The Parakeet's Nest

The Quaker Parrot sometimes known as the "The Monk Parakeet".....is a very smart lil' birdie!!!  Through my "Bird" Friend, as I call her, she was able to find me a Quaker Parrot, that sorta was a rescue.  I named him, "Jaden".  I LOVE him, to death.  I say "him", only going by what actions I see and what physical differences I see.  Which is not a for sure thing.  But, it does not matter either way.......him or her.......I love him to death.  Jaden, after winning his trust......is soooooooooo loving and affectionate.  And just on my own observation, of his body language, head bobbing and his eye of study on me......SO reminded me of the African Grey.  You can just see the lil' wheels turning in there. 

 I found this article on the "Bird Talk" web site and wanted to share it with you.  So enjoy reading the article and be amazed as I was on it's content.  But, by having a Quaker........see it all VERY possible.  

 Smart And Sassy Quaker Parrots

Quaker parrot owners boast of their birds' vast intelligence.

Fonzie, a 12-year-old quaker parrot, reacts to television shows much like a person might.

She watched a broadcast of Good Morning America with the cast from Dancing with the Stars and cheered them on, saying "Turn around!" and "Good dance!" While a Richard Simmons exercise video played, Fonzie the parrot picked up her wings and danced along, asking her owner, Ellen Krueger, if she needed a drink of water after the routine ended.

< td>Photos Courtesy of Paula Cook Quaker's display an in-context vocabulary that surprises people.

Their misconceived reputation leads to surprised reactions to their sharp wit.

It's these displays of extensive and appropriate, in-context vocabulary that convince many bird owners that their quaker parrots are genuinely intelligent and capable of knowing what to say at exactly the right time. But their intelligence extends beyond just words. These parrots are notorious for being all-around clever birds, from weaving complex structures to unlocking complicated doors.

Krueger, editor of The Quaker Parakeet Society's newsletter, The Sentinel, and a freelance author of books about her quaker parrot, said Fonzie's signs of intelligence aren't rare among quaker parrots. She described another quaker-owning friend whose cockatiel passed away, leaving its mate alone in the cage.

"[Her Quaker parrot] climbed down from his cage, walked over to the other bird's cage and gave this bird a tissue," Krueger said. "They understand."

The treasurer of The Quaker Parakeet Society, Paula Cook, said her quaker parrot, Precious, taught its vocabulary to her 4-month-old blue quaker, Periwinkle. Periwinkle developed phrases that Cook had never spoken before, she said, making her a true believer in quaker birds' intelligence.

"The two of them just exchanged voicemails, I guess, while I was gone," Cook said.

This clever bird species is known as much for its talking as it is for its actions. Tom Nemerovsky, an owner and breeder of quaker parrots since 1980, said that the intelligence of the quakers must be in their nature, as he's encountered numerous signs of cognitive abilities. The proof is in the locks with chew-proof nylon webbing he has to attach to each and every cage door that houses a quaker, he said.

"They'll watch you for the first three days you put them in and out," he said. "They're watching you. They'll do the same thing."

But don't expect the quaker parrots to be predictable. Rhonda Heflin, fundraising committee member at The Quaker Parakeet Society, said her quaker parrot Chance Man definitely has a mind of his own.

"He's not a circus bird," Heflin said. "You don't make them talk. They shut their beak and stare at you when you try to say, 'They can do this!'"

Her bird, Chance Man, accompanies her nearly everywhere, chatting all the way. While the quaker parrot may not be the most beautiful-looking bird out there, Heflin said, it is a companion bird that she can't imagine living without.

Chance Man understands that at 4 p.m., it's dinner time, Heflin said. Around 7 p.m., he'll tell her, "I'm tired." At almost 8 years old, his vocabulary is at about 75 words, and he's even learned how to help Heflin make her bed, pulling the sheet up himself when he sees that the bed isn't made.

"They scare you," she said. "We've had him since he was 10 weeks old, and his brain has gone just so far. Chance Man's doing something different every few days."

Quaker parrot enthusiasts admit that those who aren't familiar with the bird species might underestimate their complex intelligence. Their small stature, muted colors and misconceived reputation as destructive "crop pests" lead to many surprised reactions at their vocabulary and wit.

Although some state governments perceive the quaker parrot to be a threat to local crops, Cook said the birds are not a hazard at all. Through The Quaker Parakeet Society, she hopes to enlighten the general public of the truth about the parrot species.

Krueger casts the bird in a similar optimistic light.

"They're not a destructive or invasive species," she said. "They're really fun birds. If you approach them the right way, they'll be friends with almost anybody."

be blessed.............

haney 

I started out when I was 8 years old, wanting a pet bird.  Well, like many kids then, that either meant a canary or parakeet (budgie).  I chose the parakeet.  Beautiful white & sky blue.  I loved it so.  It was not hand tamed, nor did I know anything about that term or anything else about a bird, for that matter.  But, that's all it took.  I had "Baby" tamed in 2 weeks.  After constantly, everyday, putting my hand inside the cage with a finger on the perch, and just sitting it there.  For about one hour.  To show Baby it (the finger) would not hurt him.   And my love for the wonderment of birds, then took root in my heart!

Learning by mostly trial & era.........reading books, for........OH!  But, listen to this..........there was NO SUCH THING AS A COMPUTER!!!!!!!!  YES, it's true, hard to believe, but very, very true.  We actually went and used library books.  ........lol......lol........it's really hard to believe that all this has transpired in my lifetime.  But, it has.  

I really just stuck with my one or two lil' parakeets........until after I was divorced.  Then........I WENT WILD!!!!!!......LOL......LOL.......LOL........No one around to complain they were making too much noise.  lol.......lol........... I'd had a few lil' zebra finches also.  But, the one bird, I had always wanted but thought I would never be able to get was an "Umbrella Cockatoo".  That's was my heart's desire.   But, so much money.  Then about $1500 or $1800 would be the price for a baby.  And the one thing I had learned is that the Parrot picks YOU, .......YOU do NOT pick the Parrot.  So, besides money, there was investing time, in getting to know the babies of a local breeder.  And letting the Cockatoo pick me.   Well, when ya have to work for a living, ya just don't have time.  And the Good Lord knew what He was doing..........I had NO IDEA, .........the bigger the bird, the bigger everything else, also.   The bigger the poop, the mess, the destruction, the food intake, the water and most importantly..........the more TIME......you need, to spend with them, becuase they NEED that time.  The bigger the bird, the more time needed of attention.  Or you will  have some SERIOUS PROBLEMS on your hands.  And it's NOT fair to treat anything or anyone that way either.  

If I may........let me rant a lil' bit.  I CANNOT stand or understand these people, that are totally ignorant of what they are fixing to buy.........spend lots of money on the poor creature........and think just because they, spent a lot of money on it,........it should do what they want.......lol.......lol......lol.........That is SOOOOOOOOO funny!!!!!!!   The Bird, doesn't care if you spent a War Pension on it!!!!!  Get Over it!!!!!!  It has a mind of it's own!!!!  And that's why they are sooooooooooo fascinating .........they use it!!!!!  Unlike some people I know!!!!!!   They just march into a pet shop and say:  "Oooooo, I want that one.  Yeah, that one's pretty.".......Oooooooooo, that makes me mad.  The Bird is NOT a flower you are picking out for a date!!!!!  And it's partly the pet store's fault too.  For NOT informing the customer of WHAT they are getting into and just concentrating on selling a "pet".   I don't know about you........but I always imagined people who actually love animals working in a pet store, one's you'd think that really care about the animals.  Not just money?????  But, not in today's world!  We all Know the ol' saying........"Money talks and B..................."!!!!  You know the rest.  That's how it is mainly today.  I do know of ONE, mind you ONE, Bird shop here in my state, in Knoxville, not that far away from me, that actually CARES about their Birds.  If you go in, to buy a bird, they talk with you, ask you questions, watch you with the birds.............and if you know nothing about birds.........they recommend a good book for the type you are wanting or the one you talked with them about and decided on.  But, YOU go HOME without a Bird!!!!  They WILL NOT sell to you!!!!!  All they ask, is what you should have done before you came...........learn about what you are fixing to purchase!!!!  Because with a parott, it will be a more than likely "lifetime" purchase!  Parotts can live for a very, very long time.   Some up to 80 years.  See..........?? 

I know I've talked about a lot of different things, but, I can talk about birds forever!!!!   So I'll hush for now, but please, if you have any questions that I can help with........I'd be MORE than glad to talk "bird" with ya!!!!  So ask!!! 

 But, Long story short.......lol.....lol.......I've hand raised everything from baby finches to a Patty Conure.  No Mccaws......they don't like me, for some reason.  Go figure.  But,.........I've NEVER met a Conure who didn't!!!!  Not even someone's pet.  They instantly, take up with me.  Go figure!!!!

Until next time..........

be blessed.........

haney 

Hey.........these lil guys are one ball of energy with feathers!!!!  These lil' guys are Parolettes.  In particular, Pacific Parolettes.  There are many different kinds, but most commonly found around here are Pacifies.  But......if NOT hand tamed they can be like lil' Chihuahuas.  They are only about 5 inches in length, but quick as lighting!  And they think, they are as big as a Macaw.  With all the fearless attitude to boot.  Yet.......if taken as a pet and raised with love, they can be the lovingness lil' parrots you've ever seen.  Although still with a "bird" attitude. 

This is a picture of the one I had.  His name was "tut-tut".  I loved him sooooooooooo much.  He wasn't hand tamed, but I got him there with a lot of time.  He was sooooooo worth it.  But, which bird isn't?!  Their personality never fails to give a star performance.  Once they are tamed, they rarely ever are testy.  They can eat all the food that parrots can, way less mess, than with a bigger bird.  Far less room necessary for housing.  Although mine had a flight cage for his main house, an outside cage for hanging outside with me, while I was busy with yard work.  But, most of the time, he was on my shoulder.  It's really funny with a bumble bee comes around to bug us and the bumble bee is almost the same size as your bird......lol.....lol.....lol.......but, "tut-tut" didn't think it very funny at all.  They are breed in all mutations.  Lutino, albino, blues, cinnamons, and pied.  The blues are my favorite.  I can't say enough for this lil' bird.  They are just simply wonderful, if you are looking for ALL the big parrot in a compact form.  And even their lil' whistle is adorable.  Not loud at all as far as birds go.  Perfect for apartment dwelling.  A couple of parakeets are nosier.  A lot of times, you will hear them called "pocket parrots".  That's because they will fit inside a pocket and they like most parrots, like getting into a snuggly, warm, pocket.  Mine would.....he'd go right in this pocket I had on an apron, I wore while working, inside or outside.  And he'd fall fast alseep, while I went on about my work.  As long as he was with "Momma",......he was fine.  Come to think of it.....he rarely was in his cage......lol.....lol..... As you can see to the right......he was a friendly bird, sitting on my niece's shoulder.  He liked getting up in her long hair and hiding.  You have to be really careful outside though.  They are sooooo lil' and light.  You'd better have those wings clipped!  I never do NOT, not have my birds wings clipped.  They are ALWAYS trimmed.  It's just good safety for you & your bird.  How long do you think one of these lil' fellows would last out in the wild, when a common "BlueJay" is 4 times their size???  NOT very long!  I can't stress enough, to have your birds wings clipped!  Unless we are talking about strictly "breeder birds".  Then they NEED their wings.  But, then they would not be outside on your shoulder either.  They are just a wonderful lil' parrot.  And make NO mistake.......they are a PARROT.

be blessed.........haney