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Post by lutinosunshine on Jun 25, 2022 20:21:15 GMT -5
I am a recently adopted bird mom to a Lutino Quaker Parrot named Sunshine. She is five years old and being rehoused to me is her second time.
The family I got her from only had her a month and gave advice like put her in a small box for punishment, socialize her by putting a bird video and let her out of her cage every other day.
I have no experience with birds, but reject the advice they gave me until I can get a second opinion. I have heard that Quaker's are not a good first bird, but I love this little yellow clown and have vowed to spend the rest of my life with her so we are going to have to coexist. Any help is appreciated.
Shannon
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Post by Caseysmom on Jun 26, 2022 15:30:15 GMT -5
Hi and welcome! I am glad they rehomed sunshine to you! That’s very bad and very sad advice, it sounds like sunshine had a stormy first home.
Just go slowly with sunshine and talk to her, she will love to listen to you and interact with you. Casey comes out of his cage each day, every night he eats dinner on the top of the cage, other times when it’s safe his door is open. He can choose to hang out on top or go back inside. I don’t think anyone would respond well to punishment like that. If she nips at you just say no bite, and walk away you don’t need to punish them but if you give a big reaction that could be seen as a reward to a Quaker. They love drama.
There are lots of resources on here if you read through sone of the past threads. Also, all questions are welcome
Looking forward to hearing more about Sunshine
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Post by cnyguy on Jun 26, 2022 19:00:17 GMT -5
Happy to have you and Sunshine join us on the Forum. 😊 You're off to a good start by rejecting the advice you got from Sunshine's previous owners. It sounds like Sunshine has a much better home with you.
Caseysmom offered a good suggestion. There's lots of good advice and helpful suggestions in many of the posts here. You might also get ahold of a book about Quaker parrots. Guide to the Quaker Parrot by Mattie Sue Athan is a good choice and Pamela Leis Higdon's The Quaker Parrot-- Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet is another good book.
Please do ask any questions you may have, and enjoy your stay on the Quaker Parrot Forum.
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Post by lutinosunshine on Jun 27, 2022 10:40:55 GMT -5
Thank you for all the advice I will get both of those books. I love spending time with her and I've been told since she's already 5 years old she will probably never speak but I'm perfectly okay with that I love the sound of her chirping squawking and squeaking.
I just wish she would get more comfortable being a little closer to me. She does not have to ride on my shoulder or step up at this point and she is still terrified of my hands unless I have Millet seed branch between my fingers. Whenever I offer her a safflower seed something that tiny only gets me bitten. But I have nothing but time and appreciate the time she does spend with me.
I have been reading many of the threads here and find them fascinating. I am so glad to have found this resource and appreciate all of the advice and tips I've been getting thank you again.
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Post by lutinosunshine on Jun 27, 2022 11:26:49 GMT -5
I should be careful what I wish for. Keep saying I want her to get closer to me and now she's stealing the reasons out of my oatmeal the little stinker she does not normally get this close to me now I'm going to have to make her future breakfast include oatmeal LOL
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Post by lutinosunshine on Jun 27, 2022 11:28:32 GMT -5
Stealing raisins not reasons, silly me.
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Post by cnyguy on Jun 27, 2022 19:12:03 GMT -5
It's still possible for an older parrot to begin to imitate speech, so don't give up hope. Parrots are capable of learning new things well into old age. If there are words you'd like Sunshine to learn, repeat them often and use them in context whenever possible. Eventually she may surprise you and say something. Before long, you'll discover that there are different meanings to the various squeaks, squawks and other things Sunshine may say in Quaker Parrot language and you will be able to interpret what she's telling you.
If Sunshine is already stealing food from you, you're off to a good start toward getting closer. 😊
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Post by lutinosunshine on Aug 31, 2022 17:20:05 GMT -5
Sunshine and my relationship has come so far since we began to cohabitate. She just stepped up on my hand for the first time yesterday and stayed there for 5 minutes while I fed her treats. I cannot believe this is the same bird that came into my life just a few months ago. Thank you for all of your advice and recommendations on which books to read. Things are going so much more smoothly now that I'm treating her like a bird. We keep growing and I keep learning
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Post by cnyguy on Aug 31, 2022 20:02:27 GMT -5
It's nice to get an update and good to know that things are going well for you and Sunshine. Keep posting and keep us informed as your bond continues to build and more progress is made.  |
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Post by Caseysmom on Aug 31, 2022 20:43:22 GMT -5
Sounds like you and Sunshine are making excellent progress! Congratulations on all your hard work and research to get to this stage!
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Post by biteybird on Sept 24, 2022 7:04:47 GMT -5
Hi and welcome, although I'm quite late to this thread. Cnyguy is right, they can learn words at any age and will surprise you. We don't particularly try to teach Bonnie words, but she picked up a lot on her own (just imagine what you could accomplish with consistent effort, if you really want your bird to talk). Bonnie seems to delight in hiding her verbal skills from us. Usually she gives herself away by saying her best words when she thinks we can't hear, like if we are downstairs. As soon as we go back upstairs and she knows we're there, she turns into a stuffed animal...AAAGGHHH! |
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