How to Find a Mate to Breed a Quaker Parrot

Finding a mate to breed your Quaker Parrot can be challenging depending on whether there is a breeding mate in your area. If the only option of a mate requires travel, this can be stressful on the bird; when a bird is stressed, it is less likely to mate successfully. However, there are several options to explore to locate a mate close to you.

Things You'll Need

  • Phone
  • Internet access
  • Vehicle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Inform your own Quaker parrot network that you are looking to breed your Quaker. A personal recommendation is always best when it comes to find a reputable owner with a breeding bird.

    • 2

      Decide whether you want to own the mate to your bird or simply breed to a bird someone else owns. Keep in mind that owning the mate means that you cannot breed their offspring back to their own parent; inbreeding is common in the bird breeding world, but direct line (sister and brother) is too close. So if you plan to breed the offspring of a pair you own, you will still eventually end up searching for a mate.

    • 3

      Locate a veterinarian in your area that specializes in birds. Ask if he has any clients that have breeding Quaker parrots. Veterinarians will often volunteer names of breeders they recommend, but don't expect a direct answer if you ask your veterinarian about a breeder you heard about. Most are not interested in saying negative things about breeders.

    • 4

      Check with a local pet store that specializes in birds. They may have sold a Quaker parrot to someone that they know uses the bird for breeding. If they don't want to give out the breeder's information directly, ask that the store owner give your contact information to the potential breeder.

    • 5

      Search online for Quaker parrot breeders. There are several Quaker-specific websites, such as BirdBreeders.com and Michael Clay's Quaker Parrot Pages; the latter has breeders listed by state. Some of these breeders simply sell offspring, others have breeding birds you can mate your parrot with. Be sure to thoroughly investigate any breeder you find for reputation before mating your bird.

    • 6

      Purchase a quality Quaker parrot with the characteristics you desire. It is difficult to tell male Quakers from females; if you are going to purchase just one bird, you will want to have it surgically sexed or DNA tested to be sure you are getting the opposite sex. Another alternative is to purchase several Quaker parrots, put them all in together and see which become breeding mates. According to Winged Wisdom Pet Bird Ezine (Breeding the Quaker Parrot by Theresa Jordan), Quakers do not tend to be fussy about their mates and will bond together easily.