Why have several states outlawed these lovable little parrots?
What makes them so different from other species of parrots?
Why do people speak so negatively about them?
What Can I Do To Help?
(The following information is taken from a flyer created by
The Bird Clubs of America and is used with permission)
Quakers (Monk parakeets) make huge nests of twigs and such, and raise large clutches of chicks in these nests.
Electric companies don't like quakers building on their transmitter poles, and complain to the state.
Homeowners don't like them because during breeding season, Quakers in nearby nests chase away the native birds from their feeding areas.
People who bought Quakers for $50 many years ago or received them for free released them when they could not bear to hear the
rackety screaming of such wild birds in captivity.
What Can Aviculturists Do to Reduce The Objections
of Homeowners and Government?
 | Band all quaker babies.
| Sell only to educated pet owners/breeders.
| Train potential pet owners to handfeed babies before taking them home.
| If you are accustomed to giving your Quaker free time outside his/her cage, have their wings clipped to prevent accidental escape.
| If you no longer want your Quaker, find a caring owner or breeder who will take responsibility for your Quaker rather than set him/her free.
| Don't let veterinarians remove bands unless medically necessary. You may have to move or visit a state that requires banding of Quakers.
| If you are a leader or influential member of a bird club, publicize your state's laws concerning Quakers. If in a state which has restrictions, organize those who could meet with the state regulators (different names in different states) when regulations are up for review, to arrive at reasonable and effective laws. State regulators are usually most reasonable to reasonable people and want to have laws that can be effective. Often states copy regulations of other states thinking there must be some good reason for these restrictions.
| Organize/research/get state approval for a rescue group to take babies from unwanted nests in trees, etc. Band the babies
and raise them as hand-fed pets if possible. Find someone to take the adults as breeders if allowed; otherwise they may be euthanized.
| If your state has no laws but you have Quakers, be sure to write stories and spread the word about the voluntary responsibilities of owners and breeders.
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