Bringing Home Your Baby Quaker Parrot
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by Shelly Lane Are you bringing home a Quaker Parrot baby soon? Bringing home a new baby bird is an exciting time. This article discusses some of the things you should plan to teach your new bird during those first few months to help insure a happy and successful life as part of your family. |
Note: Seven years ago or so, I wrote a series of articles that appeared in the Quaker Parakeet Society's quarterly newsletter. This is the second of those articles.
Few things are more exciting than bringing home a new baby Quaker Parrot. Even for those of us who have multiple birds, bringing home a new baby is a day we look forward to with great anticipation. Whether you are a first time bird owner or not, some planning should occur before the happy day arrives.
The obvious things to consider include choosing a name, cage, toys and brand of food. However, more important than these things is the need to plan what you want to teach your young parrot during its first year. Because your bird is no longer with its natural parents or the breeder, it is now your job to be your bird's parent and teach it everything it needs to know to live successfully in your household. The following list should provide a place to start when planning your baby Quaker's education.
One of the most important things you should teach your new bird is to "step-up" to your finger or hand. This should be taught even if your baby easily steps onto your finger whenever you place it in front of the bird. Your bird's willingness to step-up can change overnight when it becomes a "teenager" unless it already has a strong step-up response that has been conditioned by consistent training. A strong step-up response will help you get through your parrot's adolescence and any other challenges that appear along the way.
You should also plan to introduce your baby to a large variety of healthy foods, including pellets, vegetables, fruits and other "people" foods. Stay away from avocado, chocolate, caffeine and alcohol as these are toxic to birds. It is difficult to introduce new foods to an older bird if it was only offered one or two types of food when it was young.
Be sure to encourage your young bird to play with toys, and change the toys your bird has available in its cage often. There is nothing sadder than a bird that sits in its cage with nothing to do because it doesn't know how to play with toys, and boredom can lead to screaming and feather plucking problems. Rotating toys not only helps relieve boredom but also encourages your parrot's natural curiosity.
Another important thing to teach your Quaker is how to bathe. A parrot can have baths as soon as it is fully feathered. Bathing is very important for physical and emotional health. It not only helps keep the feathers in good condition but also provides an outlet for excess energy. Teaching a bird to enjoy being misted and taking a bath in a bowl when it is young will insure your Quaker will enjoy the benefits that bathing provides throughout its lifetime.
If possible, get your Quaker used to being handled by many different people while it is still very young, even if you live by yourself. This will help prevent your baby from becoming a "one-person bird". Keep in mind that you may need to also train the humans to properly handle the bird. This is especially true for children.
And last but not least, teach your Quaker how to play games and have fun. All of my birds learned to laugh before learning any other sounds or words. They love to play games (peek-a-boo is a good first game) and seem to have a real sense of fun and humor. They also love to play word games (What does a dog say? Arf Arf!) and can even learn to sing.
As you can see, it is a big responsibility to raise a baby parrot. You should take your new role as parent seriously, because your baby is counting on you to teach it what it needs to know to be successful as a companion bird. However, there are many joys and delightful surprises to be found along the way, and your reward will be a physically and emotionally healthy companion to spend a good many years with. Best wishes to you and your new Quaker Parrot.
16 Comments on Bringing Home Your Baby Quaker Parrot »
February 22, 2007
Ann Barber @ 12:03 am:
We have just been given a Quaker Parrot. It's chest had no featers and it would bite anyone but my grandson. We have spent hour talking with it, have several toys in the cage, a bowl of water. It will now let 3 or 4 people hold it, has learned to whistle and say Pretty Girl. I would like to say ThankYou for your article that I have just read.We have lots to learn but this is so much fun. Almost like having another child around!
March 4, 2007
Katie @ 10:29 pm:
I just brought home a 9 week-old baby Quaker yesterday and I am so glad that I found this article! He does not know how to 'step-up' yet, but I'm not sure how to teach him. Whenever I put my hand near him he clings to whatever he is standing on. Your article has given me some insight into what I need to do during the next 6 months. Thank you! And if you have any more info, I'd more than appreciate it!
May 4, 2007
Lisa Schmidt @ 11:43 am:
I think this site is amazing! It's informative and humorous. The personal experiences shared are a real help. I would like to learn more tricks for dealing with an adolencent Quaker. I am waiting for my baby Quaker to be weaned so I can bring him home so more tricks would be wonderful and greatly appreciated! I'm so excited I can't wait to be a mom!
May 18, 2007
Debbie Dewey @ 12:11 pm:
I just bought a baby quaker yesterday, he has just started getting feathers, I have the choice of bringing him home now or waiting till he is weaned. I am not sure what to do, I have never cared for a baby bird before, I did have two children now in their 20's so they survied. I really want him home with me, but he is living in a box and being fed with a suringe. I have his new cage all ready but he doesn't perch yet. Please help, should I wait or not…..
May 21, 2007
Schmitty @ 3:08 pm:
Still haven't brought my Quaker home yet, but when I handle him at the store he really gets carried away with excessive "mouthing" on my fingers, arms, clothes, etc. Some I know he's just testing different textures, but when he's going to town on my hands, if I don't react (saying "ah, ah, ah." "NO" or dropping my hand abruptly to unbalance him) he begins to bite hard. He's still a baby, not even weaned yet, but I'm getting worried about when he gets into the "terrible twos" stage. Should I not allow him to "mouth" my hands at all, which doesn't hurt, or do something after he bites me?
May 28, 2007
Schmitty @ 11:50 am:
Debbie,
I would wait until he's weaned. I know it's hard, I'm getting impatient too, I have to wait another month and have already been for 2 months until I can bring my baby home. I get to play with him anytime I want so he's bonding and recognizing me well, that way when I bring him home he doesn't have to cope with a new owner, cage, environment, etc. If you know how to hand feed him properly and have practiced it and have the time and dedication to go through with it than sure, bring him home. But if he's being cared for properly, you can be ensured that he'll be healthy and handled by the time you can bring him home.
October 23, 2007
Ann Katherine Richards @ 2:24 pm:
I brought mine home almost weaned at 2.5 months. She is doing well and is still being hand fed. They are sweeter before they are completely weaned. I have heard it is safer to bring them home when they are finished weaning though.
October 24, 2007
Mishelle @ 7:51 pm:
Hello everyone! I have been admiring and wanting a quaker for about 5 years now. My husband and I were in a pet supplies plus store today and I spent some time with a quaker a (green) and it appeared he dosnt know how to step up yet although it could have been out of fear. He did finally come to me and he just cuddled me and let me pet his neck and was loving me like crazy. He is 6 months old and I am just wondering if anyone has advice on what I should do, look out for, or think, it may have been from not knowing me but he never got aggressive or mean in any way and was extremely sweet. I am going in again in 2 days to spend more time with him but any advice would be greatly appriciated! thank you to all! mishelle
October 25, 2007
Mishelle @ 8:26 am:
Hello everyone,
My husband and I were in a pet supplies plus store, and I saw a beautiful green quaker. I have been wanting one for about 5 years now. He is 6 months old, seemed a bit scared and wouldnt step up , however let me cuddle and hold him for like 20 minutes rubbing his head and back and seemed to love it. I was wondering if any of you have any suggestions as to what i should look for, or know before bringing him home. The store has vet paperwork, he has been DNA sexed, and appears to be extremely sweet. Also at 6 months, is he still considered to be a baby and will he still adjust well ? thank you to anyone for advice! Mishelle
October 26, 2007
Mark Holcomb @ 4:55 pm:
I just got a 3-4 month old quaker at a bird show. He is very nice,good manners, very quiet, and can be hels easily by anyone. However, He does not want to sit with me for more than a couple of minutes. He will attempt to fly or flee from you curious about the world. He will go straight to his new cage and just sit there for ever I think. Does this sound normal? What should I do to help him want to be more social? I have only had him for a week so this could all be great. My only other bird I have ever had is a cockatiel who always wants me. Thank you Mark
October 27, 2007
MISHELLE @ 9:16 pm:
I just brought my quaker home yesterday and he is scared and wants his cage also, my cockatiel is my only other bird as well and always wants me and attention as well. I think just because birds tend to feel "safe" in their cages no matter if it is a new one, thats maybe why. my quaker has been cuddling and loving on me and loves to be petted then today is wanting to stay in his cage, i think if you just give him time and still make a good effort to get him out of the cage, he will get used to it. mine is 6 months and still does not know how to step up, so one that is younger, maybe yours is still not fluent with it yet? ive noticed that with mine. good luck to you, they are awesome birds to have!
November 3, 2007
cindy @ 11:16 am:
I don't know the answer to the mouthing thing but an observation. My bird uses his mouth like a third hand. He nips but I don't think he really knows he is doing so. When he bites too hard I hold his beak and say no, or blow in his face and say no. He does seem to understand. In fact sometimes it seems as if he is pinching me because I am not paying attention. It is more annoying than painful. My bird is 8 months old. He was handraised and he has been taught not to 'bite' but he certainly utilises his beak when he wants something. Like out of his cage. He figured out how to open one of the food door a month after I brough him home.
March 2, 2008
Saundra Thomsen @ 3:33 am:
I am going to purchase a baby quaker soon and I was wondering what I should do when I get it home. Should I put it in the cage and leave it there for a couple of days, or should I immeditely start working with it on its step ups? I'm not quite sure. Thanks
April 8, 2008
CherylICU @ 8:35 pm:
I recently bought a 1 1/2 yr. old blue quaker. She does a "head-butt" thing that I am wondering if it is normal. She will walk up to me, put her head down and butt/push several times anywhere on my hands or my husbands hands, face, etc. It almost looks like she is going to regurgitate at the same time. I would be honored if that was the case, but none of my other birds does this. Any thoughts, ideas…..?
April 22, 2008
Sunny @ 1:02 am:
cheryl,
I read on the net that birds that regurgitate or look like they are regurgitating is actually a sign of affection. So maybe that is really a good thing.
May 3, 2008
Linda @ 8:54 pm:
I have a new quaker parrot that was given to me. I'm told he is between six month and a year old. He was not talking when I received him. Can anyone tell me if he is to old to begin talking at this point? He's adjusting well to our home and will allow himself to be held and petted now. He spends most of his day out of the cage and in our familyroom with our family so he gets a lot of interaction with us.