About Quaker Parrots

Quaker parrots, also known as Monk parakeets, are the only member of their genus, Myiopsitta. Although they are native to South America, Quaker parrots have established wild, or feral, populations in North America. Some bird owners have lifestyles that are compatible with Quaker parrots and purchase the birds as companionable pets from breeders or pet stores. Quaker parrots are colorful birds with distinct physical features and personality traits.

  1. Appearance

    • Quaker parrots are 11 to 13 inches long, medium-size birds. They are similar in size to cockatiels and bright green in color. A Quaker's head, cheeks and throat are pale gray. While predominantly green and gray in color, Quakers have some tail and flight feathers that are blue and some yellow abdomen feathers. The parrots have tapered tail feathers, brown eyes and a beak that is light pinkish-brown. Male and female Quakers are similar in appearance.

    Personality

    • The parrots are energetic and highly sociable birds that need companionship. If you have just one Quaker, it will depend on you for attention and social interaction. The birds are known for their loud noise making and tend to make loud screech sounds when they call to other birds or humans. Many of them talk and have a well-developed memory that will retain a word or phrase after hearing it only once. Quakers like to be in control and benefit from a a rigid schedule of feeding and playing. They are expressive birds and do not hide their emotions.

    Health

    • While a poorly cared for Quaker parrot can die in less than five years of its life, a healthy, well-cared for parrot has the potential to live for 35 to 40 years. You should take the bird to an experienced avian veterinarian for a physical checkup as soon as you purchase the bird. Quakers are generally healthy birds, and eliminating potential health hazards in your environment that could harm your pet is important. They like to chew on all sorts of objects, so place electrical wires and cords out of sight in your household if you take your parrot out of its cage. Cigarette smoke can shorten a Quaker's life, so if you smoke, do it outside of the house away from your bird.

    Legal Issues

    • Some states have laws against owning or selling Quaker parrots because of the potential agricultural risks they pose. In California, Quakers are illegal to own and sell, and the California's Department of Agriculture considers the bird an agricultural pest. Embassies and consulates of Argentina say that the bird is a pest and eats and destroys grain crops each year. Quaker parrots can survive in cold climates and breed easily, causing some legislators to fear that large colonies of the birds will disperse over wide areas and ruin crops. Find out if Quakers are legal to own in your home state before you purchase one in another state or country.