My Quaker parrot is afraid of everything new
Literally everything. New toy? Terrified. New perch? Hides in corner. Even wore a new hat and they had a meltdown. Is this normal sun conure behavior or is my bird extra anxious?
First, just a quick clarification—sounds like you have a Quaker parrot (also called a monk parakeet), not a sun conure! But to answer your question: yes, this is actually very typical Quaker behavior. Quakers are famously neophobic, meaning they often view anything new—toys, perches, furniture, even your new hat—as potential threats until proven otherwise. It’s part of their cautious, territorial nature, and while it can be frustrating, it doesn’t mean your bird is broken or unusually anxious.
The key with Quakers is gradual introduction. Instead of putting a new toy directly in the cage, try leaving it across the room for a few days, then slowly moving it closer while offering treats nearby. Let them investigate on their own terms—curiosity usually wins over fear if there’s no pressure. Wearing that new hat? Maybe hang it near the cage first, then wear it for short periods while doing calm, positive activities like reading or offering millet.
This is also why many Quaker owners find that maintaining consistent routines (and familiar setups when they travel) really helps their birds feel secure. If
Dealt with this for months. What finally worked was changing their sleep schedule and just being really patient. They come around eventually.
Dealt with this for months. What finally worked was changing the food brand and just being really patient. They come around eventually.
Have you noticed any other changes? When my lovebird did this they were also sitting at the bottom of the cage.
My Amazon parrot did this too! Turned out it was because of boredom from lack of enrichment and mental stimulation. Once I addressed that, everything went back to normal.
A friend who's had birds for 20 years told me to try covering the cage partially at night for 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep. I was skeptical but it actually worked.