Well, my new baby comes home tomorrow. When I got my last quaker, it wasn't something I planned on doing. MY kids bought him as a xmas present, in which I was shocked, as I knew nothing about caring for a bird, nor did I ever really think I wanted a bird, I think birds need to be free.... but my boys were teenagers, who could drive.....and they decided on their own , lets get mom a parrot! They basically wanted the parrot, but they didn't want to have total responsibility of one. They knew that this way , they could get what they wanted.....the true me / me gift.

Of course, if you have to give a live animal present, which no one should do, but I was the perfect person to do this with because I just don't get rid of animals that depend on me. I read a book about quakers, but I don't think I ever concerned myself with thinking that anything could happen to my beloved Pete. I felt that quakers were tough birds and could deal with alot of things, especially with tempertures in a house, we heat with coal/wood. Pete was always fine with that;. I was careful about household crap that are smelly or toxic, but now in reading alot of things in this forum since my Pete has died after 9 years.....I'm now finding that I'm nervous about something going wrong with the new baby.

He is a he, as I did have him sexed . I've seen many photo's of him, but haven't yet met him. My son is coming with me tomorrow so that I can comfort him on the drive home in the travel cage. I do have a question though....he's young, just hatched in September. Seems like I remember that Pete was 3 months old and he couldn't fly for quite some time. I never clipped his wings, and I'm thinking he was about 1 year old before he flew for the first time. Am I accurate in this memory? What is the age that quakers can first take flight. ? Ballpark?

He is now by himself in his cage as his sister went to a new home 3 days ago. I'm wondering if there are things I should know to prepare for his homecoming? I was so shocked with the homecoming/xmas present 9 years ago,, I don't even remember the procedure. It seems like the kids played with Pete alot in the beginning. Then Pete copted a attitude and decided he only liked me and 1 son. My husband was quite upset that the bird didn't like him much..... are there things that should be taught to husbands so that the bird will like them more??????

His name will be Picasso.

After 9 years with Poor Pete, most is obvious. I guess the main thing for a new comer, is to understand he's just been taken from the only place he's ever know. For a few days, keep him in, or near his cage, to get used to the new environment, and schedules. He'll let you know when he's ready for more. Put on some nice soft music, grab a good book, and a comfy chair. Sit near his cage, and read aloud. You don't have to read, just be there, and talk to him. Sometimes it only takes a day, sometimes several. Don't force him out, he'll come in due time.

Make sure the kids, and hubby are following the same tactics. If the whole family is involved in every day routine (feeding, cleaning, one-on-one time, etc.) Picasso, although he may choose a favorite, will get along with the whole flock. Introduce your friends early, always away from the cage. This will help make him better socialized.

When you get Picasso on Picasso, we're all waiting for pics.

Congrats on your new Fid

Try to put yourself in his place and think how you'd feel -- since he hasn't even met you yet, he's really going to be shaken by all the changes. You have to win his trust and love. He's not going to be very trusting at first. As Jaytee said, just talk to him at first. Don't push. Don't make demands. Talk to him and always speak very gently and softly so you don't startle him. Tell him everything. "Good morning, Picasso, I'm taking off your cage cover now" and "Hey, Picasso, we're going to watch some TV now" and the standard "whatcha doin'? How's Picasso today? My, aren't you a PRETTY bird!" You know. He'll settle down after a few days of constant kindness and then you can try opening his cage and see if he wants to come out. Let him decide and then I don't think I'd poke a hand at him right away unless there's a treat in it.

You will do fine ...It aldepends really on the bird my little guy came to me as a baby and didn`t mind being handled from the start , he also took off flying at 3 months of age...

Congratulations on you new fid (feathered kid) can`t wait to see pictures of the little guy..) Sorry for the loss of your beloved Pete , I know the pain with loosing a loved fid (HUGS) ....

Congrats on getting another QP!! They are awesome little birds. Most Quakers start to fly around 8 to 10 weeks of age and gradually get better as they get older. It's best that they learn to land and maneuver through the air properly before clipping them, so hopefully the breeder has established that already. It doesn't take them long to learn it.

The best advice I can give is give him time to get used to his new home. As the others mentioned, his entire life is about to change and he may be nervous. Take it at his pace. Make sure the whole family is involved and handles him on a daily basis to keep him well socialized.

Also, you may want to cover the back 3/4 part of the cage for the first while...this will give him some added security.