I am a herp keeper at heart. I've got a python, 2 scorpions, and a uromastyx lizard (Won't get into too much detail on my current animals, as this is a bird forum). However, About 8-10 months ago, my girlfriend rescued a cockatiel that was found flying around her work because the co-workers that had caught it were going to break its neck. Well, long story short, I ended up being the one to get the bird to not be as nervous around humans anymore, got it to accept food from my hand, got it to like to socialize instead of freak out whenever someone came by its cage, etc... I spent a lot of time working with Birdface.
Needless to say, I got a little attached to the bird and vice versa... I never really kept anything other than invertebrates and reptiles and amphibians, although I did have to care for birds at pet stores before. This cockatiel taught me a lot about birds and why people have them at pets, so anyways I had to move to California for graduate school, away from my girlfriend and her bird and all that and I've been kinda missing the bird-interaction.
Basically, I did some reading and as far as I can tell, a Quaker would be perfect for me, but one big problem. I live in California. I just recently moved here so I'm not 100% sure on how illegal they are in this state, as far as the sale of them just being illegal, or the possession of them being illegal as well. Regardless, I've got my heart set on one of those darn Quakers.
Does anyone have any resources pertaining to the legality status of the Quaker Parakeet/Parrot in the state of California? Also, from a bird owner's perspective to someone who is used to predatory animals - are there any tricks or tips you can give me to help me understand the feathered world a little bit better? I'm basically an open book right now. Anything you guys can offer me as far as information is concerned would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a ton.
Tennessee
California
Wyoming
Connecticut
Georgia (breeding OK)
Hawaii
Kansas
Kentucky
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
With Restrictions
Maine and New Jersey require a permit (which is not always granted).
Ohio requires that pet Quakers have their wing feathers trimmed at all times
Thanks a lot for the information. Are they banned as on the same caliber as ferrets are banned (Only buying and selling is illegal, but no one really cares about possession) or banned as in police would acutally have a cow over a Quaker?
They seem like such awesome birds, and I can't really think of a different one that fits my interests and my lifestyle. =(
Cockatiels are cool, but it seems like they get kind of moody and some of them are just not into being handled at all and some love it. Almost is a gamble with getting one.
Hi and welcome! Have you considered green cheek conures? They are legal, and about the same temperament as a Quaker, but less talkative. And they are not as loud as the bigger conures. But yes I believe they are completely baned in CA.
Yeah I looked at the conures, but the talkativity is appealing by the quakers, in my opinion. Oh well, I want to move to Arizona soon anyways. Looks like I'll have to wait a bit for one. =(
Also keep in mind that talking is a bonus! Just because it's a quaker does not mean that it will talk. There are plenty of african grey, (the best talkers of the bunch) that never utter a word. In any event good luck with your search.
Also, if you're a "herp keeper at heart" maybe you don't want to rule out the Vasa!
I hope Kimba will correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is:
a) Vasas are the the only predatory parrot; and
b) Male Vasas are the only BIRD (not just parrot) to exhibit a hemi-penis while in mating condition, and such exhibition is otherwise only known among reptiles; and
c) In the wild, Vasas are known to bury their eggs in sand / dirt / what have you.
Cuddly? Vinnie cuddles almost every night. And then he drools on me. He puts his head down and looks at me through those pretty little lashes, and I just melt.
Like most other parrots, some Vasas talk, but there's never a guarantee. Vinnie is just over 4 months and talks baby talk, and his daily whistles are just so pretty I could listen to them all day long.
And Vasas are Smart! They take quick to training. Vinnie hasn't yet mastered potty training (but he's clipped) but in most other aspects he's eager to please.
I'm not just bragging I'm thinking that if you like reptiles AND parrots, a Vasa could be just right for you. Plus it would be nice to know someone who has both Vasa and reptiles who could report on their similarities.
But keep Vasas away from your lizards; as predators they might just hunt and eat them!
Yeah but how much $$$ would I have to shell out for a bird like that? It sounds like it would be pretty cool. My main thing that I am looking for is intelligence. From what I understand, the Quakers have intelligence that is on the same plane as African Greys (Which I was originally looking into, but they are too pricy, especially with the toy expense I would have to go though because they chew up more expensive toys). I understand that the talking is a bonus, but if looking for a bird with that kind of a bonus, I might as well make sure that he/she more than capable (I'll probably try to find a she that has been sexed, seeing as I am male and I hear they usually cooperate better with humans of a gender opposite to their own). I don't know... a Quaker seems like it is exactly what I am looking for.
I don't want a bird that is going to be HUGE, I want one that is smart, lovable, loves attention, etc. Quakers just seem perfect. Especially since I want to move to Phoenix to settle down, anyways. However, do you have any sites that you would recommend for information on Vassas? They do sound pretty interesting, I'm not going to lie.
Well if you do come to Phoenix i know of a couple of great places you should go to check out to see all the different types of parrots in action. As well as one place to avoid.
There are many types of birds that have those same qualities that you are looking for. You can go to some of the different birds places and check out Quarkers up close as well as some other types you might just surprise yourself what you come home with.
Quaker questions.
I'm thinking that if you like reptiles AND parrots, a Vasa could be just right for you. Plus it would be nice to know someone who has both Vasa and reptiles who could report on their similarities.
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