Parrot Parenting: The Essential Care and Training Guide to +20 Parrot Species (Birdtalk)

We had not had a bird for years and happened to get a Quaker Parrot. I got this book to refresh do, don’t and training and found it helpful.

I bought this book for my husband as a Christmas gift since he is considering getting a parrot. He has raved about how knowledgeable and thorough the author is and how well she explains the various topics - and he doesn't impress easily! He felt it is good information for people considering getting a parrot as well as people that already have one. It gives good descriptions of 20 of the most common parrots, to help in choosing which might be the best one for you given time commitment and temperament.

I got this book last week. It is overall an excellent introduction to parrots in general, with solid, in depth information on husbandry, diet and nutrition, behavior and training and all facets of life with a companion parrot. (I had a minor quibble with the information on life spans of various species.) It is well written and easy to read. I operate a birds-only boarding facility and will be recommending this book (along with those by Barbara Heidenreich and Rebecca O'Connor) to my clients. We have added it to our library as well as our educational resource list for our local parrot/companion bird organization. Highly recommended!

This book along with "The Well behaved parrot"offer very good information for living with beautiful feathered creatures. In this book the author gives profiles of different species of parrots and also gives some of the negative aspects on humans such as loud bird voices which are needed in the areas the parrots live when they are leading their lives in freedom along with a great deal of chewing and territorial behavior which occurs when the birds mature and start breeding behavior. Problems with birds who want to live a real life with flying, searching for food and a mate and making a nest and raising a family can be better understood if the human puts themselves into a position where they might be prevented from having a life and having to live in a prison!Because parrots are flock animals I don't think they should be left alone all day by owners who work etc and a cage full of toys does not make up for a lack of companionship. I quote,"If you're comfortable with your bird out of the cage" on page 146 mystifies me because why would anyone acquire a pet they don't feel comfortable with and if it is because the house is not parrot proof then it should be made friendly for birds, otherwise a bird should never be introduced into the house. Also the author says to say hi to the bird upon returning from work and saying bye bye upon leaving. Really? .. is this supposed to constitute companionship? How sad it is that some people still consider a caged bird basically an amusement to be put aside for most of the time. I know from decades of experience that parrots like to hang out with their companions (the European Union has that right, birds should be kept in flocks) and I also know that a well socialized and properly potty trained bird will fly to his basket to defecate and will not soil his human buddies.If you are in the process of choosing a parrot for a pet please reconsider the wisdom of this if you cannot offer it a rich and full life with companionship and happy times together, because the parrot rescue organizations in my area and probably in lots of areas are full of rejected birds who through neglect and being frustrated had become biters and screamers.

Really helped me expand my knowledge for the better! My bird is now a very happy camper and I am as well!

Lots of useful information

Best book I've read on the care of Parrots. Ihave owned birds for over 33 years.

Love this book!

The most complete guide for a parrot owner.From tiny budgies to huge macaws, I can say this book explains everything you need to know in order to take care of a bird.I love it!

This book along with "The Well behaved parrot"offer very good information for living with beautiful feathered creatures. In this book the author gives profiles of different species of parrots and also gives some of the negative aspects on humans such as loud bird voices which are needed in the areas the parrots live when they are leading their lives in freedom along with a great deal of chewing and territorial behavior which occurs when the birds mature and start breeding behavior. Problems with birds who want to live a real life with flying, searching for food and a mate and making a nest and raising a family can be better understood if the human puts themselves into a position where they might be prevented from having a life and having to live in a prison!Because parrots are flock animals I don't think they should be left alone all day by owners who work etc and a cage full of toys does not make up for a lack of companionship. I quote,"If you're comfortable with your bird out of the cage" on page 146 mystifies me because why would anyone acquire a pet they don't feel comfortable with and if it is because the house is not parrot proof then it should be made friendly for birds, otherwise a bird should never be introduced into the house. Also the author says to say hi to the bird upon returning from work and saying bye bye upon leaving. Really? .. is this supposed to constitute companionship? How sad it is that some people still consider a caged bird basically an amusement to be put aside for most of the time. I know from decades of experience that parrots like to hang out with their companions (the European Union has that right, birds should be kept in flocks) and I also know that a well socialized and properly potty trained bird will fly to his basket to defecate and will not soil his human buddies.If you are in the process of choosing a parrot for a pet please reconsider the wisdom of this if you cannot offer it a rich and full life with companionship and happy times together, because the parrot rescue organizations in my area and probably in lots of areas are full of rejected birds who through neglect and being frustrated had become biters and screamers.

Excellent book. Gives the detail that some other books haven't got.