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Anthony
Apr 5, 2015 16:59:06 GMT -5
Post by susanbanthony on Apr 5, 2015 16:59:06 GMT -5
I'm sure there's no cause for worry especially since my blue Quaker parrot Anthony has started coming out of his shell since I adopted him at 3 years old this last December. He's been hand trained dice I got him and is smarter than he lets on and now has begun voicing step up as I play climb the ladder with him without any verbal prompt from myself. Also knows how to roughly voice hello, good boy, pretty bird, whatcha doin, growl like a dog when playing and whistle as far as I have heard these are the main things iv heard. I'm 20 years old going to college and didn't have room for a dog, this parrot has really grown on me and kept me sane through this last semester as we grow on eachother. He has some weird habits though on one of his perches where iv noticed him mimicking building a nest, although iv not provided any relevant materials for for this activity. But he also had these weird breathing excercises he only does on his perch next to his big rope toy and circles like a dog, I'm not sure what this is and if I should think anything of it.
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Anthony
Apr 5, 2015 19:09:06 GMT -5
Post by easttex on Apr 5, 2015 19:09:06 GMT -5
It sounds like you're seeing some hormonal behavior. Very typical this time of year. He might be focussing on the rope toy as a mate substitute, though it's hard to say from here. The best thing you can do to avert this in the future is to make sure he gets a lot of dark, quiet time every night, especially as the days start getting longer. I keep my birds in bed for 12 hours, year-round. It's not foolproof, but it helps.
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Anthony
Apr 6, 2015 12:53:23 GMT -5
Post by julianna on Apr 6, 2015 12:53:23 GMT -5
If you think he wants to build a nest... then give him some tools to play with. You can use wooden dowels (thin ones) or plastic tie wraps... or even plastic straws. My Oscar builds onto his nest every day and it is good to keep them busy and occupied. Also you can try thin slices of cardboard or even some strips of paper towel. It doesn't take much to find a toy that they will enjoy.
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Anthony
Apr 6, 2015 13:18:46 GMT -5
Post by susanbanthony on Apr 6, 2015 13:18:46 GMT -5
Oh thanks! I'll try that now.. I was never sure though wether or not it was a good idea to let them build a nest in there cage for territorial reasons but I'll try that for sure.
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Anthony
Apr 6, 2015 13:28:04 GMT -5
Post by aaron on Apr 6, 2015 13:28:04 GMT -5
Be warned that allowing them to build nests can increase hormonal behavior. We came to the conclusion that we shouldn't let our QP build nests because it drastically worsened her behavior. Clearly, not all of them are like this. Just food for thought.
As easttex said, making sure they get at least 12 hours of darkness every day can be very helpful in this regard as well.
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Post by easttex on Apr 6, 2015 16:38:00 GMT -5
My thoughts exactly, Aaron. Especially if there is any chance that Anthony could be female. You don't want it to progress to egg-laying. Some birds seem to be fine with nest-building, but for others it aggravates the breeding urge.
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Anthony
Apr 6, 2015 17:02:54 GMT -5
Post by susanbanthony on Apr 6, 2015 17:02:54 GMT -5
Ok, with that Iv also wondered about what the best way to find out the birds sex is and if there's ways to find breeders to breed a blue quaker like mine with/what age are best for breeding since mine is 3 years old about.
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Post by easttex on Apr 6, 2015 17:39:37 GMT -5
The only way to be sure of the sex, in the absence of egg-laying, is a DNA test. That requires either a blood draw or some freshly pulled feathers. Molted feathers won't do.
Breeding parrots is not like breeding dogs or horses, where you can take a female to a stud, and let things take their course. Parrots have to be part of a bonded pair. It's basically a lifetime commitment for them. If you get another quaker with the intention of breeding it with your pet, you really change the relationship your pet has with you. It will shift its interest to the other bird.
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Anthony
Apr 6, 2015 18:04:39 GMT -5
Post by susanbanthony on Apr 6, 2015 18:04:39 GMT -5
That's some good food for thought! Thanks for the helpful advice, at this point I would say it's more appealing to adopt another bird after more experience since it would be a while before I had the kind of time to really make a commitment like that. This Quaker is my first parrot and he's really coming along and I think he's taught me just as much as iv taught him... Iv thought about an African grey too or another quaker to keep Anthony a little more entertained besides being by my side for so much of the day, I will do more research though thanks hall have been pretty helpful so far!
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Post by aaron on Apr 6, 2015 21:59:22 GMT -5
It seems like you are already in the right mindset here, but just for emphasis-- Definitely take the time to understand the possibilities that can come with adding another bird to your flock, especially one as challenging and demanding as an African Grey... I personally went through a period of time where I was considering getting another bird (we have only one QP, and she is all the bird we need or want.. Haha), but it can really change things, even if your intentions are companionship, and not breeding. You basically have no idea if your birds will like each other, and it can make things significantly more complicated and potentially less fun. Not saying it can't go well, but there is certainly no guarantee that it will. As far as getting a Grey goes, remember that these guys can live 60+ years... You are making a lifelong commitment, one that I personally, at 33, would find quite daunting, so I would be very wary of doing so at the age of 20. These birds build their world around you, and at 20, your world is liable to change drastically for many reasons in the future... Anyhow, not trying to give you a lecture or anything, but simply encouraging you to do lots of research and think very carefully and thoroughly about the long term implications of any decisions you might make here  |
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Post by Jan and Shah on Apr 6, 2015 22:07:34 GMT -5
I agree with Aaron - think very carefully about getting another bird. I have 2 cockatiels - one of which was there before Shah. The other cockatiel is his grandfid and Shah was there when Spike was hatched. He hates them but I wont get rid of them. I often think of getting another bird for Shah but I am worried that he will hate them and it will make my life so much worse. Dont make any decisions just yet - give Anthony more time to come out of his shell and he may be all the bird you need |
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Post by easttex on Apr 7, 2015 4:58:35 GMT -5
I would not be worried about Anthony being bored with you and needing another companion. The more time you spend with him, the happier he will be. There is a lot you can do to enrich his environment, too. I have an African grey along with my Quaker. There isn't really a problem with keeping the two of them, but they do not interact at all. I don't know what she would do to Peppy Quaker if he were ever within her reach, but she appears to be fairly hostile toward him. I got Peppy because he really needed a home and not as a companion for her, so I don't mind. If you do decide to get a second bird, start with the assumption that they will not get along. Greys are wonderful birds and I love mine dearly, but they are very complicated and sensitive. Make sure you have a good idea of what you're undertaking before adopting one. |
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Post by susanbanthony on Apr 7, 2015 10:09:10 GMT -5
Great advice! Iv got a lot to think about I'll give it at least a couple months to a year before I'd even be in a place with room for another bird. Thanks again!
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Anthony
Apr 7, 2015 10:26:04 GMT -5
Post by aaron on Apr 7, 2015 10:26:04 GMT -5
Glad to help! Please feel free to come back to us with any questions you might have in the meantime.
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Anthony
Apr 9, 2015 10:04:12 GMT -5
Post by aaron on Apr 9, 2015 10:04:12 GMT -5
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