Quaker parrots are small species of parrots popular among bird lovers due to their excellent talking abilities. They are widely kept as pet babies all around the world for their highly developed vocalization skills and also for the companionship they offer to the pet owners. As the parrot species, as a whole, is quite vocal, they are best suited for the individuals residing in their own separate homes. But that shouldn’t discourage you from having a Quaker parrot, even if you reside in an apartment. Moreover, you can’t leave your baby behind if you ever plan to shift to an apartment from your standalone home.
Pre-requisites
Certain important pre-requisites need to be paid attention to before you plan to bring your Quaker in the apartment. You need to first check with the local laws of the place the apartment is situated in. There are certain states where Quaker parrots are banned to be kept as pets. In these areas, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service euthanize the Quaker if they find one. The pet owner will also face the penalty for breaking the state rules. So, it is better to keep yourself informed of the by-laws concerning the Quaker parrots in your neighborhood.
Here is more information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service about importing parrots, and owning one :
https://www.fws.gov/international/travel-and-trade/traveling-with-your-pet-bird.html#1
The other important consideration would be the rules set by the apartment owner for keeping Quaker Parrot. There are many apartment buildings where pets are not allowed due to individual preferences of the occupants. If a pet is seen in such a building, a complaint is raised against the apartment owner for disregarding the rules of the community. The owner will face adverse consequences in such a case and he might receive a notice to leave the apartment from the apartment owner. To avoid the hassle of shifting to a new place later, it is better to gain some insight into the regulations of the neighborhood beforehand.
Quaker parrot Settling-down in appartment
Now that you have an apartment suited both to your and your Quaker’s needs, its time to settle down. While doing so, make the required modifications in the apartment to make the place safe for your bird. Items posing danger to the bird must be kept away from his reach. The way you make a place for your belongings, ensure to provide enough room for your pet Quaker’s comfort in the apartment too.
Positives
As Quaker parrots are relatively smaller in size than many other parrot species, they can be easily accommodated in an apartment. A spacious bird-cage with some facilities is all they require for leading a happy and fulfilling life. They do not demand a whole big aviary like Hyacinth Macaw, another species of parrots. An occasional out-of-cage flight in your presence will serve their flight needs too.
– More about Quaker Parrot Aviary:
https://parrotquaker.com/quaker-parrot-aviary/
– More about Quaker Parrot Home:
https://parrotquaker.com/where-are-quaker-parrots-from/
There is another good reason to choose Quaker over other species for an apartment living. They are comparatively quieter than many other parrot species like Conures, who are known for their screaming behaviors. Quakers need the feel to talk and chatter to satisfy their social needs. If they are receiving the desired attention, they do not have any reason to scream.
Quaker parrot in an apartment – problems
There are certain problems faced by the pet owners while sharing an apartment with a Quaker. Some problems relate to minor issues while others need to be worked hard upon. The first and foremost thing you need to take care of is your community members. Being a responsible resident, you must ensure that your building never suffers any damages due to the activities of your pet. You are responsible for all his actions. He should never bother your neighbors.
Cleanliness
The responsibility of keeping the building clean lies with its occupants. If your pet bird stains any corridor or stairs or any part of the building, you must wipe it up to provide a clean environment to your neighbors. More about the Quaker parrot grooming process.
Noise Problem
The major problem that usually arises with a Quaker in an apartment is his highly developed vocalization skills. It also varies from individual to individual. Some Quakers are extremely quiet and others are extremely noisy. It is, therefore, advised to keep a single Quaker if you live in an apartment to avoid noise issues. It is because the volume increases with an increase in the number of Quakers chatting together at the same time.
It is normal for a Quaker to make sounds during his daily activities. Such sounds are, sometimes, the sounds of their contentment, excitement or happiness. They make such noises when they play with you, have a treat or get excited while talking to you. It is suggested to encourage such soft and natural noises in Quakers as it keeps them healthy and happy. Quaker parrots discouraged from making these sounds develop behavioral issues.
Reasons for Abnormal Noise
There are times when your pet Quaker behaves abnormally loud and it becomes disturbing for your neighbors in an apartment building. You need to delve deep into the reasons for their screaming behaviors to solve the issue permanently.
When you get a new look, your pet parrot might feel strange and express his feelings, he might show screaming behavior. An example would include a new hair color taken by you. At times, a change in your room could also become a reason for your pet’s noisy behavior. He might not be liking the new wall color or the new painting you bought. In these situations, try to understand his true concern and provide him with a similar living atmosphere he is comfortable in.
Quaker parrot can be extremely vocal
Extreme vocal habits can also develop when a Quaker is kept with a larger bird who is more vocal than him. He might learn to speak louder from this larger species and continue doing that if not pointed out. Some Quakers scream due to extra energy build-up inside them and such loud chatters channelize their extra energy.
The most common issue faced by the pet owners in an apartment is the attention callings by their Quakers when you are audible to them from the other room. When a Quaker hears you, he assumes that you can hear him too and they start chatting with you. The sound becomes louder when you do not come in their sight for a while. They are just calling you for some attention with these noises.
Quaker parrot Noise Control
It is very important to discipline your Quaker parrot with reasonable sounds. In an apartment, it becomes all the more important to inculcate quiet habits in him to avoid any problems with your neighbors.
Physical controls
The normal chatters of Quaker can be muffled with the help of installing soundproof panels on the walls of the room. One can also fix little soundproofing drums on the back wall and sidewall of the cage, leaving the front and top of the cage-free for sufficient air-flow. Placing rugs on the floor and heavy drapes also absorb much of the noise.
Mental controls
One can also control the noisy behavior of Quaker by engaging him in certain activities. With a little patience and few techniques, Quakers can be made quieter than their usual selves.
Turning off lights, and covering the cage with a blanket while leaving little space for air circulating can help to make Quaker parrot Calm down.
Quakers take a good amount of sleep at night and are vocal only during the daytime. When the lights are turned off, they know its time to sleep. When a Quaker behaves noisily, either dim the lights or cover his cage with a dark cloth to make him go into relaxation mode. He will feel the need to sleep in the dark and will stop being noisy.
Sometimes, Quakers might behave abnormally due to some threat or potential threat. Whispering with some reassuring words to them will help in pacifying them. You need to reassure them that they are safe with you. Spend some time with them to comfort them in such situations.
Positive reinforcement plays an important role in disciplining any pet. You need to set the noise levels in your house and make your pets abide by them. When your Quaker behaves quietly on your order, treat him with his favorite foods or toys. It will ensure the repetition of good behavior in anticipation of receiving treats again. A punishment helps in case of bad behavior, particularly when the noise levels cross the set limits. In the case of Quaker parrots, it shall be in the form of completely ignoring them during such bad behaviors. It will be a message to the bird that his screams are not answered by his owner and are of no use, he is less likely to scream the next time.
More about – how to train Quaker parrot:
https://parrotquaker.com/how-to-train-a-quaker-parrot/
More tips of making quaker parrot less noisy in apartment
Another interesting way to channelize your bird’s energy is to give him a bath when he is noisy. Quakers love bathing and would love spending that time with you. You can be sure to receive some silence from their side for a couple of hours after a good bath. Quaker will be busy preening his wet feathers and won’t bother you for a while.
It is better to calm your Quaker before his sweet chatter turns into noise. Being a pet parent, you get aware of the pre-noise behavior and can address the issue in advance. It helps both your pet and your apartment neighbors too.
Conclusion
It is possible to keep the Quaker parrot in an apartment while taking care of his social and flight needs. You just need to be a little thoughtful of your surroundings to avoid any issues.
Check out our Amazon store For Parrot Cage.