Post by melanie on Sept 14, 2015 19:29:26 GMT -5
I previously inherited a Quaker. My parents had him for about 7 years and then after my mom died, I had him for about 6 years. Before that, we don't know, he was recovered from outdoors and his original owner couldn't be located. He talked a blue streak, even imitated talk radio hosts. He was mean to everyone except me. My kids called him the "Green Demon". But he was lovable with me. I was devastated when I found him dead at the bottom of his cage, back in January 2015.
I went to the flea market last week to browse and ended up coming home with a baby Quaker. Not an ideal place to purchase a bird, but "he" chose me. He clearly didn't want to be handled by others, but when I offered my hand, he stepped up and then ran up my arm, snuggled under my chin and began to purr.
His band is stamped 08-30-2015 and the "breeder" said he had just recently been weaned...on a seed diet including sunflower seeds! <facepalm> It's taken me a week, but I've got him transitioned onto Zupreem avian entrees, pellets with bits of dried fruit. He's fairly clumsy. He just began foraging with his foot, seems he's a lefty. He's still not picking up one foot to sleep. I'm wondering if it's because he's still a bouncing, quaking, shaking baby who's still not sure of his footing. He doesn't over-fluff while sleeping and his head just rests on his back, not buried deep in a wing. Does this all sound normal? I've never had a baby before. The first time I saw him quake, I thought he might have neurological problems (now I know it's pretty common) but I was concerned!
I went to the flea market last week to browse and ended up coming home with a baby Quaker. Not an ideal place to purchase a bird, but "he" chose me. He clearly didn't want to be handled by others, but when I offered my hand, he stepped up and then ran up my arm, snuggled under my chin and began to purr.
His band is stamped 08-30-2015 and the "breeder" said he had just recently been weaned...on a seed diet including sunflower seeds! <facepalm> It's taken me a week, but I've got him transitioned onto Zupreem avian entrees, pellets with bits of dried fruit. He's fairly clumsy. He just began foraging with his foot, seems he's a lefty. He's still not picking up one foot to sleep. I'm wondering if it's because he's still a bouncing, quaking, shaking baby who's still not sure of his footing. He doesn't over-fluff while sleeping and his head just rests on his back, not buried deep in a wing. Does this all sound normal? I've never had a baby before. The first time I saw him quake, I thought he might have neurological problems (now I know it's pretty common) but I was concerned!
I have no experience with baby parrots as young as yours. Parrots do have different sleep habits, and not all of them will sleep with one foot up or with their head tucked under a wing, though that is a common sleeping stance for parrots. If you haven't already done so, I'd suggest taking your new QP to an avian-certified veterinarian (or one at least experienced with parrots) for a well-bird checkup-- always a good idea when welcoming a new parrot into the family. 
