Not sure what to do

[FordNYC]

Well I've had my Quaker for a few weeks and I'm not sure what to do with him at this point. I bought him a new larger cage since the first one seemed cramped (it was the largest the pet shop had), got him plenty of toys, a few new perches.

He doesn't use ANY of them. He never goes anywhere near anything, still freaks out when I try to change the food, water, and cage lining. He just sits in one small area of the cage all the time, which includes sitting in and pooping in his food and water. He simply won't do anything.

All I'd read about Quakers before buying him led me to believe one thing, but the reality for me is entirely different. Seriously considering giving him up for adoption and sometime in the future trying again with a pair of budgies.
Feeling very much like I failed him somehow and I didn't see that coming. I have a picture that shows the new cage and him just hugging the one side of the cage, which is where he always goes.
Maybe I'll also post this in the general information area as well.

 

[Laurasea]

Hi,
If this is a current picture of the cage, which is such a wonderful size! He need more perches, and a visual sheild to retreat behind I'm one upper corner, you can use toys, or something so he can go to a perch behind something, to hide if wants.

What has likely happened was trauma at the pet store were kindly people forced hands and attention on him. I have too look for it tomorrow, buy I have a link on pet store trauma to newly weaned parrots.

As far as sitting in one spot and pooping in water and food. My rescue Penny did this for months when I first got her. So I know with time you can get past this. I'm so sorry that this poor guy had a rough start with humans, even if well meaning ones. And I'm sorry this is your experience , when you wanted a well adjusted guy to start out with.

Keep posting, keep sharing, keep trying got small success. I'm going to link Penny's thread for you to read.
http://www.parrotforums.com/quakers/76519-rescueing-penny.html

 

[FordNYC]

I didn't want a traumatized bird. Hell I can barely keep myself going. I wanted something I could bond with. It was what I needed in my life right now. This is just causing me stress and depression. I made the mistake of getting him from a pet shop, but I didn't know any other options at the time. Wish I had gotten one from a breeder. I appreciate all of your help and advice but i am very much considering putting him up for adoption and maybe starting over in the future. Honestly I can't handle months of this.

 

[Laurasea]

Sometimes we don't get what we want, buy we get what we need!

A few weeks isn't very long in the life of a bird, things can go slow at first.

He us trapped in a world of fear. But Quakers are very very social and smart! He needs and wants to be your freind. You can get there , I swear!

I'm so full up on birds, bit o would take him in an instant. If you weren't so far. And the whole coronavirus thing....

But I beg you to contact a local bird club and see if someone can give you in person guidance. O wish I was there and that I could.

 

[FordNYC]

I envy your experiences and admire your optimism. Looks like you've got some good parrots. Wish you could take mine, but alas. I'll see what I can do.
Thanks again.

 

[Laurasea]

Even my baby from the breeder took a little time to warm up.
My rescue was sweet and afraid and angry at first. She screamed around the clock too. She just say at her bowl partly because she was afraid the food would disappear...
My GCC once went close to six months hating me after a failed harness training, also last year I had a week of bites, were she developed a fear if hands and bit me would fly to me just to bite me, and wouldn't let me pet her. Took bribes patience and watching her body ques to whom her back.
There are many members here who hsv been in your shoes with new birds, gotten at breeders it let stores, or re-homed. Many many stories. They worked at bonding and making freinds. Sometime it isn't easy at the start. I hope others reply to your thread, and offer new advice and share experience

 

[wrench13]

Hi there. Giving him a hidey spot is a good idea. Also moving his water and food bowls away from the main perch will make him move around the cage more, so he owns more of the real estate and will cut down the amount of poops in both. Try adding a double handfuls of popsicle sticks to the bottom of his cage, quakers are natural born architects and construct huge communal nests in the wild. Quakers are very cage dominant, so any bonding etc should be done away from the cage, preferably in another room. I feel your pain but this little guy needs you as much as you need him , for support and companionship. Patience and love are going to bring you two to a new level.

 

[Ira7]

Are you sure this bird was home bred and not captured wild? It’s real tempting for people to trap them for the illegal pet trade.

Here in Florida, and some other states, they’re as common as pigeons in NYC. At one time, they were illegal to own in a state or two because of the damage they did to crops. My neighbor homed a wild one who took a liking to her, and that bird is an ANGEL, but of course, your mileage is varying.

I live in Coral Springs, Florida, and we have massive community nests for Quakers which hold dozens of birds each. You can’t miss them, but even if I don’t know where EVERY one is in town, my friends know them.

Get on a plane to come down here with him for a mini-vacation, and let’s introduce him to his new flock/family.

I know there are members here who might be outraged at letting a parrot go wild, and in 99.99% of cases, they’re right. But Quakers in South Florida?

Like I said...like pigeons in NYC.

 

[FordNYC]

Thanks for your advice So I have decided to keep him and do my best. Unfortunately because of the cage's construction I can't move the food and water dishes, and the perch only fits one way so I can't turn it the other way.
I do think he might be wild since I recall some of the birds in the pet shop had bands on their legs, which I saw was required in NYC, but the one I have does not.
They are getting pretty common up here as well. They nest out in Brooklyn:



https://theculturetrip.com/north-am...d-to-know-about-the-wild-parrots-of-brooklyn/


https://www.bbg.org/news/birds_of_brooklyn_monk_parakeet


Again, thanks everyone and I'm going to do my best!

 

[FordNYC]

Okay so after working with Nigel for a little longer, I realized that I really am not equipped to deal with a traumatized bird. Or maybe I don't know how to handle a parrot.

I count it as an experiment. I didn't do too well, so I took him back to the pet shop, since the owner is also a breeder. It turned out that he wasn't eating enough, which I didn't realize. He agreed to take him back and he exchanged him for two baby parakeets!
Now I've had parakeets before and I think I can do this better. They are already quiet and docile and aren't afraid. I look forward to getting to know them and I'll talk about that on the appropriate forum.
Thanks so much everyone for your help! It definitely encouraged me to try again and not to give up on birds as companions!