Quaker Parrot

Quaker Parrot Cages

Quaker Parrots are notorious escape artists. If they can find a way to get out of their cage, they will. This means it is extra important to make sure to buy a cage that is absolutely safe for them. Before we get into all of the safety features to look for, let’s first address the appropriate size for your Quaker Parrot's cage.

The right size cage is anything larger than 18”x18”x18.” Many experts recommend a cage designed for a medium sized conure. As with any bird, the larger the cage, the better. Birds including the Quaker Parrot need space to move around and explore their environment. A larger cage gives you plenty of room to add perches and climbing branches as well as space to hang and place toys to keep your Quaker Parrot active and engaged.

Now onto the safety features. As stated earlier, Quakers are excellent at finding a way out of their cage. This means the space between the bars of the cage has to be just right. Too far apart you’re your little bird can slip right between them or worse, get stuck between them as they’re trying to squeeze out. A good rule of thumb is to make sure the bars are at least 5/8 of an inch apart.

The next safety feature to consider is the door to your bird’s cage. Guillotine doors are extremely dangerous because many Quakers can unhinge their door and when they’re sneaking through the guillotine style door, it can slam down on their heads, necks or bodies and trap them or injure them severely.

The best style doors will open sideways like a typical door in your home or down like a drawbridge over a moat. You may have to find a way to lock the door because your Quaker will undoubtedly figure out how to open their door if you don’t. Heck, they might even figure out how to open it even if you do lock it.

Another important safety feature is the material that your Quaker Parrots cage is made of. Stainless steel is by far and away the best material you can buy. It is also the most expensive. Stainless doesn’t rust, there’s no paint to chip, and it is extremely durable to your bird’s beak. It’s easy to clean and it will last a lifetime.

The next best cage material is a cage made of steel and treated with a non-toxic paint that will not chip. Often the paint needs to be a special paint that is baked on to keep it from chipping. Chipping paint can poison your bird.

So what else should you look for in a proper caging environment for your Quaker Parrot? Location is an important consideration. The best location for your bird’s cage is generally in the main living space of your home but not right in the middle of it. All birds are significantly more comfortable if they can have one or two sides of their cage toward a wall.

This makes it easier for them to feel protected and they don’t have to keep watch on all four sides of their cage. Additionally, by placing the cage in the main living space in your home, and not in a back room that is rarely visited, means your bird will feel like part of the family and not an afterthought. Birds by nature are social creatures and they want to feel like part of the family – especially the social Quaker Parrot.

Inside your Parrots cage you will want to make sure to offer a variety of toys to keep your Quaker engaged and stimulated. These birds are too smart to be left alone to their own devices. Each Quaker will have their own favorite toys so it is important to offer a variety of toys with different colors, textures, shapes, materials, and purposes.

Some toys are meant to be chewed, some are meant to be climbed, and some are meant to be solved. Your Quaker will likely really appreciate the puzzle toys that are meant to be solved.

Other daily care requirements are a clean cage. If you purchase a cage with a lower tray that is easily removed and contained below a wire grate, daily cleaning will take less than 5 minutes. A good weekly cleaning and sanitizing is also imperative for a healthy Quaker parakeet.

In addition to daily cleaning, you will want to provide your Quaker with fresh water, fruits, and veggies. The fresh fruits and vegetables are on top of a pellet based diet and the occasional treat of seeds and nuts. Almost any fruits and vegetables are acceptable, excluding the avocado which is toxic to all birds, and your Quaker will likely have a few favorites.

The last daily care consideration is to give your Quaker Parrot your time and attention outside of their cage every day. Quakers not only need to get out and exercise, it is important for them to interact with you and other family members.

An excellent way to spend this time is by training your Quaker for a few minutes each day. Training will teach them to trust you and other family members, it will teach them a few tricks to make daily life easier like stepping up or stepping down and it will help keep their bright minds stimulated. Quaker Parrot Training can be a fun way to bond with your bird as well.

It is important to not only keep your Quaker safe by providing them with a proper cage, it is important to make sure your Parrot is getting the toys, nutrition, and attention they need to grow into a happy and healthy bird.