First time parrot owner from Australia

Matt_95 · Aug 13, 2014

Hi all,
I'm preparing to get my first parrot sometime in the next few months, I am wanting to get a blue quaker parrot. I have previously owned gouldian finches however looking back on that I do not believe I was mature or old enough to care for them properly.
I've had animals my entire life and currently I have a small reef aquarium, a salamander and a few tarantulas.
Living in Australia we are surrounded by wild parrots as well. We are regularly visited by little corellas, sulphur crested cockatoos, pale faced rosellas, galahs and rainbow lorikeets. The toos and lorikeets in particular are very friendly as are the galahs. I've seen lots of other parrots out and about as well.

Matt

Peepers · Aug 13, 2014

Welcome and congrats on getting a new parrot. You are doing it the right way, not jumping right in, good for you. People here know lots so if you ave any questions just ask. And congrats again!!!!

Matt_95 · Aug 13, 2014

Thanks Peepers! I've been researching since last year and I've changed my mind about which bird I want a few different times (gcc, kakariki, cocktail ect.). However I think that a quaker is the best bird for me. I do also like caquies but they're harder than Quakers to find here.

Betrisher · Aug 13, 2014

G'day Matt 95 and welcome to the forum! Where do you live? I'm in Newcastle, NSW and we have a few other Oz members from as far apart as Q'ld and SA. I'm glad you chose to do some homework before choosing your bird and I hope you find the perfect one to be your companion. Please, always feel free to ask questions as there's always someone able to answer them!

Matt_95 · Aug 13, 2014

Thanks for the welcome, I'm from Brisbane. Glad to know there's a few members locally.

Allee · Aug 13, 2014

Hello and Welcome, Matt! Your research will pay off. Quakers make great family members. Your local wild birds sound amazing.

tab_xo · Aug 13, 2014

Hey Matt!!

You are the closest person i have seen on the forums! I live near Brisbane too..

I actually had a blue quaker when i was younger.. He was incredible.. Can't go wrong with one

I purchased him from a breeder, but he was untame and in an aviary, but he bonded to me very quickly!

RavensGryf · Aug 13, 2014

Welcome Matt! Blue Quakers are so pretty. I've never seen a blue one in person since where I live they're illegal. I've seen a couple greens though!

I'd love to see the wild parrots! Ooh, Pale Faced Rosellas! In the South Western US, we just have a few species of wild Amazons and Conures.

Amy07 · Aug 14, 2014

Hi Matt,

I'm from Gladstone, Queensland. So good to see some more Aussies. :red1:

Peepers · Aug 14, 2014

I LOVE quakers, I think you have made a perfect choice. I personally don't have one but have read they have a sweet nature and they are so adorable.

Beckyymayy · Aug 14, 2014

Hey Matt, welcome to the forum.
I'm from Australia and a first time parrot owner. The people on here have so much advice and are a great help.

Matt_95 · Aug 14, 2014

Thanks guys! I think I will like it here

I got pointed towards a Quaker Facebook group that has a list of Quaker parrot breeders and there's a few within a few hours of me actually. I won't be able to get one until November or December by the looks of it. I also found a breeder with lutino Quakers, they're beautiful. A bit out of my price range though haha.

Tab, I just had a look and liked your Facebook page. I'd love to be able to free fly my parrot but I don't think it would be best for my situation.
I'm hoping I can train him or her to wear a harness though so I can take them outdoors with me though.

tab_xo · Aug 14, 2014

Matt_95 said:
Tab, I just had a look and liked your Facebook page. I'd love to be able to free fly my parrot but I don't think it would be best for my situation.
I'm hoping I can train him or her to wear a harness though so I can take them outdoors with me though.

Aw thank you!!

Fargo isn't free flighted

He always has a harness on when he is outside.. I am way too scared to let him free fly.. He would probably never fly away, but i am worried anyway haha

Harness training is easy, just start slow and give lots of treats!

Are you looking at getting a male or female quaker?

Any names picked out ?

Matt_95 · Aug 14, 2014

I didn't even notice the harness, whoops.

I'd prefer a male however I don't really mind what sex I get if it comes down to it. From what I have read, it doesn't really make a difference what sex a Quaker is. If I do get a boy, I will probably call him Calvin.

Amy07 · Aug 14, 2014

hey if you are worried about the free flight here is a pic of a cheap and easy flight cage that you can build in a day. I probably wouldn't use it as a permeant cage but with a few toys and perchs it could be used in any backyard for any bird to stretch its wings. I think I would put a roof on it and proper avery wire. Just an Idea. By the way it is all made out of PVC Pipe

RavensGryf · Aug 14, 2014

Since you guys don't mind sharing where you're from, why not go under your personal settings and put in your location so it shows at the top right side of your posts

Matt_95 · Aug 18, 2014

Amy07 said:
hey if you are worried about the free flight here is a pic of a cheap and easy flight cage that you can build in a day. I probably wouldn't use it as a permeant cage but with a few toys and perchs it could be used in any backyard for any bird to stretch its wings. I think I would put a roof on it and proper avery wire. Just an Idea. By the way it is all made out of PVC Pipe

Thanks for the suggestion, that looks great, I'll have to see if we have any room to store something like that.

RavensGryf said:
Since you guys don't mind sharing where you're from, why not go under your personal settings and put in your location so it shows at the top right side of your posts

Thanks, I've done that now

I got a cage on Saturday, it's 77x46x160cm and it's made by Bon Avi.
I've also found a breeder with a boy quaker, he's said he will hold onto him for me for 6 weeks after my holiday which is fantastic, I'm going to meet him on Saturday. I might take over a toy or something to make the transition to my house easier.

MrsKay · Aug 18, 2014

Hello Matt, that is a beautiful bird

ilovebirds · Aug 19, 2014

Congratulations! They are a beautiful bird. I have a blue 6 year old quaker. I must stress that you should socialise your bird with other family members and friends otherwise your bird will become too attached to you. I have made this mistake and now I am the only person who can handle him. He tries to bite everyone else or bite me to make me move away from them. Do this and you will be very happy with your purchase.

Matt_95 · Aug 19, 2014

Thank you Mrs. Kay

Thanks for the advise ilovebirds. I do plan on socializing him well and I would like to have him out with me in public fairly often as well.
I hope he likes to do things such as go hiking with me.

First time parrot owner from Australia

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(update) Contest - Guess what species?

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