Post by Smiley on Mar 7, 2008 5:14:21 GMT -5
With permission smileysbirds.proboards26.com/index.cgi
Quaker Parrots
(Myiopsitta monachus)
Taxonomic Position: Aves: Psittaciformes: Psittacidae
Common names: Monk parakeet, Quaker parrot, Quaker conure, Gray-breasted parakeet, Gray-headed parakeet
Four subspecies of Quakers are recognized:
Myiopsitta monachus monachus: Extreme southeast Brazil, Northeast Argentina, and Uruguay
Myiopsitta m. calita: Southern and Western Argentina
Myiopsitta m. cotorra: Southeast Bolivia, Southwest Brazil to Paraguay, and Northern Argentina
Myiopsitta m. luchsi: This subspecies does not have breast feather edging, as the other subspecies do. They are found only in Cochabamba province, Bolivia.
There are laws regarding Quaker ownership:
WHY- Feral Flocks
Between the late 1960s and early 1970s, over 64,000 monk parakeets were imported into North America, and their establishment was the result of intentional or unintentional releases of captive individuals. They have established themselves in and around cities throughout the world. In the United States, flocks have been reported in Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Southeast Texas, and Virginia. In Europe they are found in Belgium, Spain and Italy.
Several states banning the ownership and sale of Quakers. California, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Hawaii, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Wyoming.
The only State I know of, which cannot to be kept in Australia, is WA.
Some good reading.
www.quakerville.com/WildQ/index.asp
Basic Facts:
The average size is 11 to 12 inches in length (about 30cm), and weight is 90 – 120 grams. They’re comparative to a cockatiel but a bit stockier. Male and female are visually very similar so DNA or surgical sexing is required. The natural colour is green. Quakers can live to be 25 to 30 years of age and perhaps even longer. They are very hardy birds.
Personality/pet quality
Quakers are intelligent, comical and engaging birds. Whilst eager to please they may also try to dominate. They have a wonderful zest for life. Quakers seem to be unaware of their size and will take on bigger birds, cats and dogs. For this reason please supervise as the Quaker may come off second best. They can be real cuddlers and love kisses. Most Quakers are very loud, in fact their “talking (and noise making) capacity is legend”. They do make great watchdogs. For they will serenely let you know when some thing is about. As far as talking ability, Quakers have an amazing capacity to imitate both sounds and human speech. They have been in Bird Talks top ten list of the best talking birds. Their speech may not have the clarity that African Greys have, but it is definitely good enough to be clearly heard and understood. Quakers can start talking at 6 months or so, although many start even earlier than that. For pet quality a handfed, socialised baby is the best way to get a really good pet Quaker.
Cage and Diet:
The minimum dimensions for the Quaker cage is 18"w x 18"d. bar spacing should be less then 2.5cm. The largest cage you can find that would be suitable for a cockatiel would be a great choice for a Quaker.
Quakers need toys. They are highly intelligent little individuals and for their psychological welfare need to be able to forage, problem solve and burn off excess energy. From an early age Quakers need to be taught to play by themselves. If this isn’t done they will demand human interaction and a vicious cycle can begin with the bird as the ultimate loser. “Most birds enjoy toys, but with Quakers this seems to be especially true. Quakers are intelligent and curious birds, and if toys are not provided for entertainment, a Quaker may find less than desirable ways to relieve boredom such as screaming or feather plucking. Toys made for cockatiels and small conures would also be suitable for a Quaker. Keep two to three toys in the cage at a time. Rotating the toys on a regular basis with others you have on hand will keep your Quaker happy and entertained.
I believe it is also prudent to provide healthy, fresh foods such as veggies, sprouted seed, and fruits on a regular basis, and since my birds truly relish the fresh foods; it would be impossible for me to deny them their fresh foods. Fresh water should be provided on a daily basis.
They feed on seeds small parrot, fruits, vegetables, berries, nuts, leaf buds, blossoms, thistles, well-cooked chicken and eggs, insects and their larvae.
Health Issues:
Quakes can be prone to Fatty Liver Disease. For this reason watch that your Quaker doesn’t become overweight and is getting plenty of exercise and fresh fruit and veg. “Feather plucking is another problem that is sometimes seen in Quakers. There can be both physical and behavioural causes for this disorder, so an examination by an avian vet is strongly recommended. In a few rare cases, self-mutilate, chewing into their skin instead of just chewing on or pulling their feathers has known Quakers. This is often referred to as Quaker Mutilation Syndrome or QMS. Obviously, this is much more serious, and the bird must be cared for by a vet specializing in avian medicine.
Mutations:
Whilst the natural colour of the Quaker parrot is green there are several mutations. The blue mutation is also readily available and other mutations include lutino, pied, albino, Pallid - Blue, Dark-Eyed Yellow, and Fallow, cinnamon and cinnamon-blue. These aren’t very common though and have big price tags.
Breeding:
Quakers like to live in large colonies. And can breed in colonies are well.
And the only species that does not nest in existing cavities, in the wild.
Quakers are the only parrot known to build communal nests from sticks and other materials. Their nest can consists of many brooding rooms with short tunnels leading into them. They use their bills to construct a nest of woven sticks and spiny branches. Which can make it very hard for owners to check on eggs or young.
I am not shore if this is true. But I was told once off a breeder, that it was to stop monkeys from taking their young or eggs. A cockatiel size box with a mesh platform will in most circumstance satisfy the nest building instincts. Or you can use a wire basket type nest boxes. I would use a large wooden tray, like a draw and build a wire frame, three sides over this. Pliable SAFE twigs etc. for nest building will be much appreciated by breeding Quakers, only with SAFE fresh leaves.
They are prolific and easy breeders once they get their box sorted out. Quakers are sexually mature at 1-2 years of age, although most will not breed until 2-3 years old. The average clutch size is four to eight eggs, and quite often a second clutch will appear when the first babies are only about 4 weeks old.
The incubation time is 23-26 days, and babies fledge at six to eight weeks of age. Handfed babies wean at eight to ten weeks of age but this is variable
Recommended Reading:
www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww12eiv.htm#iv
www.quakerville.com/
Guide to the Quaker Parrot, Mattie Sue Athan, 1997 (recommended for anyone considering a Quaker as a pet)
Quaker Parrots
(Myiopsitta monachus)
Taxonomic Position: Aves: Psittaciformes: Psittacidae
Common names: Monk parakeet, Quaker parrot, Quaker conure, Gray-breasted parakeet, Gray-headed parakeet
Four subspecies of Quakers are recognized:
Myiopsitta monachus monachus: Extreme southeast Brazil, Northeast Argentina, and Uruguay
Myiopsitta m. calita: Southern and Western Argentina
Myiopsitta m. cotorra: Southeast Bolivia, Southwest Brazil to Paraguay, and Northern Argentina
Myiopsitta m. luchsi: This subspecies does not have breast feather edging, as the other subspecies do. They are found only in Cochabamba province, Bolivia.
There are laws regarding Quaker ownership:
WHY- Feral Flocks
Between the late 1960s and early 1970s, over 64,000 monk parakeets were imported into North America, and their establishment was the result of intentional or unintentional releases of captive individuals. They have established themselves in and around cities throughout the world. In the United States, flocks have been reported in Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Southeast Texas, and Virginia. In Europe they are found in Belgium, Spain and Italy.
Several states banning the ownership and sale of Quakers. California, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Hawaii, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Wyoming.
The only State I know of, which cannot to be kept in Australia, is WA.
Some good reading.
www.quakerville.com/WildQ/index.asp
Basic Facts:
The average size is 11 to 12 inches in length (about 30cm), and weight is 90 – 120 grams. They’re comparative to a cockatiel but a bit stockier. Male and female are visually very similar so DNA or surgical sexing is required. The natural colour is green. Quakers can live to be 25 to 30 years of age and perhaps even longer. They are very hardy birds.
Personality/pet quality
Quakers are intelligent, comical and engaging birds. Whilst eager to please they may also try to dominate. They have a wonderful zest for life. Quakers seem to be unaware of their size and will take on bigger birds, cats and dogs. For this reason please supervise as the Quaker may come off second best. They can be real cuddlers and love kisses. Most Quakers are very loud, in fact their “talking (and noise making) capacity is legend”. They do make great watchdogs. For they will serenely let you know when some thing is about. As far as talking ability, Quakers have an amazing capacity to imitate both sounds and human speech. They have been in Bird Talks top ten list of the best talking birds. Their speech may not have the clarity that African Greys have, but it is definitely good enough to be clearly heard and understood. Quakers can start talking at 6 months or so, although many start even earlier than that. For pet quality a handfed, socialised baby is the best way to get a really good pet Quaker.
Cage and Diet:
The minimum dimensions for the Quaker cage is 18"w x 18"d. bar spacing should be less then 2.5cm. The largest cage you can find that would be suitable for a cockatiel would be a great choice for a Quaker.
Quakers need toys. They are highly intelligent little individuals and for their psychological welfare need to be able to forage, problem solve and burn off excess energy. From an early age Quakers need to be taught to play by themselves. If this isn’t done they will demand human interaction and a vicious cycle can begin with the bird as the ultimate loser. “Most birds enjoy toys, but with Quakers this seems to be especially true. Quakers are intelligent and curious birds, and if toys are not provided for entertainment, a Quaker may find less than desirable ways to relieve boredom such as screaming or feather plucking. Toys made for cockatiels and small conures would also be suitable for a Quaker. Keep two to three toys in the cage at a time. Rotating the toys on a regular basis with others you have on hand will keep your Quaker happy and entertained.
I believe it is also prudent to provide healthy, fresh foods such as veggies, sprouted seed, and fruits on a regular basis, and since my birds truly relish the fresh foods; it would be impossible for me to deny them their fresh foods. Fresh water should be provided on a daily basis.
They feed on seeds small parrot, fruits, vegetables, berries, nuts, leaf buds, blossoms, thistles, well-cooked chicken and eggs, insects and their larvae.
Health Issues:
Quakes can be prone to Fatty Liver Disease. For this reason watch that your Quaker doesn’t become overweight and is getting plenty of exercise and fresh fruit and veg. “Feather plucking is another problem that is sometimes seen in Quakers. There can be both physical and behavioural causes for this disorder, so an examination by an avian vet is strongly recommended. In a few rare cases, self-mutilate, chewing into their skin instead of just chewing on or pulling their feathers has known Quakers. This is often referred to as Quaker Mutilation Syndrome or QMS. Obviously, this is much more serious, and the bird must be cared for by a vet specializing in avian medicine.
Mutations:
Whilst the natural colour of the Quaker parrot is green there are several mutations. The blue mutation is also readily available and other mutations include lutino, pied, albino, Pallid - Blue, Dark-Eyed Yellow, and Fallow, cinnamon and cinnamon-blue. These aren’t very common though and have big price tags.
Breeding:
Quakers like to live in large colonies. And can breed in colonies are well.
And the only species that does not nest in existing cavities, in the wild.
Quakers are the only parrot known to build communal nests from sticks and other materials. Their nest can consists of many brooding rooms with short tunnels leading into them. They use their bills to construct a nest of woven sticks and spiny branches. Which can make it very hard for owners to check on eggs or young.
I am not shore if this is true. But I was told once off a breeder, that it was to stop monkeys from taking their young or eggs. A cockatiel size box with a mesh platform will in most circumstance satisfy the nest building instincts. Or you can use a wire basket type nest boxes. I would use a large wooden tray, like a draw and build a wire frame, three sides over this. Pliable SAFE twigs etc. for nest building will be much appreciated by breeding Quakers, only with SAFE fresh leaves.
They are prolific and easy breeders once they get their box sorted out. Quakers are sexually mature at 1-2 years of age, although most will not breed until 2-3 years old. The average clutch size is four to eight eggs, and quite often a second clutch will appear when the first babies are only about 4 weeks old.
The incubation time is 23-26 days, and babies fledge at six to eight weeks of age. Handfed babies wean at eight to ten weeks of age but this is variable
Recommended Reading:
www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww12eiv.htm#iv
www.quakerville.com/
Guide to the Quaker Parrot, Mattie Sue Athan, 1997 (recommended for anyone considering a Quaker as a pet)