Zoe (pronounced like "joey" but with a "z") is a quaker parakeet. We got her on July 5, 1996. She was six weeks old and still being hand fed. Zoe is very loud. Do not get a quaker if you dislike LOUD noise.
Zoe is very talkative. Once I went in to give the birds some vegies (it was in the evening) and she said "Ready to go to bed?" I think she actually knew what she was saying. She gets very grumpy when it rains. And a grumpy quaker is not exactly easy on the ears! She also calls Becky (Here, kitty, kitty, kitty!), says "Bark, bark" when Robin barks (She actually says the words, not makes the sound of barking.), asks for a kiss, and tells herself she's bad when she screeches. She will whisper "Can you whisper?" and never tires of telling everyone what a good/pretty bird she is. When any of us humans are talking, she has to get in her two cents worth by saying "anyway" and "O.K." When I brought Keira home and took her into the room where the birds (and my computer) are, Zoe looked at her for a minute, then looked at me, and said "Bark, bark?" It was like she was asking if that tiny, little thing was really a dog.
- Some words and phrases Zoe has said:
- Step up
- Ouch! That hurts! 3/26/98
- Robin
- Com'ere (a contraction of "come here")
- Come here
- Right now
- Zoe
- Quaker
- Stop that
- You're a bad bird
- You're a pretty bird
- Gimme a kiss
- Cock a doodle (sometimes it's cock a doodle doo)
- Good boy
- Peep eye
- Good morning
- Nighty night
- Pretty good
- Bark bark 7/1
- What a good birdie
- Can you whisper?
- Here, kitty, kitty, kitty
- Meow
- Anyway
- OK
Zoe also has 2 little songs that she can sing. She knows all but one or two lines.
I'm a Little Quaker (to the tune of "I'm a Little Tea Pot")
I'm a little Quaker, short and stout.
Open up my cage and let me out!
Better pick me up before I squawk.
Rub my tummy and then I'll talk.
Quaker Zoe (to the tune of "Yankee Doodle")
Quaker Zoe went to town, riding on my shoulder
Stuck her feathers in my ear, oh what a little joker!
Quaker Zoe keep it up, Quaker Zoe dandy.
Mind the music and the step and please don't bite my hand-y!
Guido
