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!

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!

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!

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…..

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?

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.

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.

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

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

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

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!

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.

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

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…..?

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.

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.

Hi to everyone,

Im new in this as a mommy im a beginner and im really loving it, and im so glad i found this great website. I just brought my baby Quaker home 2 days ago, his name its JALEN wich means bird of light, and the breeder told me he is about 6 weeks and a couple of days, wich i dont feel sure about his age because he has all his feathers and when he open his feathers you can tell he is growing more feathers and i have read here from other people that have baby Q around that age and they still dont have all their feathers thats why im wonderig if mine its a little older than 7 weeks. Well i started right away to teach him to "step Up" and im not sure he still understand that but he does step up to my fingers when he wants to. He likes to be held by me, he is sweet and pretty quiet till now, I talk to him alot and I tell him I love you and I even sing to him and he looks at me so i guess he likes all that but i think he is too young to answer all of that. i try to have him out of his cage the most i can because i have 2 kids on my own and i have alot of work to do around the house if i can work with him in my shoulder i do it and Jalen love it. But everytime i stand in the Kitchen he screams and i dont know why? Can anyone tell me why you think he does that? I tried to baith him and he didnt like the idea he jump to my shirt and then found his way up to my sholder! i felt good because he gave me the idea he feels protected by me. =) Any Advice for this new mommy? Thanks Amanda M.

Help! I was given a Quaker today. He seems to have all his feathers, and I have no idea how old he is. Definitely not full grown, but doesn't look like a baby. Also, he can't fly but doesn't have clipped wings. Because I don't know his age, I've tried to hand feed him, but he won't eat. i've put pellets and seed and millet in the cage, but all he seems to do is sleep. Any ideas?

I have a new baby quaker, I got him about 2 weeks ago, he is the sweetest thing about 5 weeks old now. I have been feeding him with a syringe and it seems to be working well I was so worried because he is the first one I have ever had. I am really happy I took him so early, I am a stay at home mom so I have the extra time needed to bond with him and teach him that people are good. If anyone has any suggestions on anything please let me know, like I said this is my first time so it's kind of trial and error but it has been a great bonding experience so far!!

Hello
My name is Dawn. I have 5 young children we are very excited about purchasing a young male parakeet. We go everyday to bond with him. He steps up great already. Now while we were at the Pet shop was introduced to young Quaker Parrots There are 2 that are being weaned and ready to have a new home. Very sweet and more of a gurthy bird seeing I have small children, not so tiny. We love the Parakeet and if we got a big enough cage wondering if we could put the 2 young birlds in together. I wouldlove some feed back Thank you so much..

Hi, Dawn. We own a six-year-old parakeet and recently purchased a five-month-old Quaker. We are "bonding" with the Quaker and have yet to introduce him/her to the 'keet. They are definitely aware of each other's presence, though, and love to listen to each other "talking". Seeing the difference is size and temperament (the Quaker is very sweet but so much bigger, independent, and downright sassy) has lead me to decide to not put the two in the same cage ever. Even the breeder recommended against it; if the two ever quarreled, the 'keet would be the loser and could end up injured or killed. I just don't see how a parakeet could hold his/her own against a Quaker. I will eventually keep their cages in the same room and let them enjoy each other's company but at a controlled distance. Plus, the Quaker is a very interactive, people bird and loves to be handled while the 'keet…well, not so much.

I know this article is about babies, but hopefully one of you very knowledgeable people will be able to help me out.

We (boyfriend 42 and I 33, no kids, no pets) are soon bringing home a 2 year old green Quaker. He has had a loving home with lots of play, but the owner cannot keep him due to a change in landlords at her apartment building.

I am wondering if there are certain things we should do with him to make him comfortable and a part of our family. We hope he doesn't become homesick or miss his first family too much.

I have read of people who keep the cage in the room with the most activity, sit by the cage and talk, leave the door open and let him come out when he is ready. I have also heard people who take him out of the cage, ready or not, and cuddle with him for a little bit, show that they won't hurt him, and then put him back.

The first option seems best to us, but how long should we be prepared to wait for him to come to us? How long is too long? I've also heard they are very cage-territorial, so if we leave the decision to come out up to him, will that increase the chances of him becoming cage aggressive?

He is coming to us with his previous cage and toys, so things will be familiar. What else can we do? We are so excited, and just want him to be happy!

Thank you all for your invaluable input on this entire QP site.

karla3000@gmail.com

I had a cockatail that did that and he just wanted me to rub his neck

My quaker was rescude. He flew against our Sunday school window and today he is mine. My bird just does not like my hands! He lits me hand feed him and when he is in his cage I can pet him but does not like hands. He also is afraid of paper. makes it hard to change his cage. He nuzzles my nose and is a kissy bird but why is he so skidish and why is he afraid of hands?

I am loving this site. My 11 year old son and I just brought our 7 month old QP home yesterday and I need to know how to start with him. As soon as we open the cage and put our hand in, he gets very aggressive and bites the tar out of the tip of our fingers or whatever part he can get ahold of, I've tried shaking him off and he just wouldn't let go till finally I grabbed his bill with my other hand and grabbed him with a towel.

How can I get him comfy with our hands? I do open the cage up first thing in the morning so he can have the freedom he wants, and he did come out for a bit but now, since he's bitten the crap out of me and my son, we're afraid to put our hands in there, his little bill hurts bad.

Any help would be awesome, or a good book on how to work with them would be helpful

hi christi,
i was reasearching about quaker parrots. i just wanna let you know that they are really really aggressive about there cage. your parrot wont bite you once if it is out of cage. but it will bite u when it is in the cage. you have to wait for it to come outside.
i just got my QP who is 6 weeks old.. i'm trying to make her get used to my hands inside her cage. she dosent bite me yet. anyway i hope ur QP dosnt bite u anymore. have fun =)

As noted by Amna, QP's are very cage territorial. This is the problem I have with my two new baby quakers I just got about 2 months ago. The green one named Dogen is 9 months and the blue one Skye will be 9 months in just a few more days. I love them to pieces but I am thinking about separating them. At least while in training. I have an almost 14 yr old green quaker that I absolutely adore. She is a sweetheart, but the thing you ought to know about quakers Christi, is that they are very territorial and can get aggressive if not corrected asap. I would advise you handling the quaker outside its cage for awhile. Then gradually work your way around the cage so the quaker doesn't pose you as a threat. For instance, talk to the bird and use slow movements when maneuvering inside the cage. Good Luck…trust me. They are great birds.

I am thinking about getting a quaker parrot as a pet. As of now i have a budgie whom is very easy to take care of. My only concern about getting a quaker is its poop. Is it like budgie poop (very small, not liquidy)? Or is it the complete opposite? Email back when you have the chance, thanks. Also, what bird would be easier to take care of, a lovebird or a quaker (in terms of poop)?

Hello, i have adopted a QP, that i have been told was wild and is about 6/7 months old. right now it is at a Vet's office where it was taken after it was found. i have been told to feed it pellets only.is 6/7 months old still considered a baby? i will be picking it up tomorrow, and advice??? please… irma

I just got my 11 week old Quaker on Wednesday and I love him so much. He is eating great and loves my husband and I. Sometimes he seems to want his cage when he is with us so I know he likes it. Anyway I can't get him to play with his toys, he is deathly afraid of them. I have tried to show him what do with them and he tries to fly when I do this (his wings are clipped) and he can't stand to be next to them. The only thing he will play with is a paper towel. He loves millet so that gives him something to do while he is in his cage. I am concerned though that when he is in his cage since he's not playing with his toys he is sitting there doing nothing. Is this normal? I have a large variety of toys in different shapes, materials and sizes. Today I added a new bowl into his cage when he first saw it he freaked a bit he was so scared to go in his cage I had to show him that it was ok and he sat on it once that happened he was pretty much fine but he seems to still be a bit hesitant. Other than that he sticks to the same spot in his cage all the time, on his food bowl. Is he just scared because he is a baby and this is all new to him or is there anything I should do to help him adjust better? Thanks and sorry if this seems a little all over the place, this is my first quaker and I am bit obsessed lol and want to make sure I am making a very happy bird.

just figured i may be able to help a little bit i have both a love bird and a quaker and i will tell you that the love bird is much easier in terms of poop size and things……but they are both great pets…if i had to choose tho i would say the quaker is a very fun and loving bird to have very playfull and funny! besides the poop you cant go wrong lol…hope i helped

I have had my green Quaker "Bippy" for just over a month, she is 4 months old. I am a pet groomer and have my own shop. My question, is it detrimental to my bird to bring her to work with me a few times a week? She has large cages at home and work, and a travel carrier. She has been coming with me 2-3 times a week. She will go to new people and allow petting. She plays with her toys and makes a ruckus when the dogs bark- she even sounds like she is scolding them. I have noticed that she seems extra tired and wants to go to bed earlier after a day at the shop…

Hi i just got my little baby quaker, he was hatched on june 9 of 2009, he is a reallly loving bird, i had a couple of parrots before him, so i know what im in for, i just wanted to bragg about it too, HE's learning how to step up,

i just got my qp yesterday,hes around 7 months..great bird sweet,a little talkative out of cage.My ? i seems in his cage he just sits their not really wanting to play,maybe cause its a new enviroment,not sure..Just wandered if anyone expirienced this..thanks

tami,it is completly normal