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| QUAKER PARROTS |
| Because pet birds generally spend much of their time in cages, it is best to purchase the largest cage that your budget allows for your new friend. Bar spacing of up to 5/8" is suitable. Cage dimensions of 18"w x 18"d should be considered the bare minimum. The largest cage you can find that is suitable for a cockatiel or a small conure would be a great choice for a Quaker. A very important item in a Quaker's cage is toys. Most birds enjoy toys, but with Quakers this seems to be especially true. Quakers are intelligent and curious birds, and if toys are not provided for entertainment, a Quaker may find less than desirable ways to relieve boredom such as screaming or feather plucking. Toys made for cockatiels and small conures would also be suitable for a Quaker. Keep two to three toys in the cage at a time. Rotating the toys on a regular basis with others you have on hand will keep your Quaker happy. There are many different suggestions concerning diets, but most would agree that a seed-only diet does not provide complete nutrition for most birds. Pellets have been developed to meet the nutritional needs of birds, so they should be a small part of a bird's diet. You also need to provide healthy, fresh foods such as veggies and fruits on a regular basis, and since my birds truly relish the fresh foods, it would be impossible for me to deny them their fresh foods. Fresh water should be provided and changed on a daily basis if not twice. An interesting fact about Quakers is that they are the only parrot species that build nests. The nest actually consists of 3 areas. You could say that one area is a bedroom, another is a living room and the third is a front porch area. Eggs are laid and incubated in the back bedroom. When the chicks are about a month old, they are moved to the living room, and more eggs may then be laid in the bedroom area. The parents then use the porch area to guard their eggs and babies. Quakers are prolific and easy breeders. They are sexually mature at 1-2 years of age, although it's usually closer to the latter. The average clutch size is four to eight eggs, and a second clutch is usually started when the first chick is about 4 weeks old. Incubation time is 23-26 days, and babies fledge at six to eight weeks of age. Handfed babies wean at eight to ten weeks of age, although some Quakers wean earlier or later. Materials for nest building appear to be much appreciated by the pair, but is not absolutely essential for a pair to go to nest. The Quaker is a very hardy bird. They appear to thrive in even the coldest of climates. Colonies of free-flying Quakers exist in many of the eastern states. It is for this reason that several states have laws that prohibit Quakers. If you purchase your Quaker from Feather Focus, I will be with you every step of the way to answer any questions. |
| Welcome to my Quaker Parrots Lodge I would like to introduce you to the charming, lovable little parrot called the Quaker Parakeet, also often referred to as the Quaker Parrot. The Quaker is also known as the Monk or Grey-Breasted Parakeet and originally its native territory was extreme south eastern Brazil. |
| The Quaker is a small parrot, reaching 11-12 inches in length. As a comparison, the Quaker is a bird similar in length to a Cockatiel. Quaker's average weight is 95 to 135 grams. The overall color of a Quaker is green, with pale grey on the forehead, cheeks, & throat extending down the chest. On the chest, the grey feathers are white-tipped, giving a scalloped effect. Some blue can be found in the tail and flight feathers. The eyes are dark brown, and the bill is horn colored. Young birds look the same except the colors are not as bright as on adult Quakers. The sex cannot be determined by physical appearance, only by DNA/sexing. There are several color mutations in Quakers, although many color varieties are not yet commonly available. The blue mutation has become more established in this country, and many are being kept as treasured companions. Some of the more rare mutations are Lutinos, Pieds, Albinos, Cinnamon Blue, Pallid Blue also known as Ice Blue, Grey Green, Fallow and a few others. Quakers can live to be 25 to 30 years of age and perhaps even longer. They are very hardy birds. In fact, there are wild colonies of Quakers in many of the eastern as well as the southern states, and they thrive in cold climates! Some Quakers are prone to Fatty Liver Disease. To ensure that your Quaker has the longest lifespan possible, do not allow it to become overweight and make sure you stay away from the all-seed diets as well as other high fat foods. Feather plucking is sometimes seen in Quakers. This may be a result of physical and/or behavioral reasons, so an examination by an avian vet is strongly recommended, as it is with any feathered friend. Due to the fact some Quakers are prolific & easy breeders, they are reasonably priced. Handfed green Quaker babies can be purchased for $150 to $250. Blue Quakers can be purchased for around $400-600. The more rare types of Quakers to name a few are the Cinnamon Blues, Pallid Blue or Ice Blue, Lutinos, Albinos, Fallows, Gray Blue or Gray Greens can range from $650 on up to $6000 a Quaker depending on the mutation. Quakers are intelligent, comical and engaging birds. They have a wonderful zest for life that is contagious. Their personalities are always "on", and they never seem to wake up on the wrong side of the perch, so to speak. Quakers can be little escape artists - they actually figure out how to open their cage doors. Quakers are mechanically inclined! It only takes them a few moments to figure out how to get the treats out of a puzzle. If I forget to put the locks back on my Quakers doors, they will get out and let all the other birds out of ther cages as well. They want everyone included in their Party! Quakers are also fearless birds. Just be aware of this tendency in Quakers, and be ready to step in to protect your other feathered friends if necessary. Purchasing a handfed, well-socialized baby is a sure way to get a terrific pet. You should realize, however, that if you purchase an older bird or one that was parent-raised, it may take some time and work to make this bird a good companion. When you hear those sweet squeals of pure joy when you walk in the door (especially after a tough day), you'll know it is worth the effort! Most Quaker Parakeets are vocal. I'm sure there are some Quaker owners who consider them quiet birds. My Quakers can entertain themselves for hours practicing their chirps, whistles and human vocalizations. The level of their vocalizations for the most part, is moderate and is not disturbing. In fact, I really enjoy listening to their chatter. Quakers usually have a few vocalizations but are limited to short period of time during the day. If you house more than one parrot in the same room, as with any bird, you can expect a higher noise level. Tips for minimizing the noise include covering the cage for a few minutes, giving baths (not as a punishment but as a way to release pent-up energy), whispering to the bird and providing a special treat - especially one that takes some time and effort to eat. You will be able to anticipate when your Quaker is going to be noisy and can take steps to prevent it. For example, if you are going to watch a movie and actually want to be able to hear the actors, give your Quaker a drenching bath and 3-4 Lafeber Nutriberries just before the show starts. By the time it's done eating the treats and preening out all of those wet feathers, it will have much less interest in having a volume contest with the TV. Quakers have an amazing capacity to imitate both sounds and human speech. Bird Talk magazine placed the Quaker on the "Top Ten List of the Best Talking Birds" While their speech doesn't equal the quality of an African Grey or some of the Amazons, it is definitely good enough to be clearly heard and understood. They often use their large vocabularies of sounds and words at the most appropriate times. Most Quakers start talking at 6 months or so, although many start during hand-feeding! |
| I HAVE BLUE QUAKER BABIES FOR SALE... RESERVE YOURS TODAY! |
| Cinna Blues Cinna Greens Pallid Blues (Ice Blues) Lutino White Winged Pallids Blues |
| Dark-Eyed White Quaker |
| at Feather Focus |