Quaker Parrot Hates Everything!

by Danielle
(Tampa, FL)

I've had my Quaker, Esther, for 6 months now. She's about 2 years old (according to the family I purchased her from). They warned me she would "take time." In the 6 months she has lived with me, my conure, and two cats, she has become a tad more social, but she hates everything. She refuses to eat fruits or veggies and tosses all treats out of her bowl. She eats her pellets regularly and enjoys those treat sticks.

I had a large cage for her, but she literally stood in the same place all day, so I downgraded to a smaller cage. I leave the cage door open 24/7; I am gone about 10-12 hours a day, and she is always right where I left her (I could never leave my conure's door open). She lets me preen her and "pet" her, and she has never bitten me (unlike my crazy conure). She hates being on me though and will fly down in seconds (again, unlike my Velcro conure).

I have outdoor play areas for her that she goes on, but just sits in the same place for hours. She refuses to bathe, so I mist her, which I cannot tell if she enjoys or not. She doesn't exhibit anxious behavior such as feather plucking, so I am continually baffled by whether or not she hates her life with me or not. I have taught her to "step up," which she will only do on a stick, and "kisses," where she indifferently moves her beak to my mouth. Not to mention I've showered her with a perpetual variety of toys, all which she ignores.

She is occasionally vocal and will respond to me when I talk to her. She just hates everything. I'm not sure if I should be concerned, and what I should try next.