How to Adopt a Quaker Parrot (Monk Parakeet) in the United States

Pet for Adoption6 min read

A rescue volunteer showing a monk parakeet to a family

To adopt a Quaker parrot in the United States, first confirm that monk parakeets are legal where you live, then apply to a parrot rescue or a shelter that places birds in your area and expect an application, a home check and an adoption fee, typically $50 to $300. Phoenix Landing, a parrot rescue, for example, lists $300 for quakers.

An adopted Quaker is usually an adult whose voice, vocabulary and habits are already known. With a lifespan of 20 to 30 years (VCA Animal Hospitals), it may still have decades ahead of it.

Key points

Check your state first: California, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Kansas and Tennessee ban Quakers or allow them only by permit or in zoos, so you cannot simply adopt one there.
Georgia bars bringing a Quaker in from another state without a special permit; Virginia needs a permit unless the bird is captive-bred with a seamless closed band.
The Vet Desk gives a typical adoption range of $50 to $300; Phoenix Landing lists $300 for quakers and Foster Parrots charges a $200 placement fee.
Expect an application, a care class, a home visit and sometimes a foster period before the adoption is final.
Escape-proof your home and never release the bird: feral Quakers nest on power equipment.

Can you adopt a Quaker parrot in your state?

Most parrots can be adopted anywhere, but monk parakeets are an exception, because several states treat them as invasive. Examples read in the state codes:

Banned or permit-only: Pennsylvania (unlawful to import, possess, sell or release), Kentucky (no importing or possessing), Kansas (no importing, keeping or releasing without a state permit), California (restricted; a state permit is needed to keep one) and Tennessee (Class V, held only in zoos).
Entry by permit: Georgia bars bringing a Quaker into the state without a special permit from the State Veterinarian's Office.
Band or permit: Virginia requires a permit unless the bird is captive-bred and closed-banded with a seamless band, so ask whether the rescue's bird has one.

In a state that bans possession, a Quaker is unlawful to keep whether it comes from a rescue, a shelter or a free listing. Other states have rules too, and VCA notes that some require a permit, so ask your state wildlife or agriculture agency before you apply.

Why adopt a Quaker instead of buying a chick?

You know what you are getting: VCA says Quakers are known for their ability to talk, but no chick comes with a guaranteed vocabulary. An adult's speech, noise level and habits can be heard before you commit.
Lower cost: The Vet Desk gives breeder prices of $250 to $900, against $50 to $300 to adopt.
A second chance: VCA notes that Quakers often bond closely with one person, so a bird that has lost its person may need a patient new one.
Long life: with 20 to 30 years to live, many Quakers outlive their first home.

Be honest with yourself about noise and chewing. PetMD calls Quakers a bit louder than budgies, and the Merck Veterinary Manual says they are known for chewing.

Where can you find Quaker parrots for adoption?

Parrot rescues: Phoenix Landing serves Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, North Carolina and Jacksonville, Florida, and places birds through foster homes. Foster Parrots, a Rhode Island sanctuary, places some birds with guardians in New England.
Animal shelters that take in birds, and directories such as Petfinder and Adopt a Pet, which list adoptable birds by location.
Owners and rescues advertising directly: you can browse Quaker parrots for adoption on PetzLover and save a search to get alerts when a new one is listed.

Rescues usually place birds only in their own region, so start near home and ask whether they keep a waiting list for Quakers.

How does Quaker parrot adoption work, and what does it cost?

Every rescue differs, but Phoenix Landing's process is a good guide and takes at least a month:

Fill in an application about your home, experience and the bird you hope for.
Take a free core parrot care class.
Have a home visit and interview with a volunteer, in person or by video.
Work with a coordinator to choose a bird; say honestly how much noise and chewing you can live with.
Foster the bird for about two months.
Sign the adoption agreement and pay the fee.

Typical costs of adopting a Quaker parrot (The Vet Desk, January 2026, unless named)
Item	Typical cost
Adoption fee	$50 to $300; Phoenix Landing $300; Foster Parrots $200 placement fee
Cage, perches, toys and dishes	$300 to $1,000, unless the bird comes with them
Avian vet visit	Most cost $30 to $100, before tests
Ongoing care	$130 to $200 a month

Expect the contract to ask you to return the bird to the rescue if you cannot keep it; Foster Parrots, for example, requires placed birds to come back.

How do you prepare your home for an adopted Quaker?

Cage: at least 2 feet by 2 feet by 3 feet long (VCA), with room for toys.
Chewing and nesting: the World Parrot Trust suggests nest-building materials as enrichment, so offer safe twigs, paper and wood toys to shred.
Diet: VCA warns that Quakers fed mainly seed are prone to obesity, liver disease and atherosclerosis; ask your avian vet how to move the bird onto a better diet slowly.
Escape-proofing: screens on windows, a closed door before the cage opens, and no outdoor time unless the bird is in a secure carrier or enclosure.

What are the first weeks with an adopted Quaker like?

An adopted monk parakeet in a large cage with toys and perches

VCA advises an exam by an avian veterinarian for every new bird; the Association of Avian Veterinarians has a Find-a-Vet search. Keep the Quaker away from your other birds until it is cleared. The CDC warns that birds can carry psittacosis without looking sick.

Keep the rescue's diet and routine at first, and change one thing at a time.
Let the bird set the pace of handling; a Quaker bonded to one person may take time to trust another.
Talk to it calmly and often while it settles.
Stay in touch with the rescue and ask for help early if it screams, bites or plucks.

If you live where Quakers are legal and would rather buy a chick, read how to buy a Quaker parrot legally; breeders who follow how to sell Quaker parrots legally will ask about your state. Owners and rescues placing a bird follow how to list a Quaker parrot for adoption, so expect careful questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I adopt a Quaker parrot in California or Pennsylvania?

Not as an ordinary pet. California makes it unlawful to keep a monk parakeet without a state permit, and Pennsylvania makes it unlawful to possess one. Ask the state wildlife agency if you already care for a Quaker there.

How much does it cost to adopt a Quaker parrot?

The Vet Desk gives a typical range of $50 to $300. Phoenix Landing lists $300 for quakers, and Foster Parrots charges a $200 placement fee. Add a cage and supplies if the bird does not come with them.

Will an adopted Quaker parrot talk?

Many do: VCA says Quakers are known for their ability to talk, and PetMD says they can learn 50 or more words and phrases. An adult's vocabulary is already known, though a bird in a new home may need time to relax.

How long does Quaker parrot adoption take?

At Phoenix Landing it takes at least a month from application, and adoptions start with a foster period of about two months. Other rescues are faster or slower.

Can I adopt a Quaker parrot from another state?

Only if Quakers are legal in your state, and many rescues place birds only in their own region. Georgia, for example, bars bringing a Quaker in without a special permit from the State Veterinarian's Office.

What should I do if an adopted Quaker does not work out?

Contact the rescue first; most contracts ask you to return the bird. Never release a Quaker outdoors, which is illegal in states such as Pennsylvania and Kansas.