Hello! My name is Claudia and I live in Illinois. I am married and we have an 11-year old son (he'll be 12 next month--yikes). My son has loved birds since he was about 2 years old. He has asked for one many times over the years but I felt he was too young and I also knew that the timing was never right for us in order to provide the bird with the home it really needs. We have never owned birds but I have quite a few friends who do--including one friend whose entire living room has been converted to a birdroom for her 3 Greys, 2 Eclectus and one very noisy Conure.

I have been doing bird research for over a year now and keep coming back to the Quaker. I have a friend who owns 2 and they are so amusing (and a bit bratty at times but that makes me laugh).

Anyhow, the entire family is on-board with this (we also live with my mom--moved in with her after my dad passed away), and I am here on the forum to soak up as much information as I can.

Love reading about everyone's birds and seeing all the wonderful pictures. Look forward to more!

Welcome to the Forum! You have come to the best place on the web to find out about these little green chickens! I am glad you are doing your homework before bringing one home, I hope you are including your son in your research so HE knows what to expect from owning a bird as well.

Quakers are so intelligent it is like having a 2 yr old in your home for the next 30 yrs or so. They are the most loving little creatures as well and make you overlook their brattiness because of it ... when they bite you and then say 'I love you!' it just makes the bite worth it .... kinda

Please ask any questions you may have, nothing is too dumb or corny, if you don't know, how could you ever find out without asking ... besides, we LOVE talking about our fids (feathered kids) and are more than willing to share our experiences and knowledge. Any excuse to chat them up ....

Again to the forum. We look forward to hearing stories about YOUR baby and especially we LOVE PICTURES!!!

Welcome to the forum! Good luck in your search for a Quaker! A great way to learn things about these little green chickens is to read old posts in the achieves, but if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!

Welcome!

Might I suggest to look into the green cheek conure as well. They are also superb little birds.

NixPack - I am so happy I took a look at your post! Welcome to the "Green Chicken errr.. Little Green Monster" forum!
I became an UNEXPEXTED parront on May 22nd when I rescued a wild 4-5 week old QP from the street in front of my house, so I needed lots of help and got it here, from these great folks!
You can see all my 'newbie' questions at my QP Dolce's thread: http://www.quakerparrots.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=36212
Lot's of pictures....

Couldn't agree with "jobo2mi".... these QP's are like loveable 2 yr.old bratts!!!
If your son and you are looking for a small parrot, listed in the top ten for talking ability, then a Quaker is your guy! If talking ability isn't a high priority, then I am with "kate" in suggesting a Green Cheek Conure!!! The two I now know are very active with their toys, not at all aggressive, lovey dovey with their parronts and quiet.... unlike your friends conures! Do know what kind they are???
OF COURSE....As They Say YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY.... Every bird has it's unique personality.
Good Luck,
New QP Dad
and the "Big Boy" Dolce

Welcome to the forum!!

Quakers are a great bird for a responsible 11 (going on 12) year old. I have two boys, 11 and 14, and they take an active part in our flock. In fact, my Quaker and older son are like two peas in a pod...



A bit of a warning though, make sure that every one who wants to interact with the bird, does so. Quakers can tend to be one person birds, so be sure to socialize your Quaker with every one in the family. Those who want to handle the bird should do so every day

Kate is so very right on this! I have a Green Cheek Conure and he is the best bird that I have ever been around! I have 3 other birds and hate to admit he is my favorite lol BUT its the personality of him that is superb! NOW having said that my Quaker is just 8 weeks old so who knows he may "bump" the Green cheek off his pedesta! lol

Thanks so much for the warm welcome, Everyone! All of your posts are encouraging and get me even more excited for our new family member.

Do know what kind they are???

New QP Dad--my friends Conure is a cross between a Sun and a Jenday. LOL...the two loudest, I believe.

Thanks again for the welcome--see you in the regular forums!

"NixPack - I am so happy I took a look at your post! Welcome to the "Green Chicken errr.. Little Green Monster" forum!
I became an UNEXPEXTED parront on May 22nd when I rescued a wild 4-5 week old QP from the street in front of my house, so I needed lots of help and got it here, from these great folks!
You can see all my 'newbie' questions at my QP Dolce's thread"

QP Dad--Dolce is adorable!! I checked out all of "her" pictures. Thanks for the link. When I get my Quaker, I can refer to your posts and maybe find answers there before double-posting questions.

NixPack - Pleeeeeze.... No one will care if you ask a question about QP's that has been "asked and answered" before!
I would never have learned ANYTHING if QP forum members here had taken that attitue... and no one has!!! Fire Away!!!
I promise not to tell Dolce that you refered to HIM as a HER! I had him DNA feather tested! Good luck!
New QP Dad

Welcome to the group! Its a wonderful place and very addictive so you have been warned! And yes quakers are very special little guys (I currently have 8 of them!). But don't judge all conures based on your friends, suns and jendays and many of them do tend to be loud. The green cheek conure however is totally different. My quakers are MUCH louder than the green cheeks and they are such acrobats and little clowns. They are also very cuddly and sweet and not quite as bratty as quakers can be. While quakers are my favorite, the green cheeks are a close second. And they talk also, not quite as clear as a quaker (who can be little mimics) but very understandable and very sweet voices.

Welcome to the forum.....