Click to view attachment This is Jasper. He is my first quaker and I just got him a few days ago. I work at a local pet store and have been training this quaker for awhile now so that we can find him a home. Well, in the process I fell in love with the little guy and decided to purchase him myself. Now, I don't have much experience with birds of upper intellegence other than the care I give them in the store. I had a few questions that if answered would be extremely helpful.
1. Do all quakers develop a screaming problem, Jasper seems to be relatively quiter than the other birds and I want to now if that is normal? He is a very healthy bird and has no medical issues.
2. Is he going to be hostile to people other than my boyfriend and myself or is that something I could train him out of? He doesn't exhibit that behavior now but he is still very young.
3. What should I do about him not wanting to go back into the cage after holding him? He throws a fit when I put him back but it only lasts a few minutes.
4. Are there any tips that you could give a first time quaker owner?
Full Version: New Quaker Owner
1. Do all quakers develop a screaming problem, Jasper seems to be relatively quiter than the other birds and I want to now if that is normal? He is a very healthy bird and has no medical issues.
Mine don't scream. They have the Morning Squawk and the Evening Squawk, but that only lasts five or 10 minutes, and it's natural. Birds do the squawk in the morning as a sort of Mousekteer Roll Call, to make sure everyone made it safely through the night, and at night they do it to call everyone home for the night and count beaks to make sure they're all there. So if Jasper starts squawking like mad in the morning, make sure you answer him so he knows you understand proper protocol, and he'll stop after a few minutes.
2. Is he going to be hostile to people other than my boyfriend and myself or is that something I could train him out of? He doesn't exhibit that behavior now but he is still very young.
Not necessarily. Clyde adores my brother-in-law, and he only sees him about three times a year at most because he lives in another state. You can head that off by letting your friends hold him when they come over so he gets used to a variety of people, but Quakers do pick out one favorite person, even if they like other people, too.
3. What should I do about him not wanting to go back into the cage after holding him? He throws a fit when I put him back but it only lasts a few minutes.
Perfectly normal. You ought to hear Jade's ballistic meltdown when she sees that cage door shut, even though she spends a lot of time in the cage, with the door standing open, by her own choice! He'll be okay. Can you leave the door open even if you're not actively playing with him, so he can go in and out? Put some perches and toys on the outside of the cage so he can learn to hang out and entertain himself while you're busy with something else. He doesn't have to be inside the cage and locked up just because you're busy, though he should be where you can keep an eye on him if you're not handling him. Quakers are like toddlers and can get into difficulties if you're not watching them.
4. Are there any tips that you could give a first time quaker owner?[/quote]
Relax!
Get to know each other. He'll train you as much (or more!) as you train him. Make sure he has good, healthy food, a clean cage, lots of love and attention, get rid of the Teflon, don't burn candles or incense, and brace yourself to be bossed around by a little green dictator in a bird suit. 
Mine don't scream. They have the Morning Squawk and the Evening Squawk, but that only lasts five or 10 minutes, and it's natural. Birds do the squawk in the morning as a sort of Mousekteer Roll Call, to make sure everyone made it safely through the night, and at night they do it to call everyone home for the night and count beaks to make sure they're all there. So if Jasper starts squawking like mad in the morning, make sure you answer him so he knows you understand proper protocol, and he'll stop after a few minutes.
2. Is he going to be hostile to people other than my boyfriend and myself or is that something I could train him out of? He doesn't exhibit that behavior now but he is still very young.
Not necessarily. Clyde adores my brother-in-law, and he only sees him about three times a year at most because he lives in another state. You can head that off by letting your friends hold him when they come over so he gets used to a variety of people, but Quakers do pick out one favorite person, even if they like other people, too.
3. What should I do about him not wanting to go back into the cage after holding him? He throws a fit when I put him back but it only lasts a few minutes.
Perfectly normal. You ought to hear Jade's ballistic meltdown when she sees that cage door shut, even though she spends a lot of time in the cage, with the door standing open, by her own choice! He'll be okay. Can you leave the door open even if you're not actively playing with him, so he can go in and out? Put some perches and toys on the outside of the cage so he can learn to hang out and entertain himself while you're busy with something else. He doesn't have to be inside the cage and locked up just because you're busy, though he should be where you can keep an eye on him if you're not handling him. Quakers are like toddlers and can get into difficulties if you're not watching them.
4. Are there any tips that you could give a first time quaker owner?[/quote]
Relax!
Get to know each other. He'll train you as much (or more!) as you train him. Make sure he has good, healthy food, a clean cage, lots of love and attention, get rid of the Teflon, don't burn candles or incense, and brace yourself to be bossed around by a little green dictator in a bird suit.
Hi & welcome!
First, I would like to recommend a couple of books! Guide to the Quaker Parrot by Mattie Sue Athans is an excellent resource and very inexpensive. It costs around $10.00 and is available at most local bookstores &/or pet stores & Amazon.com. Another resource that you can download is our list owner, Shelly's new book!
Second, to answer your questions!
1. Do all quakers develop a screaming problem, Jasper seems to be relatively quiter than the other birds and I want to now if that is normal? He is a very healthy bird and has no medical issues.
I think most screaming problems are more in our socializing & teaching our birds that they need to have time alone to play or whatever they want to do in their cage by themselves. I have 5 birds (2 macaws, 2 cockatoos & 1 Quaker). My birds are mostly quiet until we have visitors. My Moluccan cockatoo is the flock leader & he insists on making his presence known & if possible meeting/approving the visitor. My Quaker is for the most part the quiet one of my five! Also, I think when you have a single bird that they are more reliant on their humans to make up that need for a flock. So you need to have flock calls to you Quaker so that he knows you are there & he knows all is well. Mattie Sue's book can give you more insight with this!
2. Is he going to be hostile to people other than my boyfriend and myself or is that something I could train him out of? He doesn't exhibit that behavior now but he is still very young.
This too has to do with socialization. Birds choose their mate that they bond with and do not like others around their chosen mate so they may bite another person that is too close to their "mate" or they might bite their "mate" to get them to move away from a potential rival. If you continue to both work with your new Quaker and understand him I think he will become a well-adjusted loving little guy and may even learn to enjoy being held by anyone. Once again I know Mattie Sue's book, Guide to the Quaker Parrot also covers this & I'm sure Shelly's does too (Sorry I haven't had a chance to get a copy of Shelly's book.).
3. What should I do about him not wanting to go back into the cage after holding him? He throws a fit when I put him back but it only lasts a few minutes.
I would suggest that you have a little healthy treat that you give him once he has gone into his cage. This rewards him for going in & he will soon start going in just to get his reward/treat.
4. Are there any tips that you could give a first time quaker owner?
The above suggestions are some of the best tips I can think of for a first time Quaker owner! Of course, you will soon learn who is the "owner!" lol I know others will soon be here to add some great advice! Congratulations on your new Quaker!
Jess
First, I would like to recommend a couple of books! Guide to the Quaker Parrot by Mattie Sue Athans is an excellent resource and very inexpensive. It costs around $10.00 and is available at most local bookstores &/or pet stores & Amazon.com. Another resource that you can download is our list owner, Shelly's new book!
Second, to answer your questions!
1. Do all quakers develop a screaming problem, Jasper seems to be relatively quiter than the other birds and I want to now if that is normal? He is a very healthy bird and has no medical issues.
I think most screaming problems are more in our socializing & teaching our birds that they need to have time alone to play or whatever they want to do in their cage by themselves. I have 5 birds (2 macaws, 2 cockatoos & 1 Quaker). My birds are mostly quiet until we have visitors. My Moluccan cockatoo is the flock leader & he insists on making his presence known & if possible meeting/approving the visitor. My Quaker is for the most part the quiet one of my five! Also, I think when you have a single bird that they are more reliant on their humans to make up that need for a flock. So you need to have flock calls to you Quaker so that he knows you are there & he knows all is well. Mattie Sue's book can give you more insight with this!
2. Is he going to be hostile to people other than my boyfriend and myself or is that something I could train him out of? He doesn't exhibit that behavior now but he is still very young.
This too has to do with socialization. Birds choose their mate that they bond with and do not like others around their chosen mate so they may bite another person that is too close to their "mate" or they might bite their "mate" to get them to move away from a potential rival. If you continue to both work with your new Quaker and understand him I think he will become a well-adjusted loving little guy and may even learn to enjoy being held by anyone. Once again I know Mattie Sue's book, Guide to the Quaker Parrot also covers this & I'm sure Shelly's does too (Sorry I haven't had a chance to get a copy of Shelly's book.).
3. What should I do about him not wanting to go back into the cage after holding him? He throws a fit when I put him back but it only lasts a few minutes.
I would suggest that you have a little healthy treat that you give him once he has gone into his cage. This rewards him for going in & he will soon start going in just to get his reward/treat.
4. Are there any tips that you could give a first time quaker owner?
The above suggestions are some of the best tips I can think of for a first time Quaker owner! Of course, you will soon learn who is the "owner!" lol I know others will soon be here to add some great advice! Congratulations on your new Quaker!
Jess
Hi and Welcome, you've been given some good advise already.
I'd like to add just a couple things. First off, Only spend as much time now with your bird as you think you'll be able to spend with him for the next 30 years. So in other words don't shower him with lots and lots of attention now while he's new, and then start spending less time with him as the "new" wears off. If he learns that you can only spend a couple of hours with him now, then if your work schedule changes or something then it won't be such a shock to him. Also don't go running to him every time he makes a noise. Answer him with a whistle or just talk to him from a far. Other wise he's training you to come running and being a flock animal they prefer to be with you as away from you so they'll do what ever they can to be near you...screaming to get your attention.
While you have him out and are playing with him is the time to start teaching him how to play with his foot toys and learning to search for food to keep himself occupied through out the day when you aren't around.
Also, if you haven't purchased the book...A guide to Quaker Parrots by Mattie Sue Athon you might want to do that. Its a book full of valuable information that you'll keep referring back to often I'm sure.
Something else you can do to help the screaming not start is to locate his cage in such an area where he can see what's going on in the house most of the time, so he doesn't feel isolated. Let him have out of cage time but not necessarily on you; just him playing on his cage etc.
Also, make sure you have him on a well balanced diet consisting of pellets 50 - 70 % and the rest consisting of fresh fruits and veggies, legumes, pasta, cooked rice etc. Keep Seed as an occasional treat. Like when you want him to go back in the cage
And then only a very small amount at any given time.
And above all...Socialize, Socialize, Socialize, introduce him to as many people and things as you can. Hand him off to friends or have them go and pick him up off the cage etc. As was said, he's going to pick a favorite person and it may not be you...but just keep after him and you should have a very pleasant and happy bird for many years to come.
One other thing...to do with the flock calling and answering his flock call. Since its just you and your boyfriend I would suggest each of you having your own tune to whistle, to answer him with and when he starts calling when your out of the room only use your whistle...that way he'll learn who's there and who isn't.
Good luck and once again, welcome to the forum.
I'd like to add just a couple things. First off, Only spend as much time now with your bird as you think you'll be able to spend with him for the next 30 years. So in other words don't shower him with lots and lots of attention now while he's new, and then start spending less time with him as the "new" wears off. If he learns that you can only spend a couple of hours with him now, then if your work schedule changes or something then it won't be such a shock to him. Also don't go running to him every time he makes a noise. Answer him with a whistle or just talk to him from a far. Other wise he's training you to come running and being a flock animal they prefer to be with you as away from you so they'll do what ever they can to be near you...screaming to get your attention.
While you have him out and are playing with him is the time to start teaching him how to play with his foot toys and learning to search for food to keep himself occupied through out the day when you aren't around.
Also, if you haven't purchased the book...A guide to Quaker Parrots by Mattie Sue Athon you might want to do that. Its a book full of valuable information that you'll keep referring back to often I'm sure.
Something else you can do to help the screaming not start is to locate his cage in such an area where he can see what's going on in the house most of the time, so he doesn't feel isolated. Let him have out of cage time but not necessarily on you; just him playing on his cage etc.
Also, make sure you have him on a well balanced diet consisting of pellets 50 - 70 % and the rest consisting of fresh fruits and veggies, legumes, pasta, cooked rice etc. Keep Seed as an occasional treat. Like when you want him to go back in the cage
And then only a very small amount at any given time.And above all...Socialize, Socialize, Socialize, introduce him to as many people and things as you can. Hand him off to friends or have them go and pick him up off the cage etc. As was said, he's going to pick a favorite person and it may not be you...but just keep after him and you should have a very pleasant and happy bird for many years to come.
One other thing...to do with the flock calling and answering his flock call. Since its just you and your boyfriend I would suggest each of you having your own tune to whistle, to answer him with and when he starts calling when your out of the room only use your whistle...that way he'll learn who's there and who isn't.
Good luck and once again, welcome to the forum.
all great advise just wanted to say your fid (feathered kid) is cute and welcome you both to a great group...
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