Quaker questions.

There we go...peddling vasa's again. Maybe Molly you are correct in your info, but yes they are pricey, not very pricey compared to other parrots their size but compared to a quaker yes. Eve cost me $1000. her cage cost me $500. Vasa babies I've seen go for any where between 800-1000 from a breeder, more if from a shop. There kinda like owning a parrot/raptor, but for all their raptor qualities they are really sweet harts and very dorky.

Zetar is right. play with as many parrots as you can of different types, you will be surprised in what you'll learn. Most people start off with their heart set on one type of bird only to end up with something completely different.

Well $1000 is *Real* steep. I'm a graduate student at the moment - which basically means I can't afford anything too expensive, and being a psych student, I really want a bird that has all to offer as far as intelligence is concerned. As soon as I can I'm going to transfer/move to AZ anyways, which will open up more doors for pets. I'm not going to lie - I have seen some conures that I liked, but they just don't seem to not stand up to a Quaker in my eyes and if I'm going to take a step into birds, I'll just have to wait until the time is right, I guess. I don't want to end up getting something else and think how much nicer it would be if I had waited and gotten what I originally wanted.

I'm probably not going to ever get a 2nd bird, because of birds' general longevity and I don't want a squak-fest around my apartment, so I really want to do it all right and make sure I am 100% happy with my decision. I will play with other parrots and some conures, but until I actually get a shot at really interacting with a Quaker, it would be impossible for me to say that I would like a different bird more. =(

Okay, I may sound stupid for asking, but why are Quakers illegal in some states? I'm totally stumped on that one. Thanks!

Quakers are very apt at surviving out doors even in very cold weather. There are about 10,000 living wild in Brooklyn NYC. Unfortunately they cause a lot of damage to farms, transformers, and street lighting. They use the light and transformer to build their nests on so they have heat in the winter. Smart little guys! But because of crop damage they have been banned in many states. Check out the link below if you interested.
BrooklynParrots.com: A Web Site About the Wild Parrots of Brooklyn

I've been doing some research and what I could come up with is this - Although the quaker parrot is illegal, it is somewhat on the same plane as ferrets (also illegal in the state of CA). What this means is that although they are illegal to buy and sell, no one enforces it to the owners of people just keeping them to keep. I made calls to local vets and had 0 problems finding veterinary clinics willing to see a quaker parrot, and they agreed with me when I asked them about the illegality status - that it is a law more geared to prevent breeding pairs of parrots from raising more instinct-based offspring that would flourish in the wild.

I'm still entirely interested in getting a quaker parrot above any other bird after doing a LOT of research on other birds. Quakers just seem to have all that I am looking for and nothing that I disapprove of - I even watched home videos of them from peoples' youtube accounts.

Although they do have the occasional loud outbursts and can be somewhat noisy, I don't see them as being that much worse than the cockatiel that I was used to that my girlfriend has. I've got TONS of patience for animals and don't mind possibly getting bitten by a cage-defensive quaker. At least it isn't my python is how I look at it, she makes my finger drip with blood when I get bitten but as with any animal - I see bites as being entirely my fault, as having done something to provoke it.

Anyways, I'll let you all know how this situation unfolds. I still have yet to call a wildlife department to talk with them about the legality status of these birds, but any additional information regarding this matter will be posted. I want to know EVERYTHING that I possibly can about any animal before I purchase them. I'm planning on moving to Phoenix, AZ in a year anyways... so if I need to wait, I don't think that a year is an unreasonable amount of time to wait if need be - given the Wildlife department's response. Unnecessary risk is never acceptable when getting a new pet.

Larry

Thanks for the info, Kimba! I remember seeing something on the national news about the Brooklyn parrots a while back, just didn't realize at the time that they were Quakers. Roxanne

I'm a new Quaker owner myself (Shane, he's fabulous!) I've only had him about 6 months now so I can't give you any advice, I just thought it was funny you miss the bird but don't mention your girlfriend. :-) lol! Maybe you should just move your girlfriend out to California. ;-)

Just get your bird from a dealer in AZ, give them AZ info if you give them any, and have your Quaker. So long as you don't call attention to yourself, nobody will be the wiser.

I have a 15 month old quaker parrot named pixel! i have just noticed that her feathers are no longer as well kept as she usulaly keeps them. Also, she does not as willingly come out of her cage for me. I've also noticed a few blood feathers on her and larger feathers on the bottom of her cage. What is going on? IS she sick or something? Thanks!

I have a 15 month old quaker parrot named pixel! i have just noticed that her feathers are no longer as well kept as she usulaly keeps them. Also, she does not as willingly come out of her cage for me. I've also noticed a few blood feathers on her and larger feathers on the bottom of her cage. What is going on? IS she sick or something? Thanks! ps-i really cant figure out how to use this thing i dont even know if i posted this or replied to something.