Quaker (Monk) Parrot aka Grey-breasted Parakeet
Overview ... Quakers as Pets ... Breeding Quakers
Quaker Parrot Colors / Mutations
Potential Health Problems ... Feral Quakers ... Unites States Laws Regulating the Ownership & Sale of Quaker Parrots ... Physical Description ... Taxonomy ... Distribution in the Wild ... Quaker Library
Are you looking for a Quaker Parrot? Click here for a listing of breeders
The Quaker Parrot got its name from the facial feathering that has a gray bibbed pattern, resembling an old fashioned Quaker costume.
The following overview and table has been provided by Dr. Rob Marshall:
The Quaker Parrot, also known as the Monk Parrot, originates from South America. In the wild, these birds exist in large colonies with complex social structures.
They have an unusual ability to use twigs and pliable branches to build large, communal nests in which all members of the colony may breed. As a result of this rich social structure, the Quaker Parrot is a highly social, friendly and energetic bird and makes a wonderful pet.
Quaker (Monk) Parrot |
| Size: 30cm in length |
| Pet Status: Excellent |
| Talking Ability: Excellent |
| Noise Level: Low - Moderate |
| Lifespan: 25-30 years |
| Breeding Ability: Excellent |
| Number of Eggs: 4-8 eggs |
| Incubation: 24-28 days |
| Compatibility with other species: Not Advised |
| Feeding: Seed and Fruit Eaters |
| Health Programmes: Follow the Parrot Health Programme. |
| Sexing: Surgical or DNA sexing is required. Females are generally larger than males. |
They are playful, cheeky and inquisitive and make excellent talkers. The voice of the Quaker Parrot has a distinct croaky/clicking sound and raspy chattering is frequently heard from these birds. Socialisation and interaction form an important part of the Quaker Parrots daily routine. This positive training approach should be used to overcome the domineering behaviour that some Quaker parrots may exhibit. They should not be confined to the cage as this may lead to behavioural problems. Physically, the Quaker Parrot is a hardy bird and is able to tolerate cold temperatures well.
Quakers are active, inquisitive, mischievous, intelligent, playful, and engaging parrots. Their antics are a constant delight to their owners. They are completely devoted, bonding closely with their human owners. Purchasing a handfed, well-socialized baby is a good way to obtain a parrot with great pet potential, although with love and patience, most parrots can become great pets. Quakers are exceptionally hardy birds. They can live to be 25 to 30 years of age.
Quakers love their toys and will approach a newly introduced toy much sooner than the average bird.
- However, they do become bored with them more quickly than most birds - therefore, a frequent change is recommended. Most parrot owners rotate toys frequently.
They are strong chewers and can rapidly demolish even rigid items -- which must be kept in mind for their safety. Keeping Quakers entertained will keep their minds off inappropriate activities.
- Please refer to the following websites for tips and tricks to entertain them and reduce their chewing: Environmental Changes .... Bird Proofing Your Home .... Foraging stops destructive behaviors ... Also refer to: Redirecting Negative Behaviors in your Petbird
They are also very "mechanically inclined" - being able to figure out most cage locks in no time, and disassembling toys with ease. Many pet owners describe how their pets industriously build nests placed around the house using shredded paper, pencils, tooth picks, or any material that they can find. Some single Quakers don't actually build nests, but, enjoy weaving various materials through the bars of their cages.
Quaker Parakeets are usually very vocal and capable talkers. Many Quakers sing songs and pick up extensive vocabularies. Most Quakers learn to talk at about six months. They speak quite clearly and use their skills most appropriately. They can entertain themselves for hours chirping, whistling and practicing human vocalizations. The opinions as to how noisy they are as pets vary -- some consider them very noisy, while others describe them as moderately noisy and might even enjoy their chattering. The rule, however, is that they will be noisier if other parrots are around, as they like to "hold long (and noisy) conversations" with them. The Quakers also acquire modeled loud sounds, such as barking, screaming and the chronic coughing of a human.
- Owners often make the mistake of reinforcing undesirable sounds; the best response to inappropriate sounds, in most cases, is to ignore them, not by rewarding them with a reaction, such as shouting.
- Training and good rolemodeling can help reduce the noises these parrots make. Teaching him or her to talk will also divert their vocalizations.
Quakers are notorious for being cage possessive. They could severely injure, or even kill, a bird that enters their cage uninvited. So it's important to make sure that they are not placed together with other birds into the same cage until they have had time to bond with their prospective cage mate.
The Quaker Parakeets respond well to training. If these parrots are neglected, they can develop behavioral problems, such as screaming and aggressive behavior.
- Training, appropriate care, a stimulating environment and daily interaction is required to ensure the well-being of this intelligent parrot - and the successful integration into its human family.
- Also refer to: Redirecting Negative Behaviors in your Petbird for some excellent tips and tricks.
Training and Behavioral Guidance:
The Quaker Parakeets can develop behavioral issues, especially the following:
- Excessive Chewing: Quaker Parrots are strong chewers and can rapidly demolish even rigid items.
- Biting: Quakers that are ignored and not properly socialized can become nippy.
- The "Noise" Factor: They can entertain themselves for hours chirping, whistling and practicing human vocalizations. The opinions as to how noisy they are as pets vary -- some consider them very noisy, while others describe them as moderately noisy and might even enjoy their chattering. The rule, however, is that they will be noisier if other parrots are around, as they like to "hold long (and noisy) conversations" with them. The Quakers also acquire modeled loud sounds, such as barking, screaming and the chronic coughing of a human.
Owners often make the mistake of reinforcing undesirable sounds; the best response to inappropriate sounds, in most cases, is to ignore them, not by rewarding them with a reaction, such as shouting.
Training and good rolemodeling can help reduce the noises these parrots make. Teaching him or her to talk will also divert their vocalizations
Training and behavioral guidance will help your pet be the kind of companion you want it to be ...
- AvianWeb Resources: I put together web resources for you to help you understand your pet bird and properly direct him.
- Please visit this website for valuable tips on parrot behavior and training. If you found a way to resolve a "parrot behavioral issue" please share it with others.
- If you are, as I am, a visual learner and prefer step-by-step instructions to train your pet, I recommend:
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
- Stop Biting
- Perform Tricks &
- Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
- and/or try the "Teach Your Parrot to Talk" Training Course.
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
If you are considering one of these magnificent parrots as pets, please visit the following websites for information:
- Procuring your Parrot - Quaker Parrots are usually easily available and are, therefore, relatively inexpensive (in the $150 range).
- Quaker Breeders
Do you breed this species and would like to be listed? Click here to see your options.
- Housing Your Bird
- Training Your Bird
- Bird Nutrition
- Parrot Products
Quakers are usually pretty hardy -- although can be afflicted with Fatty Liver Disease, which is mostly caused by all-seed diets that many well-meaning, but uninformed, owners provide them with. They should not be allowed to become overweight.
Feather plucking, and in some instances even self-mutilation (aka Quaker Mutilation Syndrome or QMS) are health problems that Quakers can develop. Purchasing a healthy, well-socialized parrot, and providing it with appropriate care and a stimulating and loving environment will be the best way to prevent these health issues. Once your bird has developed these health problems, an examination by an avian vet is strongly recommended.
Unites States Laws Regulating the Ownership & Sale of Quaker Parrots:
Quaker parakeets are considered agricultural pests as they eat crop and build their nests in electrical installations.
- They are illegal to own or to sell in California, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Hawaii, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Wyoming.
- They are legal to own, but illegal to sell or breed in Connecticut.
- They are legal to own with registration and banding in New York.
- They are legal to own with breeder or seller registration in Virginia.
- Ownership is not prohibited but discouraged in: Georgia. Importation into the state is forbidden.
- For additional / or up-to-date information, please contact your local USDA Fish & Wildlife Office.
The Monk Parakeet has established feral colonies around the United States, mostly in Florida, Connecticut, New York, Texas, New Jersey, and Illinois.
When I moved to Florida, I was delighted to see the large population of wild Quaker Parrots (sub-species of the Monk Parakeet) who have made this their home. They are not indigenous to this area -- and are escaped or freed pets or breeder birds. You can see them making their nests along the streets (they like the very tall lamp posts and electrical installations, the latter of which is one of the problems municipalities have to deal with). I also see them nesting in trees, especially palm trees.
I absolutely love sitting outside in my garden and watch them by my bird feeder -- and there is no way to miss them, as they are quite noisy and always come in groups. Bird lovers, like myself, treasure them, while others consider them pests. In fact, they are illegal in several U.S. states, as they are considered agricultural pests.
General plumage green; forehead bluish-grey; lores, cheeks and throat whitish-grey; breast brownish-grey, each feather edged with pale grey; upper abdomen olive-yellow; lower abdomen, rump, thighs and upper tail-coverts yellowish-green; outer webs of flight feathers blue; tail upperside green with blue down centre; underside pale green with greyish-blue base; periophthalmic ring grey; bill brownish-horn colour; iris dark brown; feet grey. Immatures with forehead tinged greenish. ... Length: 30 cm (12 ins), winglength 145-160 mm (5.75 - 6.25 ins)
Rio Grande do Sul, extreme southeast Brazil; Uruguay; northeast Argentina in provinces of Entre Rios, Santa Fe, Cordoba and Buenos Aires ... CITES II - Endangered Species
Species: Scientific: Myiopsitta monachus monachus ... English: Monk Parakeet, Grey-breasted Parakeet ... Dutch: Monniksparkiet, Muisparkiet ... German: Mönchssittich ... French: Perruche moine
Sub-Species: luchsi, cotorra, calita, monachus
If you would like to add to or correct any of the above information, or would like to share with the AvianWeb visitors your own experiences, please e-mail the AvianWeb Webmaster.
Photo contributions and articles are welcome!
