Quakers are active, inquisitive, mischievous, intelligent, playful, and engaging parrots. Their antics are a constant delight to their owners. They are completely devoted, bonding closely with their human owners. Purchasing a handfed, well-socialized baby is a good way to obtain a parrot with great pet potential, although with love and patience, most parrots can become great pets. Quakers are exceptionally hardy birds. They can live to be 25 to 30 years of age.

Quakers love their toys and will approach a newly introduced toy much sooner than the average bird.

• However, they do become bored with them more quickly than most birds - therefore, a frequent change is recommended. Most parrot owners rotate toys frequently.

They are strong chewers and can rapidly demolish even rigid items -- which must be kept in mind for their safety. Keeping Quakers entertained will keep their minds off inappropriate activities.

 They are also very "mechanically inclined" - being able to figure out most cage locks in no time, and disassembling toys with ease. Many pet owners describe how their pets industriously build nests placed around the house using shredded paper, pencils, tooth picks, or any material that they can find. Some single Quakers don't actually build nests, but, enjoy weaving various materials through the bars of their cages.

Quaker Parakeets are usually very vocal and capable talkers. Many Quakers sing songs and pick up extensive vocabularies. Most Quakers learn to talk at about six months. They speak quite clearly and use their skills most appropriately. They can entertain themselves for hours chirping, whistling and practicing human vocalizations. The opinions as to how noisy they are as pets vary -- some consider them very noisy, while others describe them as moderately noisy and might even enjoy their chattering. The rule, however, is that they will be noisier if other parrots are around, as they like to "hold long (and noisy) conversations" with them. The Quakers also acquire modelled loud sounds, such as barking, screaming and the chronic coughing of a human.

• Owners often make the mistake of reinforcing undesirable sounds; the best response to inappropriate sounds, in most cases, is to ignore them, not by rewarding them with a reaction, such as shouting.

• Training and good role-modelling can help reduce the noises these parrots make. Teaching him or her to talk will also divert their vocalizations.

 

Quakers are notorious for being cage possessive. They could severely injure, or even kill, a bird that enters their cage uninvited. So it's important to make sure that they are not placed together with other birds into the same cage until they have had time to bond with their prospective cage mate.

 

The Quaker Parakeets respond well to training If these parrots are neglected, they can develop behavioural problems, such as screaming and aggressive behaviours.

• Training, appropriate care, a stimulating environment and daily interaction is required to ensure the well-being of this intelligent parrot - and the successful integration into its human family.

• Also consider purchasing DVDs to: Redirect Negative Behaviours in your Pet bird for some excellent tips and tricks at birdtricks.com