The Ultimate Quaker Blue Parrot Guide

If you live in an area where owning a parrot is allowed, you might want to have a blue quaker parrot as your pet. Aside from it being easy to maintain, it will also entertain you (they are little chatterboxes).

The blue quaker parrot, also known as the Monk Parakeet, is a type of parrot that is known for its prominent personality and distinctive traits. Blue quaker parrots are now a common subspecies of the quaker parrot because they have been carefully bred in captivity in the US and other countries. 

There are three subspecies of blue quaker parrots. These are the blue monk parakeets, the blue monk parrots, and the blue monk quakers. They resemble the original quaker parrots in all but color. They are friendly birds that thrive on interaction with other creatures. This article will teach you more about the origin and valuable information about a blue quaker parrot. 

What Are Quaker Blue Parrots?

Quaker blue parrots are birds from Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, in South America. They can be found in both agricultural and urban settings. 

This type of parrot can also thrive in various climates, which is why they’ve been establishing colonies in New York State. 

Keeping quakers are against the law in some areas because they may damage crops, becoming a pest (invasive species).

These bird species are about 10 inches long. Its back and wings are blue, and its breast is grey. Its eyes are black, and its beak has a white ring around its pupil. 

Since female and male birds both appear the same to the naked eye, DNA testing can be used to determine one’s sexuality.

Common Names

Knowing the different names of blue quaker parrots is essential to understand them and avoiding confusion. The Blue Quaker Parrot is also known as the following:

• Blue Quaker Parakeet
• Grey-Breasted Parakeet
• Blue Monk Parakeet
• Montevideo Parakeet
• Blue Monk Parrot
• Blue Parakeet

Behavior 

Similar in temperament to Caiques with their vibrant personalities, Quakers are small and still display the bold behavior of bigger birds. Because of this, they are known for making great pets. People often find these birds funny because they are loud and have prominent personalities. Their tail feathers are long for a quaker.

In the wild, these parrots are known to talk a lot. They are also known to imitate loud noises. 

The quaker can learn to speak at the age of six months. Blue Quakers are known to imitate human speech and do an excellent job at it too. 

Personality 

Blue quakers are known to love playing around their enclosure. Although they’re not known for destroying chew toys, they tend to get bored quickly. As with other intelligent birds, they need new toys to keep them entertained. These birds are also good at constructing nests out of household debris.

Quakers tend to get along well with humans and are not afraid of other animals. They also don’t mind being on the smaller side, which makes them an ideal choice for families with young kids. 

Quakers are energetic and inquisitive. They will get into trouble if left to their own devices, so ensure you keep enough toys and give them enough attention to keep them satiated.

Vocalization And Talking Skills

The quaker parrot is regarded as one of the top five best-talking parrot species. These little critters are so skilled at duplicating other noises that they quickly pick up on the inflections and rhythms of human speech. 

The talkative and impressive nature of quaker parrots is due to their ability to sing and talk. As a result, many of them have developed strong vocabularies. 

Quakers start communicating verbally at around six months. They also make good use of their abilities and show off their vocalizations.

These birds are known for their piercing and loud calls while eating. They also tend to gather in large groups, which can be incredibly annoying. Due to their loud squeaking, some quaker pets are not suited as pets. But these animals can still convincingly imitate human speech.

Therefore, quaker parrots can only learn to mimic human speech if they are regularly exposed to it. A quaker owner can encourage his bird’s language development by spending more time with it.

Quaker parrots’ vocabularies also differ significantly between individuals for various reasons. Aside from being able to converse, these animals also use accurate terms. For instance, a typical green quaker might say, “Can we go to bed?” whenever he wants to stop perching. Blue quaker parrots, on the other hand, quite typically have a smaller vocabulary.

Quaker Care

Housing

In the United States, Quakers prefer to live in mild temperatures ranging from 60 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Wild flocks that live in areas where winters can get harsh are proof that they can survive.

A Quaker birdcage should be at least 24 square inches wide. It should also have a bar spacing of less than 5/8 to 3/4 inches. 

The Quakers are known to be very protective of their cages. If a bird they don’t want gets into their cage, it could hurt or even kill them. Therefore, keeping any other birds away from them is essential until they can bond with their new cage mate.

Nutrition And Diet

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and other grains is required for quakers to stay healthy. They’re also big fans of peppers.

Also, pellets are great for providing optimal nutrition during the start-up phase. A pellet-based diet rich in vegetables and fruits is ideal for them. However, they should refrain from eating the same food every day.  

If birds only eat pellets and seeds, they are more likely to get fatty liver disease. It can lead to them gaining too much weight. To prevent this, add more vegetables to your quaker’s diet.

I strongly recommend you discuss your bird’s diet with a qualified veterinarian before you make any changes to its diet.

Other Health Issues

Like humans, quaker blue parrots can also suffer from various mental and physical illnesses. Quakers need to take good care of themselves and seek medical attention if they have any signs of disease, such as the following:

• Abnormal beak growth
• Aggression
• Trembling
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Dehydration
• Diarrhea
• Discharge from eyes and nose
• Bruising on beak or toenail
• Dry skin
• Excessive feather picking
• Excessive urination
• Bulky stool
• Lack of appetite
• Lethargy
• Regurgitation
• Fluffed or ruffled feathers
• Inflamed or red eyes
• Itchiness

These symptoms may indicate a more serious problem, such as the contagious diseases commonly found in quaker parrots, such as Giardia, Psittacosis, and Polyomavirus. It is important to prevent these illnesses from happening, so owners should keep their birds healthy and happy.

I can’t stress this enough: take your bird for a regular checkup with a veterinarian qualified to work with parrots. It’s the best way to ensure the best health.

Baby Care

​​While it’s normal to raise a baby quaker parakeet, it’s also essential to take the time to ensure that the bird’s development is healthy. One of the most critical factors you can consider when raising a quaker is having a large brooder box and proper conditions (including diet).

Quaker parrot owners usually nourish their young birds using a commercial meal mix. Besides regular hygiene, regular checkups and quality time with their owner are also crucial for newborn birds. This extra care helps them develop into friendly members of the family.

Entertainment 

Even though they are likelier to approach a new toy, quakers tend to lose interest in it more quickly than other birds. You could say the breed has attention deficit disorder, but I don’t think there’s any literature noting such findings. 

Frequently switching the bird’s toys out is essential to avoid the bird becoming bored with them. Like many intelligent parrots, they get bored easily and require near-constant stimulation when awake.

People commonly tell stories about their pets who make nests from various household materials such as toothpicks, paper, pencils, and paper. In these tales, the pets utilize the nests to raise their young. Even though they do not have partners, some Quakers enjoy weaving items between their pens to build things. 

Ownership Regulations

The quaker parrot is considered invasive in several places in the United States because it is destructive and likes to make its home in power lines. In some regions, the sale of these birds and their possession are against the law. These are the states where you cannot legally own a quaker parrot:

• California
• Connecticut
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• New Jersey (by permit only)
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Wyoming

There are a few mild exceptions. In New York, they can be legally owned after they have been banned and registered. In Virginia, they can be pets after a seller’s or breeder’s registration is obtained.

Do you live in the USA? If you need more information or want to know more, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the USDA Fish and Wildlife Office in your area.

How To Teach Quaker Parrots To Talk?

A great place to start with your bird is pronunciation. For instance, if a parrot could hear a word clearly, it would be able to mimic the sounds properly. So, before you start, ensure you make a conscious effort to speak clearly and deliberately. But what does speaking deliberately mean?

When I say you should speak deliberately around your parrot, I mean that you don’t want to confuse it with unnecessary words. For instance, don’t try to have a human conversation with the bird. Instead, use single words or phrases that the bird might make an association with in order to understand. 

For example, if you are feeding your parrot, decide on a word or phrase that symbolizes their feeding time for lunch. You could say ‘Lunchtime’ as you feed them lunch, but make sure to distinguish it from other words or sentences. 

Now, repeat that process daily. Similarly, you can speak deliberately and directly regarding other things like playtime, nighttime, or greetings on coming and going from home. 

Speaking clearly and deliberately and doing so regularly, you’ll see how fast your parrot starts picking up the words and phrases it associates with specific actions.

Apart from deliberate vocal training, try incorporating some fun activities into the parrot training. It will help the bird relax and avoid getting anxious if you repeatedly insist on saying the same thing. One of the most critical steps you should take is establishing a reward system for your pet. 

Although they may not have the same accomplishments as humans, they can still enjoy receiving praise. My parrots used to have a little dance when I gave praise (it was very cute coming from our feathered friends).

Are Quaker Parrots Cuddly?

Speaking of cute, most hand-fed quakers are cuddly and gentle, and they can make great pets for families with kids. Just remember that it’s going to be your responsibility for many years.

Quaker parrots are known for their devotion to their owners. These animals will make you a lifelong friend if you can bond with them.

What Are Behavioral Issues Of Quaker Parrots?

Unfortunately, the quaker parrot often does things like:

• The quaker parrots are known for their ability to destroy various objects quickly, and those that aren’t given the proper socialization can develop into vicious biters.
• They keep themselves occupied by imitating the sounds of humans, such as whistling and talking. This mimicking can be a problem if you swear or say something about someone you don’t like, and the bird repeats it at the wrong time.
• The birds’ noise level will increase if more of them are in the area. According to experts, talkative parrots often extend their talk to one another.

Learning how to model loud noises, such as yelling and loud noises caused by a person’s coughing, helps the Quakers understand how to deal with unwanted sounds. Unfortunately, some owners tend to reward inappropriate sounds by shouting.

Shouting at your bird when it makes a loud noise you don’t like won’t stop the behavior. Often it will cause the parrot to think it’s time to start screaming together.

What To Do When Your Quaker Screams At You

Ignore the bird, give no attention, and walk away. When the bird becomes quiet, give it praise and a treat. Repeat this behavior as needed. Birds, especially parrots, are social animals. They don’t like being ignored any more than you or I. 

If you yell at them, they get the wrong idea, so follow this method to stop the screaming. In my experience, it’s the best method.

How Much Do Blue Quakers Cost?

A quaker parrot can be purchased from a pet store for usually between $300 to $1,000. Before you buy a bird, make sure that the breeders are honest and that it is healthy. Also, there are other factors in pricing the quaker parrots such as color variants. 

Again, before you bring a quaker parrot home, it’s important to confirm that it’s legal in your area.

Also, before purchasing one, it’s essential to consider the various accessories you’ll need to make them comfortable and happy. One of the most vital factors is the number of toys they require. Similarly, they do need a decent-sized cage and plenty of daily attention.

Conclusion

The blue quaker makes for an excellent pet if you reside in a state where keeping them is permitted. However, remember that they are more destructive and louder than other little parrots, so you should seriously consider the requirements, as with any parrot.

Neglected quaker blue parrots can have behavioral problems such as screaming and violence later in life. 

Also, it would be best if you were mindful that the inclination they have to destroy toys could cause an increase in expenses. If you can circumvent the problems that may arise, quaker parrots can make wonderful companion animals or pets.

Interested in these articles:

• Are Quaker Parrots Hard To Train? (Best At-Home Tips And Guide To Train You Quaker Parrots)
• Why Quaker Parrots Are Illegal
• A Guide To Quaker Parrot Training