sms
Hatchling
Posts: 5 
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Post by sms on Dec 12, 2017 23:09:46 GMT -5
I’m seriously wanting to get a Quaker Parrot. I think they’re just beautiful birds and from what I’ve read about them, with great personalities. And, of course, they’re also known to be great talkers. My hesitation is this - I’ve heard that Quakers can be early risers - that when the sun comes up, your Quaker will be up and will be quite noisy until he/she is greeted.
I've never been a morning person. I don’t want to sleep until noon, of course, but on the weekends I do enjoy sleeping until perhaps 9:00 or so. Will this be a problem? Is it true that Quakers are up at dawn and let you know it? As badly as I want a Quaker, I have to be realistic if this really is a legitimate problem. Can anyone tell me if this is true about Quakers? And do all Quakers do this?
Thanks -
Sharon S
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Post by biteybird on Dec 13, 2017 9:42:03 GMT -5
Hi and welcome!  Our quaker, Bonnie, wakes at about 6am each morning and squawks quite loudly if she hears us get up (which of course we do get up between 5-6am on working days). She can be VERY loud. HOWEVER, having said that...there are certain things you can do. If you ensure your quaker has a dedicated sleeping cage in another room, that is dark and quiet, away from the main living areas and your bedroom, it's definitely possible to have a quaker and still sleep in. I sleep in a bit on weekends and find that even if she hears us moving around early on, if we close the bedroom door - DON'T respond in any way to the noise - she gives up squawking and does her cute noises, which don't keep us awake I guess the answer to your question is - yes, they can be noisy, but you can outsmart them. Quakers need 12 hours' sleep per night in a quiet, dark room. You could try: *Separate room & separate cage for sleeping, away from the rest of the flock (you). *Put him/her to bed a bit later (time it for 12 hours' sleep) if you want to sleep in the next morning (controversial, but we have tried it at times and it works!) Hope this helps! |
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Post by easttex on Dec 13, 2017 10:34:42 GMT -5
You can also use a cage cover, which helps. If you can block especially the side/s facing any windows, it will reduce their perception of daybreak.
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sms
Hatchling
Posts: 5
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Post by sms on Dec 13, 2017 14:42:09 GMT -5
Well, you've both given me something to think about. I will try to find an opaque cage cover to try to keep the most light out and will definitely have a separate sleep cage in a different room. All good suggestions - thank you both so much for the help. Who knows? Maybe I'll get lucky and end up with the quietest Quaker on the planet - lolol.
I do feel less hesitant now knowing there could be solutions for the mornings - again, thank you.
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Post by cnyguy on Dec 13, 2017 21:27:47 GMT -5
It will depend on the individual parrot. My QP Ralph is usually awake before I am in the morning, but is quiet until I come into the room to greet both parrots and uncover Ralph's cage. Scooter the Grey sometimes makes a few little noises before I'm out of bed, but has adjusted to my routine and is less vocal in the morning than she was when I first adopted her. Keeping the room the parrot sleeps in as quiet as possible, and keeping out the morning sunlight, can help keep the bird from being too active early in the morning.
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sms
Hatchling
Posts: 5
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Post by sms on Dec 13, 2017 22:11:24 GMT -5
Thanks - I do feel more encouraged now. I suspect the Quaker Parrot is a smart enough bird and can be trained to adapt to the household habits. So anxious to get one! Right now we have a Parrotlet, Skittle, and we love him to death. Sweetest thing ever! He’s the first bird we’ve had and the reason I’d love to have another. I had no idea birds could be such sweet pets!
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Post by biteybird on Dec 14, 2017 1:59:32 GMT -5
Easttex & cnyguy made a good point about cage covers. We bought a couple of heavy block-out curtains from the Op shop for about $2 and they work really well, plus they cover the entire large cage. Good luck with your decision! |
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sms
Hatchling
Posts: 5
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Post by sms on Dec 14, 2017 12:46:17 GMT -5
That's a great idea - black-out curtains would certainly keep any light out. Plus I'm convinced now that I'll keep him in our spare bedroom to sleep, away from the kitchen where his main cage will be. We have a Yorkie who's up at around 6:30 everyday wanting to eat. My husband gets up with her so if the Quaker is away from the kitchen and my husband can be extra quiet (really? not gonna happen-lol), hopefully the Quaker will have no idea anyone is up and about! Fingers crossed. Thanks!
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Post by cnyguy on Dec 14, 2017 22:08:40 GMT -5
Every parrot has his/her own preferences about cage covers, so a little "trial and error" will probably be needed. My old Amazon parrot George wanted his cage almost entirely covered at night, with only a small slit left open at one side. Ralph likes the back and sides completely covered, but only the top third of the front. Scooter the CAG won't tolerate a cover at all-- so when you do have a new QP, you'll have to learn his/her preferences.
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Post by easttex on Dec 15, 2017 5:02:04 GMT -5
When I first got Peppy, he was not used to a cover. He didn't panic or squawk, but he would duck down as I put it on. It was very cute. He liked to have the front left uncovered, and he was very quiet until I went in to greet him. Little angel.
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sms
Hatchling
Posts: 5
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Post by sms on Dec 15, 2017 12:08:32 GMT -5
Awww, sounds like he was a sweetheart. I'm sure you miss him. Unfortunately, I live in Indiana and none of the local breeders start breeding them until at least February. So unless I were to buy one 'sight unseen' from an out of state breeder I'll have to wait until then. Hopefully, I'll end up with one as sweet as the ones I'm hearing about on this forum.
Has anyone ever purchased a bird, Quaker or otherwise, from an out of state breeder?
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