Smart, playful, and one of the best small talkers you can own. Our grey Quakers are hand-fed from day one, so they step up easily and bond fast. Each one is DNA-sexed, so you know exactly who you are bringing home.
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The Complete Buyer's Guide
Quaker Parrots for Sale: Hand-Raised Quaker Parrots for Every Age
Looking for a Quaker Parrot that will actually talk back, step up on command, and bond with your family for decades? You're in the right place. QuakerParrot.Online is a dedicated home for the Quaker Parrot (Myiopsitta monachus), also called the Monk Parakeet, a small parrot prized for exceptionally clear talking ability, a curious personality, and a lifespan that can stretch past 20 years. Whether you want a hand-fed baby to raise from the start or a young adult that already talks, we carry Quaker Parrots for sale at every age and in every major color mutation, from classic green to blue, cinnamon, and pied.
This guide covers everything you need before you buy: what a Quaker Parrot is, how big they get, how long they live, what they cost, which states allow ownership, and how to pick the right age for your home.
What Is a Quaker Parrot?
A Quaker Parrot is a small to medium-sized parrot native to the subtropical regions of Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, and southern Brazil, best known for its talking ability, its habit of building its own stick nest, and a captive lifespan of 20 to 30 years.
In scientific circles it's called the Monk Parakeet, and you'll also see it listed under the names Quaker Parakeet, Quaker Bird, or simply "Quaker." All of these names refer to the exact same bird, there's no difference between a Quaker Parrot and a Monk Parakeet beyond the common name used.
Quakers stand out from other parakeets for two reasons. First, they're unusually talkative for their size, often rivaling parrots twice as large in vocabulary and clarity. Second, they're the only parrot species that builds a stick nest instead of nesting in a tree cavity, a trait that has helped feral colonies establish themselves in cities across the United States and Europe.
In the wild, Quakers live in flocks of 20 or more birds and are known for a curious, clownish personality that carries over into captivity. As pets, they're intelligent, food-motivated, quick to learn tricks, and capable of forming an intensely close bond with one person or an entire household.
Quaker Parrot Colors and Mutations
Wild Quaker Parrots are green with a gray face and chest and a hint of blue on the flight feathers. Decades of captive breeding have produced a wide range of color mutations, and color is one of the biggest factors in Quaker Parrot price. Here's what's available:
Green (Normal): The original wild-type color and the most common, budget-friendly option.
Blue: A striking mutation that replaces the green and yellow pigment with soft blue and gray tones.
Cinnamon: A warm, muted brown-green shade caused by reduced dark pigment.
Turquoise: A lighter, brighter variation of the blue mutation.
Pallid: A washed-out, pastel version of green or blue, popular for its soft coloring.
Lutino: A yellow mutation with red or pink eyes, one of the rarer and more expensive colors.
Albino: A pure white bird with red eyes, the rarest and priciest mutation.
Pied: Patches of white or yellow mixed with normal coloring, no two birds identical.
Color doesn't affect personality, talking ability, or lifespan, a green Quaker Parrot makes just as good a companion as a blue or lutino one. It mainly comes down to personal taste and budget. You can browse our current Quaker Parrots for sale by color to see what's available right now.
Personality, Talking Ability, and Temperament
Quaker Parrots have a reputation as one of the best talking birds you can own in a small package. Most Quakers pick up their first words between 5 and 6 months of age, though some start as early as 6 to 8 weeks and others take closer to a year, and many go on to build a vocabulary of dozens of words and phrases, often speaking with unusual clarity for a bird their size. Not every individual bird talks, some prefer whistles, beeps, and mimicked household sounds instead, but talking ability runs high across the species, and daily interaction from a young age makes a big difference.
Outside of talking, Quakers are known for being clever, comedic, and a little bossy. They love foraging toys, shredding paper and cardboard, swinging, and showing off tricks for attention. They bond hard to their favorite person, which makes them wonderful companion birds, but it also means they need real daily interaction, not a bird you can leave in the corner. Left under-stimulated, a Quaker can become a loud or nippy bird, so mental enrichment and out-of-cage time matter as much as diet.
They are also naturally vocal, especially around dawn and dusk. A well-adjusted Quaker in a quiet, dark sleeping environment is typically calm overnight, but daytime chatter and the occasional loud contact call are part of owning the breed.
Quaker Parrot Size, Weight, and Lifespan
A full-grown Quaker Parrot measures about 11 to 12 inches from head to tail and weighs between 90 and 140 grams, making it noticeably larger than a budgie or lovebird but smaller than a conure or cockatiel. Chicks hatch weighing just a few grams and reach adult size and weight by around 8 to 10 weeks old, right around the time they leave the nest.
Lifespan is one of the biggest commitments a Quaker Parrot asks of an owner. With proper diet, veterinary care, and a safe environment, pet Quaker Parrots commonly live 20 to 30 years, and well-documented individuals have reached beyond 30. Wild and feral Quakers typically live 10 to 15 years due to predators, weather, and food scarcity, captivity removes most of those risks, which is the main reason pet Quakers live so much longer. Before bringing one home, it's worth thinking of a Quaker Parrot less like a pet and more like a decades-long member of the family.
Quaker Parrots for Sale by Age: What to Expect
One thing that sets QuakerParrot.Online apart is that we carry Quaker Parrots for sale at every stage of life, not just unweaned babies. Each age offers a different experience, so here's what to expect from each one.
Hand-Fed Baby Quaker Parrots (6–12 weeks old)
These are the youngest birds we offer, either just weaning or freshly weaned onto solid food. Raising a baby Quaker gives you the strongest possible bond, since the bird imprints on your voice, hands, and household from the very start. Babies need a warm environment, a consistent feeding or weaning schedule, and gentle, frequent handling. This age is best for owners who want to be fully hands-on from day one.
Juvenile Quaker Parrots (3–12 months old)
Fully weaned and eating on their own, juvenile Quakers are past the fragile early stage but still forming their adult personality. This is typically when talking begins, and it's an easier entry point for first-time bird owners who want a young, moldable bird without the intensive care a newly-weaned baby needs.
Young Adult Quaker Parrots (1–3 years old)
By this age, a Quaker Parrot has its full adult coloring, a settled personality, and, in most cases, an established vocabulary if it was raised around people. Young adults are a great choice for buyers who want a bird that's already social and talking, without waiting through the juvenile learning phase.
Mature Adult Quaker Parrots (3+ years old)
Mature Quakers are the most predictable in temperament, since their personality and habits are fully established. Some mature birds available for sale are previously owned or retired breeder birds being rehomed. They can still bond closely with a new owner when introduced patiently, and they're often a calmer choice for households that want a companion bird without the higher energy of a baby or juvenile.
Whatever age fits your household, every Quaker Parrot listed on QuakerParrot.Online is healthy, actively eating, and ready for its next home. See our full Quaker Parrot care and feeding guide to get set up before your new bird arrives.
Quaker Parrot Diet, Cage, and Daily Care
A healthy Quaker Parrot diet is built around a high-quality pelleted formula, which should make up roughly 60–70% of daily intake, supplemented with fresh vegetables, leafy greens, a small amount of fruit, and limited fortified seed as a treat rather than a base diet. Avocado, chocolate, caffeine, onion, and salty foods are toxic or harmful to Quakers and should never be offered.
Because Quakers are active, intelligent birds, they need a spacious cage, at minimum 24 x 24 x 24 inches, with bar spacing narrow enough that a curious head can't get stuck. Fill the cage with foraging toys, wood to chew, and rotating perches of different diameters to keep feet healthy. See our recommended cage and supply checklist for a full setup list. Out-of-cage time every day, ideally an hour or more, keeps a Quaker mentally satisfied and reduces problem behaviors like feather plucking or excess screaming.
Routine care also includes an annual wellness exam with an avian veterinarian, fresh water daily, and a consistent sleep schedule of 10–12 hours of darkness and quiet, since Quakers that don't get enough rest can become cranky or aggressive.
Quaker Parrot vs. Other Popular Pet Birds
If you're choosing between a Quaker Parrot and another species, here's how it compares to the birds people ask about most:
Quaker Parrot vs. Conure
Conures are typically louder and, in many species, a bit more nippy during hormonal periods. Quakers are usually better talkers than most conure species and form deeper one-on-one bonds, though both need daily attention.
Quaker Parrot vs. Cockatiel
Cockatiels are quieter, smaller, and generally easier for first-time owners, but they rarely talk clearly. Quakers are larger, bolder, and far more likely to build a real vocabulary.
Quaker Parrot vs. Budgie
Budgies are smaller, less expensive, and lower-maintenance, but a Quaker's talking clarity and personality depth are in a different league, at the cost of more required attention and a much longer lifespan commitment.
Quaker Parrot vs. Indian Ringneck
Ringnecks are known for exceptional talking too, but they tend to be more independent and less cuddly. Quakers usually bond more physically and enjoy more hands-on interaction.
There's no universally "better" bird, it comes down to how much daily interaction you can offer and how important talking ability is to you.
Is It Legal to Own a Quaker Parrot? State-by-State Overview
This is one question every prospective buyer should research before purchasing, because Quaker Parrot ownership is regulated in parts of the United States. Because escaped and released pet Quakers formed feral colonies, some states classify them as an invasive species due to concerns about agricultural crop damage and competition with native birds. As a result, rules vary significantly by state:
States that generally prohibit pet ownership: California, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Wyoming are the states most consistently cited as banning Quaker Parrots outright.
States with restrictions, permits, or grandfather clauses: Colorado (birds owned before 1990 may be grandfathered in), Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio impose permit requirements, banding, wing-clipping rules, or other conditions in at least some sources.
States most commonly listed as unrestricted: The majority of states, including Texas, Florida, Illinois, and most of the Midwest and Northeast beyond the states above, currently allow Quaker Parrots as pets with no state-level permit.
State laws on invasive species change more often than most pet regulations, and sources don't always agree on borderline states like Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Before you buy or bring a Quaker Parrot across state lines, confirm current rules with your state's Department of Agriculture, Department of Fish and Wildlife, or equivalent wildlife agency. See our shipping and legal states policy for the full list of states we currently ship to, QuakerParrot.Online only ships to locations where Quaker Parrot ownership is legal.
Quaker Parrot Price: What Affects the Cost
Quaker Parrot prices typically range from about $250 to $900, and several factors move a bird up or down within that range:
Color/mutation: Green is the most affordable, common color. Blue, cinnamon, and pallid mutations usually run higher, and rarer colors like lutino, albino, and pied command the highest prices due to limited supply.
Age: Hand-fed babies and juveniles are typically priced higher than older rehomed adults, reflecting the time and labor of hand-feeding and early socialization.
Talking ability: A young adult or mature bird with a confirmed, established vocabulary often costs more than an unweaned baby with unknown talking potential.
Source: Reputable breeders generally price Quakers lower than pet stores, while adoption or rehoming can be the most affordable route, though adopted birds are usually older.
Beyond the purchase price, budget for an appropriately sized cage, toys, a pelleted diet, and an annual avian vet visit, ongoing monthly costs for food, toys, and care commonly fall in the $50–$150 range depending on your setup.
Why Buy Your Quaker Parrot from QuakerParrot.Online
Quaker Parrots for sale at every age: from hand-fed babies to settled mature adults.
Every major color mutation available: from classic green to rare lutino and albino.
Ready to Bring Home Your Quaker Parrot?
From hand-fed babies to talking adults, QuakerParrot.Online carries Quaker Parrots for sale in every age and color mutation, ready to become your next lifelong companion. Browse our current Quaker Parrots for sale →
Got Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Quaker Parrots typically live 20 to 30 years in captivity with proper diet and veterinary care, and some individuals live even longer. In the wild, their lifespan is shorter, usually 10 to 15 years, due to predators and environmental risks.
Yes. Quaker Parrots are considered one of the best-talking small parrots and typically start mimicking words around 5 to 6 months old, though some start earlier or later. Talking ability varies by individual bird, but the species as a whole is known for clear speech and a large vocabulary.
Yes. "Quaker Parrot," "Quaker Parakeet," and "Monk Parakeet" all refer to the same species, Myiopsitta monachus. The names are used interchangeably depending on the region and source.
It depends on your state. Several states, including California, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Wyoming, generally prohibit ownership, while others allow it with permits or restrictions. Most states allow Quaker Parrots as pets with no special permit. Always confirm current rules with your state wildlife agency before buying.
Adult Quaker Parrots reach about 11 to 12 inches in length and weigh between 90 and 140 grams, making them larger than a budgie but smaller than most conures.
Quaker Parrot prices generally range from $250 to $900, depending on color mutation, age, and whether the bird already talks. Rarer colors like albino and lutino sit at the top of that range.
It depends on your experience level and how hands-on you want to be. Hand-fed babies offer the closest bond but need intensive early care, juveniles are a good middle ground, and young or mature adults suit buyers who want an already-socialized, sometimes already-talking bird.
Quaker Parrots are intelligent and food-motivated, which makes them easier to train than many parrot species, but their need for daily interaction and their vocal nature mean they're best suited to owners ready for an active, hands-on pet rather than a low-maintenance one.
