The Quaker Parrot is a small, friendly bird that is native to the South American countries of Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. They are also known to inhabit Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. They were introduced into other parts of South America and other countries in North America, like California and Florida, in the 1950s, where they have become more popular among pet owners. Today you can find a quaker parrot for sale from multiple online dealers. They go by other common names, such as the Monk Parakeet and the Friar Bird.

Description

Quaker parrots are about 15 inches long. They have a small, squarish-shaped body with a short neck; the tail is long and usually brightly colored. Their wings are rounded and have ten primaries. Males are slightly larger than females. Their feathers range in color from bright red and yellow to green, blue, purple, and orange.

Although their wings look small, they can glide for extended periods due to the large surface area of their wings. They prefer to live in rainforests near rivers and streams along with various other birds, such as woodpeckers, toucans, jacamars, and tanagers. Their diet consists mainly of fruits, nuts, seeds, and berries. They are not picky eaters but will often reject foods that are unfamiliar to them. They are known to frequent feeders of other birds, stealing their food and driving them away. They even attack red-headed woodpeckers, a much bigger bird.

Habitat

The Quaker Parrot inhabits subtropical and tropical rainforests near rivers and streams. They are usually ground feeders, only going up to the trees to search for food. They are known to frequent feeders of other birds, stealing their food and driving them away. They even attack red-headed woodpeckers, a much bigger bird.

Reproduction

Quaker parrots can be quite vocal; their voices resemble squeaky toys or those of young children, so they are often referred to as “talking toys” by those who know nothing about them. They are very social birds and can be kept in pairs or singly. They eat about three times their body weight daily, so feeding them at least this much is important.

Quaker parrots generally breed from March to May. A pair will remain monogamous for life but not build a nest; instead, they lay their eggs inside existing cavities like hollow tree trunks and holes in roofs. It takes an average of 24 days before the eggs hatch. The parents take turns incubating the eggs while the other goes out to look for food. They usually fledge at around 75 days old and are independent within a few months.

Typical Lifespan

Quaker Parrots usually live to be between 10-15 years old. Some have even lived longer than 20 years.

Typical size

Their wingspan is about three ft., and they weigh around 2-4 pounds.

The Personality of the bird

The Quaker Parrot makes a good companion because it is easy to take care of and friendly towards humans. However, sometimes it can become aggressive when too many people are nearby. They love to talk and mimic human speech, which is why they are often called talking birds or talking toys. They are also very good at imitating sounds, such as woodpecker noises, so they have been nicknamed the Monk Parakeet.

The Quaker Parrots are affectionate and playful birds, but they will not tolerate inappropriate behavior like teasing them or playing in their territory. They are hard to tame because they do not like to be caged and never get used to being held by humans. You can read more about the best birds for beginners here.

Food/care

Quaker Parrots can eat about three times their body weight daily. Proper diet is important for us to continue keeping them as pets or companions because when they go on a diet, it can lead to digestive problems that can be fatal if not treated in time. They are known to be picky eaters and are not fond of eating new things. Their diet consists mainly of fruits, nuts, seeds, and berries. They do not seem to like any type of fish, so they are not recommended for aquarium keepers.

As with many parrots, this species has a high demand for vitamin A, which is why they make good pets if they can be given an adequate diet and other supplements. They should have plenty of toys and the right type of food to avoid illness or malnutrition. If they are kept as pets, they can live up to 20 years and are one of the most long-lived parrots.

Quaker parrots require plenty of space in their aviary and can also be trianed to do tricks and are well behaved.