw, von is short for Yvonne - that is how my neices used to say my name, when they were babies...and it stuck
I want to bond with my brid - but I like my ears eyes and cheeks too! And~ as ironic as it is, I met a guy that had a glass eye and he told me his bird took out his real one!!!!
I will be reading the forum posts, and try to get as much info about Quakers as I can.
The wing clipping did calm him down, and he is as skittish today as he was yesterday - so time will tell.
Thanks again for the warm welcome.
Oh, btw, von is short for Yvonne - that is how my neices used to say my name, when they were babies...and it stuck
Hello and welcome....as far as your bird speaking spanish..yes it can and will happen if he has heard it..in my house we speak english and spanish and my birds will speak both and when the phone rings usually they answer in spanish..they will say bueno which is what my hubby says when he answers his cell phone..sometimes it is just to funny
QUOTE (von51 @ Jun 26 2007, 06:25 PM)
I want to bond with my brid - but I like my ears eyes and cheeks too! And~ as ironic as it is, I met a guy that had a glass eye and he told me his bird took out his real one!!!!
The wing clipping did calm him down, and he is as skittish today as he was yesterday - so time will tell.
Oh, btw, von is short for Yvonne - that is how my neices used to say my name, when they were babies...and it stuck
The wing clipping did calm him down, and he is as skittish today as he was yesterday - so time will tell.
Oh, btw, von is short for Yvonne - that is how my neices used to say my name, when they were babies...and it stuck
Yeah I heard of a lady with a maccaw who was jealous of her hubby. And the hubby would tease him saying no she's my mommy. One time the maccaw got so upset he took out the woman's eye. That sad part is she got rid of the bird instead of the husband.
Von is my nickname friends use, vonnie is what family has always called me, short for Yvonne Kay
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That was SO funny! Thanks for the chuckle!
That was SO funny! Thanks for the chuckle!
Hi Von! With time these Quakers are real buddies!
Theyre so loyal and sweet and smart they watch and learn everything! Everytime I cooked or cleaned I would say "Mommas cookin" (or cleanin) and now its Mommas cookin all the time lol! etc they know what youre doing and will say things in context. Theyre wondeful smarties! Time will change everything with you and your fid.
Oh I have a green QP and a loud Sun conure!
Janet
Theyre so loyal and sweet and smart they watch and learn everything! Everytime I cooked or cleaned I would say "Mommas cookin" (or cleanin) and now its Mommas cookin all the time lol! etc they know what youre doing and will say things in context. Theyre wondeful smarties! Time will change everything with you and your fid.
Oh I have a green QP and a loud Sun conure!Janet
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