Skittles "belongs" to my 12 yr. old daughter. After I got Kirby - she really wanted a slightly larger bird of her own. We researched several different species and had narrowed it down to the quaker and maybe something in the conure family. The more we read about Quakers - the more she was determined that was the bird for her! We had been told that there was a weaned quaker at a store not too far from us - so we went to take a look. When we got there they took her out for us and handed her to me. She immedietly jumped onto Emily and Emily was hooked. We spent some time with her there and of course brought her home. Emily does such a good job with her - they really have a bond. Skittles talks quite a bit and is always working on new words. She has recently started calling the cat (in emily's voice sometimes which can freak me out when emily is at school!) and she has mastered laughing and always seems to know the right time to do it! Skittles is a bit cage territorial, but once out (and with Emily) a complete sweetheart. Emily can flip her on her back and rub her tummy and tickle her toes. Her cage and the tiels' cage are in Emily's room (though we bring them out to the lving room every day). She actually gets along okay with the tiels and will even share a plate of food with them on top of their cage.

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Skittles and Emily are both beautiful!

How sweet! They are adorable together!

What a success story! They look like they are made for each other.

Nice story - it shows that kids can do an excellent job. I'm happy to hear that your Quaker fits in with the other birds so well. How old is Skittles now?

You didn't mention your other fids - the sig photos are wonderful - how do they handle the Quaker or are they kept separate at all times?

Thanks! Skittles is a little over 2 yrs. now. She has flown to the conures cages - Zoey pretty much chases her off. Depending on Kirby's mood - he'll let Skittles hang out in his area. She doesn't usually let him get too close. So if he starts coming towards her - she just flies off. All the birds do call back and forth to one another. Especially if the tiels and Skittles are still back in the bedroom. We're working on having everyone flighted. Having them flighted makes me feel like they're safer if they're all out together - because they can fly away if they need to. We still keep a very close watch of course! I'll try to get pics of the tiels and conures up later today.

A very touching story, Our young people are the future.
Thank you kindly for sharing the story and the photos.
Arty

Have to agree wholeheartedly here. Almost 4 years ago, I gave a Cockatiel baby (weaned) to a 10 year-old whose family could not really afford to buy her one. This young lady has done amazing things with this bird, and when she is home, they are inseparable. I speak with her from time to time, and the bird research she has done on her own is truly amazing. While I know it's been said many times, that birds are not necessarily good pets for children, with the right supervision and the right child, I cannot think of a more wonderful match.

thanks for sharing this wonderful story... they are incredibly cute together

Just gorgeous! There really is something special between a Quaker and their human slave! Chaska gets along OK with my other birds too unless I am giving too much attention with the others, she gets jealous. How does Skittles get along with your Conures? All my birds are flighted too.