He is definitely still a little timid especially when I have to change his food bowl but he is definitely coming around. I just ordered him a lot of new, more natural perches and some things to get him used to change. I am going leave him with one of his hammocks since he seemed to love them so much and they seem to be good for his sleep. I know Quakers are natural nesters so it only seems right. I would one day down the road maybe like to try allowing him to create a natural nest but part of me thinks that may be a bad idea as I know it can lead to them being territorial but thatll be far down the road before I even consider it any further.
Some birds, like GCCs and quakers, can tend towards being territorial about their cages, and you may find that yours does anyway with or without nesting material being provided. You might like to read up on some of the posts by a previous member,
@Laurasea, and her adventures with quakers. She had three in her flock, along with a GCC and some budgies, she considered quakers to be her "spirit animal"!
You mentioned Pippen has a hammock, and I'm just wondering what it's made of. If it's a fabric one, you may want to think about replacing it with one made of seagrass instead. Those fabric hammocks and huts are still widely used, but they can also trigger hormonal/nesting type responses, and they are also unfortunately responsible for many injuries to pet parrots. Some folks report being able to use them with no issues, but I have read too many stories about birds getting legs and necks caught in loose threads, as well as the terrible issues around things like crop impaction if they chew on and ingest the synthetic fibres and cannot pass them. My lorikeet has a seagrass hidey hut like this one that he retreats to if he feels the need for a bit of privacy ...
... and I also have the "flying trapeze" type of mat. This might be more Pippen's style for use as a hammock...
Seagrass hidey huts are also great because of their more open-ended and open weave design, it doesn't so easily simulate a dark nesting hole. Individual results will vary of course but my previous lorikeet, a little hen called Lilly, was a *notorious* chronic egg layer and her seagrass hut did not trigger any nesty-type response in her at all. No parrot "toy" or accessory can ever be said to be 100% safe, but personally I think those fabric things are just not worth the risk.
I'm glad you got a great pic but I'm so sorry, I had to close the September contest in order to get the poll up on time. I'd still love to see it though, and who knows, it might just make a great entry for October!
