Inspired by a video I saw on here, I've been thinking about getting a parrotlet. Would this be good for my quaker? Will he get along with him. It's been me and Dobby for about 3 years so he's real spoiled.
I thought this particular breed would be nice because I have a selfish neighbor who stomps on the ceiling everytime she hears Dobby screech. (and he doesn't screech that much at all) I've read that parrotlets are the perfect "apartment bird." Is this true???

I don't know about Parrotlets but your Dobby is sure a cutie. Welcome-someone will know-

I love my little Dobby! I live alone so I wanted him to have a little brother.

Both Quakers and P'lets are pretty well known for their 'bossy' big bird attitudes so I'm not sure how well they would get along, but you really never know what could happen... I know that even though Casey doesn't physically play with our budgies she still likes the company and she likes having their happy chirps in the background... someone to talk to when we're not home!

There are a few members with both Q's and P'lets so hopefully someone will be able to help out!

I bought a little green cheek conure thinking my quaker parrot, Kiwi would get a long with Miss Gidget, my green cheek conure. It was NOT meant to be. They are in separate cages........and Hubby says NO MORE BIRDS!! You can NEVER guarantee that your quaker will get a long with another bird! In my case it is my green cheek that doesn't get along with my quaker!

If you PM NCVon I'm sure she'd be happy to help you. She has both quakers and parrotlets. I agree with Casey's mom though on them both being bossy little birds. Parrotlets are definitely cute but I'll stick with my quakers. I personally like the bigger bird.

Have you thought about a Pionus, they are a very quiet bird and are called the apartment bird. Plus the size is more equal and or slightly bigger than a quaker so it could probably hold its own.

How funny, Sandi, I thought conures had great temperments.
Dobby is definitely bossy but I think you're right, Casey's mom, he may enjoy disliking a little brother. It'll give him something to do.

I got a beta for him about two years ago. I had it in a bag and was unloading it with the groceries. Dobby sees it and say, "Mmmmm, that's good!"
I said "No, Dobby we're not going to eat it."

He would get jealous everytime I fed the fish. He'd even nip at me if he was close enough but then I caught him perching on the fish bowl. I even found harrison's bird pellets at the bottom of the bowl. I think he was trying to feed the fish!!! He saw me do it, right?

thanks, I've never heard of this one...off to go check it out...

While parrotlets are quieter they do not generally get along with any other birds, they don't even get along with other parrotlets unless they bond for mating. While pMy breeder pairs have to have a separation barrier so they can't see each other because they have been known to kill the mate and babies out of jealousy. Parrotlets are little and cute, they think they are the size of their Amazon cousins and will take on other comers. They are afraid of nothing, and it doesn't sound like Dobby would be happy with ANY new companions, Quakers tend to be too aggressive to other birds also. If you want a parrotlet by all means get it for you, but don't get another bird as a companion to your bird. In most cases they will not accept another bird willingly.

This is the most informative and authoritative site on parrotlets.

http://www.parrotletranch.com/

They are incapable of screaming, rather active, fun loving birds. I would not get one for a quaker. Quakers (at least mine) don't like sharing attention. But they can get along if yo get one for yourself.

Make sure you get one that's hand-fed and VERY WELL socialized. They make much better pets. If a quaker is neglected, I think it would just scream for more attention and get depressed. If a parrotlet is neglected, it will just get wilder and want to have less to do with you.

Well, I'm worried about Dobby getting depressed because I've got a heavier work load now but the sound of this thread leads me to believe he might be even less happier with a second bird in the home.
hmmm, I'll wait and ponder it over. Ideally, I'd like to get a second birds when the work slows down. I'm listening to him now in the other room and he's singing away. Perhaps happiness is teachable skill?
I checked out the Pionus and they are just as adorable as the parrotlet. I'm wondering if their disposition is better? I didn't get any facts on how they interact with other birds.

Quakers are remarkably resiliant birds and in my experience perfectly capable of providing themselves with hours of entertainment. I wouldn't worry too much about Dobby getting depressed because you have to work - as long as he has out of cage time with you and plenty of new and interesting toys he will most probably be just fine.

I have to say - I got my Quaker to keep my parrotlet company!

I love Sprite (the p'let). He is an absolutely adorable little bird, very affectionate, and absolutely thinks he's a giant dragon, not an itty bitty bird. I could never let the two of them out together, but I think they both benefit from having vocal company during the day. Sprite was a plucker (rescue birdy - no idea where he came from or his past life) and since we've had Pixie home, he's been letting his chest feathers grow in! He's my little green sparrow, and I wouldn't trade him for anything. He's also been trying new foods, and playing with toys, since he's been watching her. I'm really glad I got him his quaker girlfriend, even though they'll never live together.

Now - on the noise issue. He is quiet, for sure. However, he has learned that a quaker is a really good mouthpiece! If he gets tweeting, she will squawk at the top of her lungs. It's funny (and deafening) when they get going. So don't get a p'let thinking that they will be quiet. They are smart!

I think they do both like each other's company, they will call for each other if I have one of them out of the others' sight. I would recommend a parrotlet to anyone as a great pet!

The Pionus I've been around are or have been pretty sweet. In fact Andie had a breeding pair of Maximillian's that even though they were breeders were still friendly except when they were in the process of nesting or raising the chicks.

I have 2 Parrotlets and 1 QP. Cabo the QP could care less about the p'lets. I never have them out at the same time because Cabo is afraid of Hadji the little bird who thinks he is Giant birdzilla. I have the parrotlets in my home office since they are relatively quiet and Cabo is downstairs cause she isnt. I love plets, they are little monkeys. Luigi, is still in his quarentine phase he too likes to hang upside down. Male parrotlets are capable of some speech, it is not as clear as the QP. Hadji has been talking since he was three months old and has a bigger vocabulary than my QP. Hadji loves everyone, Cabo only likes me and Daddy.

Please visit talk parrotlet forum if you need more information. The people there are nice and always willing to talk about their parrotlets.

Good luck in you decision

I checked out the parrotlet forum the other night. There is a Pionus site as well. I will definitely think this through. thanks for all the info!