Quakers - are the only parrots that build. All the rest hollow out holes in trees. So, to keep your Quaker busy and happy all it needs is a bunch of straws or popsicle sticks. They don't like their caged messed with much - so - no need to keep installing new toys every other week...... just keep the straws and popsicle sticks coming and nobody gets hurt!
Quakers - are not very big. 120-140 grams. Bigger than a green cheek and slightly smaller than a sun conure. Unlike the conure - they have two coats of feathers and easily tolerate the cold if need be. They tend to bond to one person and might tolerate other people of the same sex and similar physical shape. Mine is bonded to me - I can roll him over on his back, pick him up by the tail - he will not bite me. However, if my wife tries to give him a treat he will take it, stuff it in a safe place and quickly turn around and try to bite her. Hates her. Loves me.
I come home from work, I play with him - and he has dinner with me usually. He sits quietly by the side picking out peas, corn, or potatoes. He will make a grab for bacon and run away with it - they seem to have a thing for jerky, bacon, pork, and smoked meats like pork, BBQ, chicken and turkey. They are not big on fruits but more for veggies - sugar snap peas are my birds favorite food in the whole world.
Quakers - will sit quietly on your shoulder while you watch tv or read. Mine is not very particular where he poops - pooping on me seems to be the 'way things are' lol. There are web sites dedicated to them.
Quakers - like most parrots - are not happy with change. If I am not home at the usual time or gone for week at training - he gets grumpy pretty fast. He will usually bite me when I go to handle him - just to let me know his is not happy I was gone. After a few minutes he's back to his old self. I gotta say - he's adapted well to my going to work each day - that is 'normal' and fine.
Down side - if this is your bird - don't expect it to get along with the rest of the people in your home. Mine - didn't get along with my wife or the other birds......... but he did get along well with the cat. When the cat got sick and finally passed away - he got grumpy.
You want one that was hand raised and not raised by parents. Mine was parent raised - and he would be a totally quiet bird if he had not learned the loud 'call' from his parents.
Patagonian Conure-----The largest of the conures. Very intelligent On the noisy side. Funny birds that love to show off. Very similar in size and temperament to the mini macaws. might be out of your price range though.
Quaker. Loves to please his owner. A laugh is plenty reward enough for this bird.
Senegal. Very pretty . Very active and playful. Quieter than the conures.
Gold capped conure. Gorgeous bird with personality to suit.
The quaker should be the least expensive of these and you can't beat a handfed ,socialized one.
Good Luck.
Depends on the bird just about every parrot has a personality. I know my African Grey definitely has a big personality and that seems to be a common trait if greys but they aren't cheap haha
Red Front Amazon. I had one once. Loaded with personality. We named him Zorro because his red mask was shaped like Zorro's
Pocket parrots ARE pricey! How about an african grey or an amazon?
I have been a bird owner before with two parrotlets I've cared for, cleaned, and fed them and know how to take care of one. I'm really interested in a less pricy breeder in the San Fernando Valley CA!!
