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I have an opportunity to be the new owner of a female Quaker parrot, but I have some doubts. Here's the scoop...

I've already got 3 cockatiels, and all 3 of them were give-aways from people who couldn't care for them anymore. They're needing a lot of attention to win their trust, as they haven't been handled much/at all. Now I'm about ready to maybe adopt another bird that someone's decided they don't want anymore, who's in need of just as much attention and training!

Hubby thinks I'm losing my mind, but I'm thinking I'd like to give her a chance -- even if I just keep her long enough to tame & train and then sell -- if I don't grow too attached to her!!! Am I getting in over my head? And will these birds be compatible (play well together) if we end up building that aviary we're planning for the cockatiels? I've got NO experience with Quakers. I cross-posted this in the Quaker chat.

Advice, suggestions anyone?

Quakers are quite different from tiels. My sister has a male quaker and they have a much bolder personality----not really sure how tiels and a quaker would get along but my guess is they probably won't. I've seen my sisters quaker, and I would never get one with tiels. Hers seems very muscular, rough and tough and agressive personality. See what paca has to say on this one, she has a quaker. I don't know, every bird is different, so they may not all be like my sisters, but hers has a strong bigger beak than a tiel and I think could do some serious damage with one bite!

Whether or not you can handle another bird is really up to you...

As for whether or not the quaker will get along with your cockatiels... hard to say really. I know of someone who has an aviary of cockatiels (bout 10), plus two princess parrots, and a quaker. The tiels easily get out of the quakers way, and the princess parrots just ignore the quaker... However at that, quakers are bigger (bone wise, not necessarily so weight wise) thus they could potentially hurt a cockatiel....

Quakers do have a much more demading personality as well, and they are very LOUD when they want to express themselves. I have no doubts that the quaker could hurt the tiels if it wanted to so any playtime in the same area would need constant supervision for sure.

Quakers are not legal here in my state as pets. But I had one when my son was about 4 years old and I lived in a state where they were legal. It was an only bird, and still could not get enough attention from me. It spent all day out of the cage unless I went somewhere. They can bite really hard with that sharp beak too.

I have both (and then some) and the quaker is too aggressive to be left alone with any other breed. Don't house any bird with the tiels except maybe keets.

you know just because your tiels and a quaker may not like each other much, as long as they are supervised and not housed together, you can still get that quaker. Yes, they have a bold little personality! but they are cute and my sister just loves hers. They also are known to talk most of the time-----her's talks, he says----what are ya doin?? and a couple other things, and also mimmicks people laughing. Quakers are great little birds! but their personality is just not what I really want in a bird. I like tiels, but someday I want to get a pionus----they are known for their gentle, quiet and laid back nature, and are not very demanding.
Where is paca??? she has tiels and she has a quaker

To be honest, I don't even suggest housing cockatiels and budgies together! Budgies are just way too hyper and boysterious for the more passive cockatiel! Sure, they can learn to live together, but on a whole, generally speaking, they don't do well together!

The ONLY birds I might suggest housing with cockatiels would be grass parakeets, the types known for being a bit more passive such as bourkes! Or maybe princess parrots! Or kings parrots although I haven't really heard much about their personalities... otherwise though I don't suggest housing another species of parrot with a cockatiel.

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions! I've learned that Quakers can be rather demanding of time and thrive on lots of attention. Which would be fine with me if I were home 24/7 -- I'd love to spend the time with Murphy if I had it. But I don't feel I've got enough hours in a day to give to this bird, who's already been neglected far too much in the past year or so. So I'm searching instead for someone who will be able to devote unlimited time and love, while I continue to enjoy and work with my own cockatiels in the time I have.

It's really hard for me to say "no" to a bird in need, as it's my nature to want to take in every stray and any animal in need. But I'm trying to be realistic and think of what's really best for the bird.