Behavioral Issues with new Quaker

Hey everyone! I recently picked up a two month old Quaker parrot from our local parrot store. I have experience with parrots as I had a sun conure a few years back, but I have run into some problems and have questions.

The little guy is constantly screaming and freaking out. Even when I place a cover over the cage to try and "punish" him he will sometimes continue to freak out and when he does calm down and I remove the cover he just continues screaming.

I thought he might want attention, but when ever I go into the cage he backs away and will lightly attack my finger as an obvious "leave me alone".

Also when he is out of the cage (if I manage to pick him up) he constantly seems to be searching for it. He does listen to the "step up" command when out of the cage, but only because he knows I'll bring him back.

Lastly he does seem to be comfortable in his environment as at night and during the day when he naps/sleeps he perches on one leg and digs his head into his back.

Any help guys?

I want to love this little guy, but honestly he's just been driving me crazy. Never had these issues with my sun conure.

Thanks!

Since your Quaker just recently joined your family, I imagine that he still needs time to adjust to his new home. Each parrot adapts at a different pace to new people and surroundings-- some do so in a matter of days, while others may take weeks or even months to settle in.

A good approach with a new parrot is to spend time every day just sitting next to his cage and talking quietly to him. Read to your parrot, and sing to him too. That gives him a good chance to study you and get used to you and the sound of your voice.


You might adopt an "open door policy" too-- leave your parrot's cage door open so he can come out when he wants to. He seems to feel more secure inside the cage for now, so it's better to let him make the choice of coming out or staying in.


I recommend that you get yourself a copy of Guide to the Quaker Parrot by Mattie Sue Athan-- it's a book that should be read by anyone who lives with a QP. Another good book is Pamela Leis Higdon's The Quaker Parrot: An Owners Guide to a Happy, Healthy Pet.


Good luck to you and your Quaker!

I agree with cnyguy.

I might just add though that Quakers can be known to be cage aggressive and/territorial.

Maybe while he is settling into your daily routine, pay him visits to put a 'special' bowl of different treats in his cage. Use different things to peak his curiosity, even if he wants nothing to do with it at first. Believe me he will get more and more interested. Make your trips to his cage positive experiences, where you don't nessacarily interact directly with him. Maybe sing him a song (how much is that Yoshi in the window is our favourite), or drop and special treat into his food etc.
Get creative.

'Punishment' never worked for Yoshi. I had to learn to replace his behaviours with things that I liked. I taught him that to get my attention, calling 'hello' or 'where are you' worked instantly. I just kept calling them to him to get him to say it- I think it took about a month or two because hello is fairly easy .

With biting, I kept my hands away from him, unless he came to me gently- at which point I would immediately give him a reward. I bought a dog treat bag to carry around when I was with Yoshi for instant access to treats.

I don't know if this helps, but it worked for me.

Remember time is your best friend, and you can't rush him at all. If you rush, you make mistakes.

marcham93 said:

Hey everyone! I recently picked up a two month old Quaker parrot from our local parrot store. I have experience with parrots as I had a sun conure a few years back, but I have run into some problems and have questions.

The little guy is constantly screaming and freaking out. Even when I place a cover over the cage to try and "punish" him he will sometimes continue to freak out and when he does calm down and I remove the cover he just continues screaming.

I thought he might want attention, but when ever I go into the cage he backs away and will lightly attack my finger as an obvious "leave me alone".

Also when he is out of the cage (if I manage to pick him up) he constantly seems to be searching for it. He does listen to the "step up" command when out of the cage, but only because he knows I'll bring him back.

Lastly he does seem to be comfortable in his environment as at night and during the day when he naps/sleeps he perches on one leg and digs his head into his back.

Any help guys?

I want to love this little guy, but honestly he's just been driving me crazy. Never had these issues with my sun conure.

Thanks!

Click to expand...

Your quaker is 2 months old... He's still a baby! You need to teach him to step up... This 'command' is not automatically instilled in the bird's brain.

He's afraid of his new environment, and punishment won't work... in fact.. it'll make it worse.

How long have you had him? Just worked that out... You've had him for just over 3 weeks... Please be patient with him...

Following up...

Guess he was just adapting because now the little baby is adorable.

Super playful and loves sleeping on my shoulder.

Thanks for the advice everyone, but I guess he just needed time.

I got Puck when he was about to turn 4, and it took him a while to adjust. He was loud and aggressive a lot at first, but now he's calmed down a lot!

marcham93 said:

Following up...

Guess he was just adapting because now the little baby is adorable.

Super playful and loves sleeping on my shoulder.

Thanks for the advice everyone, but I guess he just needed time.

Click to expand...

I'm so happy to hear this... The only time Shrek got aggressive was, when my daughter touched me, while he was on my shoulder... He bit my cheek - telling me to fly away!