How to Care for a Quaker Parrot

The Quaker Parrot is a very inquisitive and intelligent bird. It has a fairly high ability for communication and will need a lot of attention. You can teach your parrot to speak and learn many words. Owning a Quaker Parrot and knowing how to properly care for it can be a very rewarding experience. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Food Bowls
• Cage Substrate
• Cement Perches
• Bird Food
• Bird Cage
• Bird Toys

1. Purchase an appropriately sized cage for your parrot. The minimum size should be 20 inches by 20 inches wide and 30 inches tall. The bars of the cage should be 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch.

2. Fill the bottom of the cage with an easily cleaned substrate; corn cob works well. You will need to change the substrate on a daily basis.

3. Feed the bird fortified seed and commercial bird pellets. Also feed the Quaker Parrot fresh fruits and vegetables as a treat.

4. Change the food and water cups on a daily basis.

5. Maintain a constant temperature in the room and avoid any extreme temperature fluctuations. Avoiding drafts and direct sunlight will help eliminate the risk of temperature fluctuations.

6. Provide your bird with cement perches to file their nails.

7. Bathe your Quaker on a weekly basis or more if demanded by the bird. Do this by providing a large dish with two centimeters or less of room temperature water and using a spray bottle to mist the bird as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Quakers can easily live 20 years in captivity so be sure you are ready to commit to a pet for this long.
• Avoid feeding your Quaker Parrot avocado, chocolate, alcohol and caffeine because they may be toxic to your bird.
• Owning a Quaker Parrot is prohibited or restricted in certain states due to the fact that they are considered a threat to crops. They are illegal in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Wyoming. You must own a permit to have one in Maine and New Jersey. Quakers must be banded in New York, Vermont and Virginia. Finally they must have their wings clipped in Ohio. Be sure to check with your own local laws or you could lose your pet.

[BobV]

on 10/21/2008 parrot feathers look dull