The quaker parrot, also known as the quaker parakeet, is one of the most popular parrots due to its size and availability.
This native bird from South America is available at low costs, and her brightness is exceptional, not forgetting about her unique mimicking ability.
Additionally, the bird can set up large colonies giving a beautiful addition to the landscape. However, in some places, they are considered pests.
These birds love attention, and if you are a busy person, you may not satisfy the care needs of these flying friends.
Stick on as we get to know more about the quaker parrot and its diet needs for a healthy life.
What You Need to Know About Quaker Parrots
1. Life Span
These parrots enjoy a long life span like other parrot species, and their average span is between twenty and 30 years.
However, if you accord this flying friend quality care, the life span can be more than thirty years.
Get a plan to help you take care of the parrot in her entire life. When you neglect them, they will become aggressive and show odd behaviors.
2. Size
Quaker parrots are small, and if your mind is settled to adopt large birds, this is not the best choice.
These birds are 11 to 12 inches long with a weight of three ounces, and they take minimal space in your compound than larger birds.
Ensure their housing is firm and avian safe since these bright birds can chew and open the cage doors.
Quaker parrots have a powerful nest-building instinct and providing toys, and necessary safe materials will keep them busy as they build the nests.
3. Names
The quaker parrots have other names, so don’t be surprised when someone talks of the monk parrot, quaker parakeets, or the monk parakeets; these names refer to the quaker parrot.
The bird’s scientific name is Myiopsitta monachus, and most people associate the name with the unique quacking style when the birds are excited or begging for food.
Other people think that the name originates from the gray color on their neck that resembles an old-fashioned Quaker bib.
4. Talking Skills
If you want to adopt a talking companion, the quaker parrot is the perfect one displaying excellent talking skills.
These birds can mimic human speech word by word learning new words and sounds every day, and their clarity in speaking beats that of larger species.
You don’t have to worry about their sounds disturbing your neighbors; their mimicry is superb, and it’s not ear piercing, but they will notice your parrot is home.
5. Personality
The birds are known to shake and quack, and you may think this is abnormal; interestingly, this is their natural behavior.
You can choose to keep a pair of quaker parrots, and the earlier you introduce them to each other, the better the bond, plus it will not affect your bonding.
Quaker Parrot Diet
Birds need food with a proper balance of minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and water.
Most people neglect to give proper nutrition to pet birds and assume that simple diets work for them. For an advancement, discuss the parrots’ requirements with your veterinarian.
Never leave out the following nutrients while preparing your parrots’ food.
1. Fruits and Vegetables
In the daily diet, ensure you add greens that should add up to 20%; remember to include pale vegetables with high water composition.
Don’t include avocado in the diet; research shows that it’s toxic to the bird’s health. Vegetables such as celery and iceberg lettuce have little nutritional value too.
Wash the fruits thoroughly to remove dirt and chemicals on the fruit and cut them into small pieces that will give the birds an easy time feeding.
Additionally, place the fruits and vegetables in different dishes, and if you notice the bird is developing fancy toward one type of fruit, reduce the amount.
2. Water
Always include fresh water in the diet from your tap or bottled water if your tap water doesn’t meet the standards.
Remember to clean the dishes and water containers with soap and water daily.
3. Pelleted diets
Different companies have come up with various types of pellets that vary in size, color, size, and shape, all aimed at meeting the birds’ nutritional requirements.
This ideal diet will work for your quaker parrot, and it’s the best choice for weaning them from seed, starting with 70% of pellets.
Converting Your Quaker Parrot to a Pelleted Diet
At first, your bird may not recognize the pellets as food; you need to be patient enough. Introduce a bowl of pellets early in the morning when the birds are on empty stomachs.
Even if they take time to respond to the meal, they will eventually get used; you only need to be consistent in placing the pellets.
Here’s the catch, never mix pellets and seeds; if you do, the birds will pick the seeds and leave the pellets.
After some time, crush the pellets and mix them with small amounts of table food and eliminate the food, eventually leaving the birds with the pellets.
Ensure that you check the weight of the birds after introducing the pellets and if they are losing a lot of weight, consult your veterinarian.
4. Vitamins, Minerals, and Amino Acids
Once you talk to your vet about the parrot’s diet, they will tell you if your bird needs supplements. However, parrots on a pellet diet don’t require these supplements.
Introduce calcium supplements if your parrot has calcium deficiency or has started laying eggs.
5. Human Food
Introducing small amounts of nutritious food taken by your family will not harm the bird. The parrots find food such as eggs, cooked meat, and cheese enjoyable.
When giving dairy products to your birds, give them small amounts since birds are lactose intolerant. Avoid junk and beverages containing caffeine which are toxic to the bird.
Final Thoughts
Quack parrots are excellent companions, and bonding with them will bring them closer to you. Make it your responsibility to check on their diet to avoid diet-related diseases and prevent your birds from running away. Ensure you change their water daily, offer fresh fruits and vegetables, and clean the dishes with soap and water to keep your parrot healthy.
