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Post by Delawaregirl on Oct 24, 2018 7:51:54 GMT -5
I have had cockatiels in the past but now am bird free. I have really missed my birds and now am ready to get another. I have been thinking about a quaker. I want a bird that will love to be around me, is playful and this time can talk. I know from past experiences that all birds are different and have different personalities so there is no quarantee about how a bird will interact with me. I do need some info on quakers. I have heard that in the beginning they are very cuddly but as they age this changes to where they want to be more independent and are happier in their cage playing with toys. Is there truth to that? I had all kinds of bonding experiences with my cockatiels but all of them grew in their relationship to me. This is what I would want with any bird I got. Can you all give me some insight into being a quaker owner.
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Post by cnyguy on Oct 24, 2018 20:08:57 GMT -5
Welcome! If you read through the posts here on the Forum you will learn a lot about Quakers. One thing you'll learn is that they each have their own personality and no two are exactly alike in every way. My QP Ralph has never been cuddly, but he has always enjoyed being with me. He will play independently, but given the chance, he'd rather be doing something with me. Ralph is 9 years old now and has been with me since he was 6 months old. He's a fairly quiet Quaker. While he knows (and understands) lots of words, he doesn't say them often. Unlike the QPs' reputation, Ralph is not cage aggressive, but he is possessive of his food dish. Ralph is fairly even-tempered; he's seldom grumpy.
If you have the chance to meet a few QPs in person, that would be helpful to you toward making a decision about whether or not a QP would be a good choice for you.
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Post by biteybird on Nov 1, 2018 5:22:30 GMT -5
Hi there & welcome!  We have a nearly 5-yo quaker called Bonnie, who we've had since she was about 8 weeks old (straight from the breeder). Well, she's a feisty one! One minute she'll be cuddling up and the next she's trying to bite the hell outta us. That is just parrot behaviour in general - sometimes a bit unpredictable. But it's a wonderful thing to share your life with a quaker. LIke cnyguy said, your quaker may not say the words he/she knows when YOU want them said! I agree with him that you should go visit a couple of QPs to see them in person. We knew very little about quaker parrots when we got Bonnie. Even though her behaviour is trying at times, she has greatly enriched our lives and we wouldn't be without her. I even climbed over two barbed wire fences and then 6 metres up a flimsy tree earlier this year to rescue her when she escaped out the back door (I'm 50 and I was sore for a week) but I'm glad I did. Your life will never be the same if you get one - they can live for 30+ years - but it will change in a GOOD way.  Good luck with your decision. P.S. I also meant to say that in our experience, Bonnie is happiest when we spend time with her in an engaging way (actually interacting/playing with her, rather than watching TV and ignoring her when she's out of the cage). Our quaker doesn't really play with toys, much preferring the company of her humans. If you don't have the time or inclination to let your Quaker out of the cage for one hour or so per day, consistently, then you'd be better off getting a bird more easily pleased (like a budgie). A quaker is a 'high maintenance' bird, not one that is happy to stay in the cage all day without mental stimulation. There's a little work involved. Hope this helps. |
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Post by waterloggedfun on Feb 21, 2019 11:48:35 GMT -5
Quakers have big personalities in their little bodies. All the problems mentioned here and those not mentioned, are always a possibility with any bird. In my experience, parrots are rarely unpredictable. They communicate mostly with body language and it is our job to learn their body language in order to better communicate with them. Do your research to avoid these problems in the first place because an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That said, Quakers are so funny and playful and like other parrots extremely social. This means they will love interacting with you as long as it is a positive experience for them. I recommend doing as much research as possible first so you are prepared before getting your bird. Ask questions here, go to reputable bird stores and ask them questions. Make sure you are willing to commit to 20+ years to this bird, several hours of time out of their cage each day, and at least a few hours of time to interact with you each day...for its entire lifetime. Unlike a dog, which loves you forever once they know you, birds will grow distant from you when not given enough attention even if at one point you were very bonded. Quakers also tend to lean towards one member of the household and become aggressive towards the rest. This gets old quickly and is a big reason they are rehomed. To avoid this, make sure the rest of your household wants the bird as well and are willing to spend time with him each day. There's a lot of information, but really its about making a commitment and doing your best. |
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