New bird daddy

[flyingron]

We had some friends who had a quaker that they sort of regretted buying. Their lifestyle and interests just didn't overlap with the needs of the bird. Having other parrot owning friends and had interacted with their birds we often played with Bacca when we went over. I think we were pretty much all the socialization she got. The more we learn about quakers, the more we've found she's probably been neglected in a couple of ways (seed diet, etc...). Mommy's got a vet appointment for later next week.

Anyhow, after a few years of half-hearted offering to give us the bird, we finally got her (we're just arbitrarily assigning a sex) New Years Day. She really doesn't have any social problems though she has a feather plucking problem. Anyhow, we've been learning about quakers ever since. I think we're fairly fortunate. She doesn't bite, nor squawk excessively, she'll step up on your finger with a simple "step up" command and loves to play.

We live in Virginia but spend time in NC (we'll retire there in a couple of years). Bacca made the 6 hour car ride in her travel cage just fine (I guess she's not used to this house any more than our other one). Our next experiment is that she's going to fly back to Virginia (we have a small airplane).

-Ron

 

[Wvbirdlover]

Congrats on your new addition. Quakers are highly social birds & do like a lot of interaction. I rotate and change our little Kiwi's toys too because he seems to get bored with things. So how is Becca's eating now that she's with you? Does she talk? We absolutely Love the breed.

 

[flyingron]

She's doing well...she loves apples (especially if you hold it for her) and we're off to the pet store to get some pellets.

She makes some vocalizations (we're pretty sure she says step up when she wants you to pick her up) and she'll imitate other sounds. The former owners (who had a younger child whose now older) had a bed time story book they'd read her and when you read that out loud to her, she reads along with you (especially the good nights).

Margy (my wife) took her up to the shower a few minutes ago and I've not heard any screaming (either from the bird or the woman) so I guess they're having a good time up there.

 

[Terry57]

Welcome to the forum!
I am so glad you finally were able to convince them to let you add Bacca to your family.
LOL @ the no screaming from the bathroom! Definitely a good sign
Please share some pictures of her when you get a chance, we love pictures around here.

 

[Wvbirdlover]

Lol, that's So funny about the story book. Do you have a shower perch? I haven't gotten one yet. I know he would take a shower with me. (he prefers me over everyone else in our house, and I know it's because I'm constantly interacting with him. )Ours chatters up a storm. He also likes to try and pick out his pellets and not eat them. I've tried soaking them in juice, and my most recent trick ( which seems to be working) is incorporating them in birdie bread muffins. He gets a muffin ( mini, of course) in the afternoons w/ apple, veggies, & pellets snuck in it. So far it seems to be working. I cannot get mine to eat any of that hot and hearty cooked bird food. He likes people food better, so before my husband goes to town with the seasonings, we take some out for him.

 

[flyingron]

Oh, and she laughs. If we're doing something and laugh, she joins in.