New 2 Year Old Blue Quaker

We just got a 2 year old blue Quaker parrot, named Rio (been home 2 days). We are his 3rd home. He seems to be adjusting and I am really happy with his progress over the last couple of days. He will 'step up' for us and likes the new jungle gym I have placed on top of his cage, for his 'outside' time. The former owners had him on an all seed diet, so we are switching him to a pellet diet now. He is not talking but we were told he could say a few words. I hope as he settles in that the talking will come. We are a homeschool family and he is with us all day.

He will not venture far from his cage, other then to take a quick flight through the living room and kitchen. Is that normal? I would eventually like to move his gym to the living room where he can be with us in the evening (his cage is in the dinning room, where we spend most of our mornings). Right now I can't get more then a few feet from his cage.

He has never bitten anyone hard but bites at us when he doesn't want to come out of his cage or go back in. I have been ignoring it and coaxing him to step up anyway.

Is there anything I need to be working on with him? I have been trying to work in short sessions and then give him a break (just going in and out of the cage and talking to him).

I am excited to read and learn about our new family member on the forums. Thanks for your input!

Michelle in OK

Congrats! I wanted to say I think Blue Quakers are so gorgeous. They're illegal where I live, but I've seen a few green ones nonetheless, but I'd love to see a blue in person.

He's so new, he will not "be himself" for at least a little while. For now just watch him as he observes his new surroundings. Talk to him but don't impose yourself upon him. IMHO, you don't need to start training sessions right off the bat. There's time, let him get comfortable first. I'm fairly sure you'll start seeing him come out of his cage and out of his shell soon.

Hello and welcome, Michelle! Congrats to you and your pretty new quaker. I can't add anything to the excellent advice you've been given by RavensGryf and cnyguy. Best of luck!

You should have seen Rio today. We were playing theme songs to Andy Griffith and Hawaii 5-0. He liked Andy Griffith and was kind of bobbing and turning his head. Then we put on the theme to The Adams Family and he went nuts. He was screeching and once it stopped he was trying to "sing" it. It was like that was the only thing he has recognized since he came here. So funny and of course no one had the video on their phone turned on. Just my luck. I hope he will do it again when Jim comes home. Too cute!! https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/lovemyparrot?source=feed_text

Hello, and welcome to the forum! Rio is beautiful all of the advice you've been given here is excellent. I've had my Quaker since The beginning of Oct. he was born in August. He is just now Really coming out of his shell. Quakers seem to be just generally curious about their surroundings. You will be amazed at how tame Rio will get, and I'm certain Rio will talk. He's a Quaker