Quaker Parrot Facts

The Quaker parrot is known for its intelligence, curiosity and friendliness. It likes humans, and requires ample interaction with people and plenty of mental stimulation. This "little clown," although entertaining to live with and watch, can sometimes get itself into trouble by escaping from its cage or letting its curiosity guide it into dangerous situations. This adventurousness is just one of many facts about the bird that may surprise people who have never lived with one.

  1. It's a Social Animal

    • In the wild, the Quaker parrot is most often found in areas heavily populated by humans. In captivity, this bird thrives on and relies on human companionship. While some Quaker parrots build single nests, they most often use communal nests built over several years and inhabited by multiple pairs of birds. Each pair has its own space with a separate entrance. Quaker parrots also have a reputation for being gregarious and for needing intensive socialization as youngsters. If not properly socialized while young, they may grow up to be loud and might not do well around small children.

    It Has Many Names

    • The Quaker parrot is also known as the monk parrot or gray-breasted parakeet. According to Pet Education, much of the literature refers to it as a parakeet because of its long tail, but its personality has more in common with that of the parrot. It has four subspecies: Luch's or Bolivian gray-breasted parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus luhsi), Paraguayan gray-breasted parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus cotorra), Mendoza gray-breasted parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus calilta), and the monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus monachus).

    It Gets Into Trouble

    • Quaker parrots are adventurous and accident-prone, and anyone owning one must take special care to "parrot-proof" the house. Owners may need to keep wings clipped and cover or block potential dangers such as aquariums and toilet bowls. As with all high-energy animals, Quaker parrots sometimes direct their excess energy onto themselves. This can manifest as self-mutilation, in which the birds pull or pluck their feathers. In more extreme cases, known as Quaker Mutilation Syndrome, the parrots chew into their skin, potentially causing severe and permanent damage. In this case, the bird should be seen by an avian vet, who understands the physical and behavioral causes for the disorder and knows the best course of treatment.

    It's Illegal to Own in Some States

    • Because Quaker parrots can pose a danger to crops, some states prohibit owning, registering or selling them. Other states allow owning them as pets, but only with a permit or only after strict criteria are met. Pet Education recommends contacting the local division of wildlife or agriculture department before purchasing one. According to the Quaker Parakeet Society, the following states have restrictions on Quaker parrots: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia.