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Post by nomadasdelsiglo21 on Jul 2, 2015 11:44:36 GMT -5
Hi peeps,
After several years of traveling i have recently settled down in Spain where quakers seem to be popular birds. After several months doing some research many birdpeople pointed me in this direction and said: quakers will give you everything you need and more.
So here i am to learn some more from you guys who own them. Could you maybe tell why you chose a quaker?
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Post by aaron on Jul 2, 2015 13:40:44 GMT -5
Welcome! Quakers are wonderful birds, but I did not really know that when we got ours, Cupcake. I chose her because I was frequenting a pet store and saw her sweet self sitting there for months on end, looking very thoughtful... And fell in love with her. In the end, my wife and our roommate at the time surprised me with her. This was a very exciting day, and I am very happy to have her... But I have to insert a disclaimer-- it is not a good idea to buy birds as a surprise gift  . Nor an impulse purchase of any sort. It worked out for us, but I would say 90% of the time such a scenario would not work out for the bird. Quakers are incredibly intelligent, very emotional, very loving and inquisitive birds. They are headstrong, sometimes demanding little ones-- they will capture your heart by force. . They are also very good talkers, although we happen to have one that is not a talker, but that is quite rare. They are, like all parrots, a LOT of work and are a massive commitment. I always say to prospective bird owners-- be prepared for the flexibility of your existence to be substantially decreased essentially indefinitely. If you are ready for that, you are ready for bird ownership . Good luck and keep us posted on how your decision goes!! |
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Post by easttex on Jul 2, 2015 14:23:33 GMT -5
Well, I didn't exactly choose my Quaker. His person died, and Peppy wound up in the care of a friend, who asked me if I wanted to take him. I had toyed with the idea of getting another bird to keep my grey company, but hesitated because she is so bonded to me. I thought this could work, because Peppy was cage-bound and I frankly didn't have high hopes that I would ever be able to really handle him comfortably. So he would be bird company, but probably would not make her jealous. It it turns out that is a little love sponge who enjoys snuggling, cuddling and preening me. Not that he doesn't have his more difficult days... Fortunately, Allie seems to be taking it in stride. For me, the appeal is that there is so much personality packed into a pretty small parrot. They're complex enough to be a challenge, but they're not inclined to be really high strung like some of the larger parrots. Each one is an individual, of course, but in general I'd say they tend to be rather bold and sassy, which I enjoy. |
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Post by nomadasdelsiglo21 on Jul 2, 2015 15:33:22 GMT -5
Thank you for your replies guys. Aaron yes i do realise it is a commitment. I have been keeping, training and breeding American staffordshires before and was looking for another challenge to occupy myself with as i don't work that much  I do not wann go back to dogs and staffords are highly restricted and prejudiced on in spain and a rabbit probably doesn't give me the posibilities and abilities i look for in a pet. I have been reading and talking to people for some months now but the wish is already there for several years. It's not an impulse at all and i have neither bought one yet. But the more i read about them and talk to the people who own them the more determined i get that i am in love already. Only thing i wonder about is if i could find someone around me who can birdsit sometimes. How do you arrange that? I can imagine it can be complicated when your bird decides to dislike that person or one of their family members. |
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Post by julianna on Jul 2, 2015 16:06:17 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum. When I got my Quaker, I had done some research (I definitely wanted a bird) and chose a Quaker because of their personality and that they would be a friend for a very long time. I did not realize the amount of fun I would have with him and I certainly love having him around me all day. It is amazing the different foods that they love and how attached they get to their owner.
When I wanted a bird sitter, I first had my Mom and that worked out fine until she moved to a senior citizens home. I was really afraid that I would not find someone to care for him similar to the way I do. I advertised in the newspaper, and unfortunately I had bad results with all of the people who answered. Finally I went to the woman who sold me the bird and told her that if she couldn't help me that she may have to take him back (which she promised to do) and if she could not... then I hate to think of the alternative.
Finally she did recommend someone who had birds (one is a quaker) so I jumped on the opportunity and pay her very well. The last two week vacation I took cost me $500.00. It was worth every penny. My little Oscar is happy and healthy and I got my vacation. Life is good.
I hope you can find someone and it is very wise of you to look into this prior to making the commitment.... as the results may not be what you want them to be.
Quakers can easily not like one of their family members and this goes whether they are flighted or not. However, you can overcome this by having more interaction with all family members and by ensuring the bird knows that everyone will save him from a bad situation.
They are lovely pets and I always say they are a cross between a cat and a dog. One day they will not look at you or obey you... (like a cat does sometimes) and then on the other hand they will greet you and love you back... (like a dog can).
Good luck on your decision. I have never regretted mine (except when I couldn't find a sitter).
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Post by aaron on Jul 2, 2015 16:12:09 GMT -5
Well it sounds like you are on the right track and have the right mindset to be a good parrot owner. They are certainly challenging, but equally rewarding. As easttex said, they pack a ton of personality into a small bird package. They probably have the most large-bird-like personality of the small birds. Many people use the option of boarding their birds at an avian vet, or something to that effect. Personally we haven't wanted to do that, and we have my parents who also have a bird to bird-sit... But they aren't always available and it's becoming clear that we're going to need to find some other option, especially if we ever take a trip with my parents. Currently our bird is enamored with my father, and even though he has a bird, he doesn't seem to realize that he can't stroke her back without stimulating her hormones, so we have the opposite problem. Last time we picked her up she was more hormonal than I'd ever seen her and was obsessed with him, and wouldn't leave him alone. But yes, lots of people run into issues where the bird loves them and is aggressive toward their family members... When we got Cupcake she was like that... loved me and would attack everyone else. Over time we've broken her of that but it took many months, and lots of one on one time between her and the others without me present, among other tactics, to change this. But it can be done! Now she loves everyone in the house. Sometimes me the least! |
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Post by cnyguy on Jul 2, 2015 20:23:21 GMT -5
Welcome to the Forum! Strictly speaking, I didn't choose a Quaker-- a Quaker chose me.  I lived for 40 years with a Yellow-crowned Amazon parrot, George, who passed away in 2010. After I while, I was ready to welcome another parrot into my life and began shopping locally to see what was available. In one pet store, I met Ralph the Quaker parrot. When he was brought out of his cage to meet me, he sat on my arm, happily pulling hairs out of my wrist and purring contentedly. I think he knew then that he'd chosen me, but it took me a while longer to realize that. I wasn't as familiar with Quakers as with some other types of parrots, and did some research, which included joining the older version of this Forum. Eventually, I went back to that store and brought Ralph home to stay, and things have never been the same since-- and I wouldn't have it any other way. I have someone who could look after Ralph in an emergency, and others who could take care of him longer-term if needed-- but in my area, there are other options. There are two pet stores that board parrots, and some vets also will do so. And the local parrot rescue will sometimes parrot-sit for a short time. |
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. Nor an impulse purchase of any sort. It worked out for us, but I would say 90% of the time such a scenario would not work out for the bird. 
I do not wann go back to dogs and staffords are highly restricted and prejudiced on in spain and a rabbit probably doesn't give me the posibilities and abilities i look for in a pet. 
I lived for 40 years with a Yellow-crowned Amazon parrot, George, who passed away in 2010. After I while, I was ready to welcome another parrot into my life and began shopping locally to see what was available. In one pet store, I met Ralph the Quaker parrot. When he was brought out of his cage to meet me, he sat on my arm, happily pulling hairs out of my wrist and purring contentedly. I think he knew then that he'd chosen me, but it took me a while longer to realize that. I wasn't as familiar with Quakers as with some other types of parrots, and did some research, which included joining the older version of this Forum. Eventually, I went back to that store and brought Ralph home to stay, and things have never been the same since-- and I wouldn't have it any other way.