Post by kay14 on Sept 25, 2018 9:46:48 GMT -5
I started out 3 years ago rescuing 3 parakeets off Craig's List. I then purchased 2 lovebirds who are sisters 2 years ago and then a baby Indian Ring Neck in January of this year. I found I really liked the intelligence of the more "evolved" birds. My parakeets seem to enjoy each other's company more than mine and my lovebirds are delightful - one, Monet, lets me kiss her and she will sit on my shoulder just cuddling and looking at me. Her sister, Tara (or Terror more appropriately) will sit on me just long enough to bite and then off she goes. My IRN seems to be a little more wild but will step up to come out of us cage but seems to be going through that bluffing phase of acting all Macho but has never bitten me hard and once out of his cage and never even tried to bite, but isn't at the stage that he enjoys being held or perching on me, but enjoys me talking to him. His name is Buddy and he has not attempted to talk or mimic yet but makes some delightful sounds that can only be described as imitating a chicken!!
One month ago I purchased (rescued) Cubby from a woman who could not afford to care for him. She was his second home and told me she had him for 4 to 5 years. I did find out that is was born in 2013 and he was purchased from a very reputable pet store here who only deals in birds. His last owner told me he was very loving, did not bite, likes other birds and knows lots of words. I have found that so far he is not cage aggressive, seems to enjoy his cage but I get him out of his cage frequently and he willingly steps up on my finger. I have not had a Quaker before but read extensively about them before taking the leap but I do have a few questions that I hope this forum can help me with.
1. When he's out and on my hand or arm he will let me stroke him but does not seem to like his head scratched. I have read that I should be preening his pin feathers - is that important to keep him well groomed or something that you do only if the bird seems to enjoy it?
2. Once he's out of the cage he is fine for short periods but will then bite me - hard enough to draw blood sometimes - not a major bite but more than I'm used to with the lovebirds. When he does that he goes back into his cage. He gets lots of free time out just sitting on a perch on top of the cage and will occasionally fly around. He always is willing to step up when he out of the cage. Is there something else I should be doing to try to get him not to bite other than put him back in his cage.
3. Is there a trick to get him to eat other foods. I offer him everything that my IRN eats - fresh greens, bell peppers, apples, watermelon, asparagus, carrots, whole grain breads, corn on the cob, etc... but he doesn't seem at all interested. I have him on fresh sprouts and Zupreem fruit flavored pellets. The only treat he will eat is unsalted peanuts in the shell that I use sparingly.
4. So far I have not seen him bathe, so I mist him 2 to 3x a week with warm water. I am going to continue to offer him the large bowl attached to the side of the cage with water in it. Any other suggestions.
He does have a pretty good vocabulary but I don't think we have heard all of it yet. I did learn from this forum about the calling out for his "flock" which I think he is doing but sometimes it's when I'm in the room with him and I try talking to him and taking him out of the cage, but it doesn't seem to stop him. Some days he will do it for hours on end and other days not a peep out of him..
I would appreciate any other tidbits of wisdom from this group. He is the first adult bird that I have adopted and want to make sure I am doing everything possible to make his transition as easy as possible.
If your QP doesn't like having his head scratched, it's best to respect that. That's one way to avoid getting another parrot bite. It is useful to help with pinfeathers the parrot can't easily reach, but only with the parrot's approval.