Seeking info on quakers

[Talven]

So I met a lovely pair of Quakers yesterday and would love to hear from owners, rather than someone trying to sell me a bird, what they are like as companion parrots. If I ever get another bird I'm considering making it a Quaker.

Are they very noisy? Not as in loud noisy but constantly making noise like budgies do. I have Conures and a Galah so volume isn't an issue. Are they big chewers? How needy are they? Independent like a cockatiel or very needy like Conures? Obviously this will be dependent on the individual bird.

I guess I'm looking for a real opinion of them rather than a "fluffed" opinion that people selling them offer. In general all they want is to get paid rather than be truthful.

 

[Scott]

"When Harry Met Allee" was lovingly and humorously written by our beloved former moderator Allee. Highly recommended primer of discovery and life with a quaker! Right here on the forum, also available as Kindle book via Amazon: http://www.parrotforums.com/incredi...s-bird-lovers/65239-when-harry-met-allee.html

 

[Talven]

Thanks for the link to the post. It was an interesting read. It certainly shows that for a smallish bird they are packed with a big personality. The pair that I met certainly showed some of the characteristics mentioned. Certainly the devious side anyway. One of the two would bow it's head and fluff up asking for a scratch pressing up against the bars. The moment a finger got close though both birds would try and remove as much of the offending appendage as they could. Almost like they were hunting for fingers. Bait with a trap at the end.

Would love to hear the views of some of those who own them. I imagine that there would be very diverse personalities from bird to bird.

 

[Scott]

Certainly the devious side anyway. One of the two would bow it's head and fluff up asking for a scratch pressing up against the bars. The moment a finger got close though both birds would try and remove as much of the offending appendage as they could. Almost like they were hunting for fingers. Bait with a trap at the end.

My semi-tame goffin patriarch does that on occasion. He has what appears to be a smirk when trolling for flesh. I indulge him on occasion knowing my trigger instinct allows a quick removal when he's 'in the mood."

 

[cnyguy]

My QP Ralph is an exception to many of the generalizations you're likely to hear about Quaker parrots. He's relatively quiet and even tempered and not cage aggressive, unlike the reputation QPs have. He's very intelligent, curious and inquisitive. He's playful and has a well-developed sense of humor too. He can also be quite stubborn, which is true of many parrots of all kinds. He doesn't bite often, but he likes to play a game where he pretends to bite (I mentioned the sense of humor). He knows a lot of words and understands their meaning, but he's not really talkative. I'm sure someone will come along and describe their QP and it will sound quite different from what I've written.

 

[Talven]

It just goes to show that they have a diverse range of personalities. Never know what you're going to get.