New member with a Quaker Parrot

[crackofdawn]

Hello everyone, I just thought I'd introduce myself. My wife and I purchased a young (~4 months old at the time) Quaker Parrot back in September. Things have gone great since - he's a huge talker already (Can say Step Up, How ya doing, I'm an eagle, huh?, Give me a kiss, and make kiss sounds), he's been super comfortable with us since day 3 or 4 (has no issues coming to either of us, stepping up, hanging out on our shoulder, isn't cage or food aggressive, and lets us put him back into his cage without any fighting or resisting). He's also not terribly loud (he doesn't squawk at all hardly, just chatters/talks all day long if hes in his cage). We even were able to get him onto a pellet diet after a couple months (he was on 100% seeds when we got him). The only thing about him is he doesn't particularly like to be touched on the head or neck, so we can't pet or scratch him really (he'll growl and nip us lightly). He doesn't mind any other part of his body touched (toes, back, tail, etc), so that's good at least. I've started using clicker training and am hoping that with some clicker training he will grow to like being scratched on the neck/head, but I guess only time will tell. (Right now I just click and give him a treat if he lets me touch his head or neck at all without nipping).

We're still trying to decide whether to flight him or not. He was already clipped when we got him and he glides off his cage constantly. Either way I'll probably train him to fly between 2 perches (or to me) even if we leave him clipped.

Anyway, just thought I'd introduce myself. This is a great site from what I've seen so far!

[CarlosQuaker]

Welcome!! I have a Quaker too! I bought my Quaker, like you, clipped. We let ours stay flighted for a while. He loved it! We didn't have to worry about working out when to put him back in the cage, because he returned at his own will. He also sat on top of the TV, and watched us or looked out the window. I recently had my Quaker clipped at the vet as we're going on holidays with him. He's like half a bird now. He really missed flight.
Ultimately, whether you clip your Quaker or not is up to you, but they're still amazing birds regardless. I'm sure he'll make progress on the head scratch issue, clicker training is the best way to deal with it!

Good luck with your Quaker! And please keep us updated

[pionus]

Hi, and welcome!

regarding clipping, and without getting to deep into it, i think flight is always best. birds have wings, and it makes no sense to take them away.
also, let's say another pet or someone else's pet like a dog comes running into the room. the bird is on the perch/cage/stand ect. and it startles, falls, and can't catch itself, and lands on the floor at the feet of the dog. or, maybe someone/thing like a child comes up to it and grabs it. the bird could of flown away, but can't because it's wings are clipped.


and i will tell you now that the stariotype dangers like ceiling fans, windows, door, all that, can be avoided by A. have ceiling fans off while the bird is out, B. keep blinds/drapes closed while bird is out, or until the bird knows the limmits of the room, and C. DO NOT HAVE WINDOWS OPEN UNLESS THERE IS SOME KIND OF BARRIER BETWEEN IT AND OUTSIDE WHILE THE BIRD IS OUT.


That is just my take on clipping, and i hope it gives you some insight and helps you decide.

on another note, it sounds like you have a wonderfull bird at that you are very responsible owners, and are doing a great job with him. i hope you and your fid have many years together!

[friend2parrots]

welcome to the forum!

if you are undecided about whether to clip, pionus has offered some great advice. also, please check out the forum owner Michael's blog post titled "How to Properly Clip a Parrots wings (Don't Clip at All)" and the video that goes with it, in the blog section.

all the best!

[crackofdawn]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! One thing that made me chuckle was the point about other animals in the house and the bird being able to get away if he gets caught on the floor when the animal walks into the room:

We have a female boxer (~70 lbs) and she is terrified of our Quaker. Or should I say the Quaker is not in any way scared of the dog. He'll frequently flutter down and land right next to her and she immediately gets up and runs away while he tears off after, chasing her with his mouth open.

Now, we don't let that happen for more than a second because we don't want the dog to accidentally hit him with her paw or something (and ideally we'd love for them to get along but I don't see that happening), but I do find it pretty hilarious

[pionus]

Haha! that does sound funny, but yes, keep intervening, or better yet not have them out together at the same time so that that can't even happen. and i bet you dog would be grateful!

[Pricey_boy]

Welcome to the forum mate.

A few months ago I stopped clipping my birds and my relationship with them Is a 1000 times better and it also prevents biting.

About the head touching and scratching I don't think you would need to train him into coz over more and more time your birds let you touch different parts of their body.my lorikeet was always scared when I got him and after a few months he startes jumping to my shoulder after about a year I was able to lift his wings and check him out properly and about a year and a half he started laying in my hand on his back.i don't think you can teach a bird to enjoy something either they do or they don't but over time your bird learns to trust you more and will enjoy you touching him