Quakers in the Chicagoland Area

Background
The Quaker parakeet (also known as the monk parakeet) is a species native to Latin American countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia. Since the 1970s, a colony of Quaker parakeets has taken up residence in the south-side Chicago neighborhood of Hyde Park. Colonies of feral Quaker parakeets have been reported in as many as 15 states, but what makes the Chicago population unique is the fact that this South American species could adapt to and survive the harsh elements of a Windy City winter.

Quakers are unique among parrots in their construction of large, elaborate, free-standing communal nests, built largely from twigs and vines. Tragically, they like to build these nests on electrical poles, especially ones that contain transformers that generate heat. Because this poses a fire hazard and could incur power outages (in 1996 a Quaker nest on an electrical pole did indeed start such a fire), the utility company must routinely remove the nests. This leaves the young in a hopeless situation, abandoned and trapped in discarded nests, too young to care for themselves.

The Greater Chicago Cage Bird Club has stepped in to help resolve this problem. Referring agencies inform our Quaker Rescue Committee when they need to remove a nest. The Quaker Rescue Committee sends a member of the program to accompany the referring agency when they go to take down the nests. The displaced baby Quakers are placed into our Quaker Rescue Program. Qualified handfeeders are chosen to care for the birds until they have become independent and are ready for a permanent home. GCCBC members and non-members may apply for ownership of these young birds. A significant discount is offered to GCCBC members.

The Greater Chicago Cage Bird Club has established guidelines for the rescue, care, and permanent assignment of these young Quakers. The complete guidelines can be found here: Quaker Rescue Program Guidelines.

If you would like to apply for ownership of a rescued Quaker, please fill out the Ownership Application and send it to the Quaker Rescue Committee. Alternatively, you can print the form and fill it out by hand: Ownership Application (PDF).

Members who would like to fill out a CAREGIVER APPLICATION may request a form from the Quaker Rescue Committee.

For more information, contact the Quaker Rescue Committee at QRC@gccbc.org.

Baby Quaker Parakeets in various stages of development, rescued from a nest taken down in the Hyde Park community.

return to top