Quaker Parrots: Frequently Asked Questions

Yes they do. Green and gray are the most common color for quakers but there is also color "mutations" in blue, yellow, cinnamon, pied which is green and yellow in different patterns, albinos, and yellow-faced. These are hard to find and can be expensive because they are rare and prized birds for the mutations. The harder it is to find the more expensive it will be to buy.

Are quakers big parrots?

No, they are about the size of a cockatiel or even maybe a little smaller. Parrot wise they are small but bird wise they are a medium sized bird. They tend to weigh a little more than a cockatiel. They can weigh up to 120 grams.

How long can I expect my quaker to live?

Well this is a tricky one because your bird could live for years or not very long at all. A healthy quaker should be able to live for 20-30 years or longer. Quakers are very hardy birds. They are prone to some disease such as fatty liver disease which is caused by your bird being over weight. Theres also feather plucking. Something else you should watch for is colds.

I once had a love bird that almost died because he got an ear infection. I had a fish bowl in my room and when Spinnie would have play time he would always fly over to the tank and play in the water. I never knew that birds could get ear infections. I would watch your quaker around fish tanks; also keep an eye on them so they don't drown. Keep the toilet seats down.

How much do quakers cost?

This will all depend on where you live and how you want to buy your quaker. I have heard of people paying 50-200 dollars for the green quaker. Then seeing them in the pet store for 400-450 dollars. The three quakers I have bought have all been green and from the pet store. I paid 450 dollars for each one. This was in Eau Claire, WI though. I also saw my first blue quaker there they wanted 700-800 dollars for the hand-fed baby. I now live in NC and see the pet store sell the green quaker for three hundred dollars and the blue for five hundred dollars. Its all in how you choose to buy your quaker in how much the cost will be for the bird and if it is hand-fed or not.

Are quakers loud birds?

Yes all birds are loud. They do scream when they are upset, bored, and looking for their flock. You can help them quiet down by spending some time with them or by covering the cage with a cage cover. If you don't have a cage cover you can use a old sheet to cover the cage 'till you have time to play with your quaker. Quakers will view you and any other person in your home as part of her/his "human flock".

Can quakers talk?

Yes they can. They are very good with talking. They can learn to talk within 3 months of being taught. Quakers have even made it on the top ten list of best talking birds. Quakers are intelligent birds, they will repeat words at inappropriate times that will embarrass you so bad that you will want to crawl under a rock to hide and then they can say and do things at the appropriate time.

Is it true that they build nests?

Yes if you have more than one quaker of the different sex in the same cage. They build a little apartment the nest has three rooms and in the one that is the back they will lay the eggs, when they chicks hatch and get to be to big they will move them to the next room and lay more eggs. The front room is where the parents sit to guard the baby quakers. In the wild other quakers would build onto an already existing nest. They can become huge and extremely heavy.

What type of housing do I need?

A cage that will fit a cockatiel or bigger. Plenty of toys to change in and out to keep your quaker happy , a play gym for exercise and a good bowl for bathing. Food you can use cockatiel or parrot food with fresh veggies and fruit.

Can I breed my quaker?

Yes if you have a male and female. They will be ready at around two years old. You should buy materials they can use to build a nest. The first set of eggs is four to eight eggs and the second set of eggs will come when your chicks are about four weeks old and have moved into the next room to make room for new eggs. Incubation time is 23-26 days and hand-fed babies should be weened between eight and ten weeks of age.

Is it true that quakers are illegal in some states?

Yes! You should check your state to make sure you're not one of those states. They are illegal because of many people fearing that they will take over large areas of land and destroying all vegetation in their way. Another reason is disease. Hawaii doesn't want any quakers or anything else brought there in fear of spreading disease. That is why when people move there they have to have proof of shots being up to date and they are put in quarantine for a while to make sure they are showing no signs or symptoms of disease when bringing their dogs or cats over there.