5 comments about African Grey Parrots: Everthing About History, Care, Nutrition, Handling, and Behavior (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. It is a great book, answering everything an owner has to know for an African Grey parrot.



2. I recently read Maggie's book and was very delighted with it. I have never owned a bird, but have always been fascinated by them. This book really put some things in perspective for a complete novice on the nature of these birds. I think it is a very good guide for those of us who know absolutely nothing about them but would like to. Maggie was recently a guest on our online radio show and it was wonderful to hear her birds talking in the background as we spoke and listen to her share her complete love of and admiration for these wonderful birds.
   
   This book has beautiful photography to go along with Maggie's simple to understand and implement writing in this book and I highly recommend it.



3. This little book is packed with information about how to care for, and be a good companion to, the incredibly intelligent African Grey parrot. It's a very good how-to with lots of advice and information - and more importantly, for those considering bringing one of these amazing birds into their families, it provides a good synopsis about the nature of the lifetime commitment that comes with that decision.
   
   So please - if you're a new Grey owner, or just thinking about buying one, pick up this book. You'll be glad you did.



4. Amazon is a very Good service .. no waiting around ;)
   an this book ha ha was very Nice only problem was so Nice I Ordered it twice an sent a copy to Mother as We both have African Grey Parrots an She said Richard
   .. thats the Book I already sent to You
   so Yes very Nice Book !



5. Book give us all knowledge to start take care of african grey parrots.
   
   Very good Book

5 comments about Cockatiels for Dummies.

1. Terrific info for a new Cockatiel owner-I knew nothing, so of course the title is appropriate, and it's been quite helpful. Thanks for another one, Dummies!



2. REALLY enjoyed this book. Good for beginners and vets. Learned things even after owning birds for 10 years.



3. When I received two cockatiels from a rescue organization, my vet suggested I read this book. In a couple months, I was able to train my foster birds so that both were adopted. Very helpful.



4. This book has pretty much all the information you'll ever need to know about owning a cockatiel. It has some great tips, and essentials that any owner would need to know. I would recommend it to anyone thinking about getting a new cockatiel, or to anyone that just acquired a new cockatiel and needs to know the basics.



5. There couldn't be a better person to simplify cockatiel ownership into a "For Dummies" book than Diane Grindol. She is the author of "The Complete Book of Cockatiels," which you will want to get to complete your education if this one whets your appetite. The book is organized in an especially helpful way, listing first the joys of cockatiel ownership, then the hazards and diseases, then finishing up with a summary of do's and don'ts. In the process, you'll learn the not-so-obvious differences between males and females, the importance of diet, the gauntlet of avian diseases, setting up the cage, travel, grooming...in short, everything you'll need to know. When you reach the end of this informative and readable book, you will never view a cockatiel the same again. You will see complexity, fragility, intellect, and camaraderie, where before you saw only ornate plumage. If you read this book in preparation for cockatiel ownership, your new friend will find hundreds of ways to thank you.

5 comments about Guide to Companion Parrot Behavior.

1. This book is well written and extremely informative. A must have for any parrot owner. It is one of those books you can read and then re-read and learn something new each time. It's great as a reference book.
   
   The techniques it suggests are simple and logical and can be applied to any species. It also would be a great book to read to help you choose which type of parrot would be best for your personal circumstances, especially if you are thinking about getting one of the larger parrots.



2. I agree with all of the other raving reviews on this book. The book is well organized, the parrots are organized by continent (Africa, Austrailia, Asia, and S. America) and the author draws similarities between the types of birds from each area. As the title would suggest this book focuses on behavior and gives well defined characteristics of each type of bird, while emphasizing that they are generalizations and that each bird might be different. The author reiterates that the owner should not buy a bird with preconcieved ideas of what they will be like, but love each bird for thier individual personality. All over excellent information and the author is clearly an expert in the area.



3. Together with the other parrot-thematic books from the same author it is the hardware of information I have used. I have an african grey for three years now and at the beginning I made a search for every available information about the topic.
   
   So it happens that this books I liked most as they are easy to understand, easy to read and enjoyable illustrated.
   
   African Grey is a parrot which needs time and you have to keep in mind that he may outlive you by years. So what you teach him now will be remembered in 60years when your children will keep him a company.
   It is a responsibility but a nice one:)
   
   Yes, I can recommend to you.



4. For the person interested in different species of pet birds,their care and personalities, this book offers a generic overview. As an experienced bird "person" I was looking for a more in-depth description of a specfic species. I almost put it down without finishing until I paged to the individual stories of the different parrots. I enjoyed reading the stories of the different birds, their experiences, histories and especially how the newer owners understood and created a more fulfilling environment (love,care and concern)for them. I learned new methods of dealing with birds and appreciate any new method for understanding bird behavior. I would recommend this book for the beginner/intermediate bird lover but for the very experienced bird lover, they would do better to find a publication that discribes just one species. However, they would miss the wonderful stories in this book!



5. This book really gives you a good introduction to the various kinds of parrots that are available. It describes their habits and tendencies so that it makes it easier to choose a new parrot or understand your current friend.
   
   I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for their first parrot or for an addition to their family.

5 comments about Audubon's Birds Of America (The Audubon Society Baby Elephant Folio).

1. I bought this book as a gift for my parents, who are elderly and who enjoy watching birds and looking at pictures of birds.
   
   But when I later went to visit them I got an unpleasant surprise: this book is HUGE. Ridiculously huge.
   
   It's the biggest book I've ever seen. It's about the size of a computer tower laid on its side. Bigger than any unabridged dictionary.
   
   As a result my parents never use it: it's simply too heavy for them to lift. I'm not joking around here. They're afraid of getting a hernia or hurting their back if they lift it.
   
   So it just sits on the shelf gathering dust.
   
   Actually, not on the shelf, since this book won't fit on any normal bookshelf. So they just stand it on the floor.
   
   If you buy this, make sure the person you're getting it for is in excellent shape.
   
   You've been warned.



2. This "baby elephant folio" is indeed a tiny but complete book of Audubon's "Birds of America." It is a perfect edition to give as a gift to friends and family who are Audubon aficionados. It is great quality and the price can't be beat; I purchased several.



3. Having recently read the biography of Audubon, I was very interested in seeing the actual drawings. The book I read had a few of them in black and white, but I wanted to see a larger sample in color. I decided to see if Amazon had anything and was very surprised to see that they offered all of the original drawings in color for a very small price. I realized the book would be smaller than the original life size drawings, but was a little surprised to find that the book was so small. That is my main problem with the book. Otherwise - WOW. To see these birds in all their glory in full color is just breathtaking. Furthermore, when you consider the original size, to have shrunk them down and still maintain the detail and the beauty is quite impressive. One can appreciate the drawings without having read about Audobon's struggle to create and then publish them, but I would suggest this book as a companion to a good biography of Audobon. Once you have both, his accomplishment can be fully appreciated.



4. This book is spectacular. The images are breathtaking, and the quality of their presentation is nothing short of superb. Wow!!!



5. Let me qualify my remarks by first saying that I have not even seen this version. I have no doubt that the printing is of the highest quality, but I have a serious reservation about the organization of this book. Audubon deliberately mixed his birds in a non-taxonomic order to maintain a freshness and an element of suprise. I recently acquired a large format copy published by Welcome Rain, which follows Audubon's original order. The effect is a delightful romp through nature, full of suprises, drama and movement. He never intended it to be a catalog with all his ducks in a row, it was to be an experience. I have seen an abridged, small format edition of his paintings arranged in the standard, dull taxonomic order of a typical field guide and the effect is nothing like seeing them in the order Audubon intended. Rearranging the plates for convenience of listers diminishes this work, and to a certain extent, is a disservice to the artist. While I am happy to see that his work remains in print and is being reproduced at very high standards, I would hope that it would be viewed as a symphony, not as a random collection of notes needing to be organized alphabetically.

5 comments about The Healthy Bird Cookbook: A Lifesaving Nutritional Guide and Recipe Collection.

1. This book taught me a lot about bird nutrition. I own three different parrots with three different nutritional needs and this book described each and helped me pick those recipes that will take care of them. I learned which fruits and veggies have the proper vitamins needed for each.
   
   I have tried several recipes at the time of this review and they did not fail to please at least one of my birds. I plan on trying many more and then I plan on foing back and altering some of the others to please the tastes of my clan.
   
   This book is a must if you want your bird to have a great and healthy life.



2. We raise and sell parrots and every baby goes home with this book. I think it is a wonderful book and very educational with lots of great recipes. I have had the opportunity to meet Robin and she is a great lady that has done a wonderful thing with this book! Thanks Robin!!! From the birdies at Jolley Feathers.



3. My Senegal has enjoyed the foods made from this book. I feel I'm finally giving him the nutrition he needs to stay healthy.
   We've been having problems with feather picking and when we ruled out exercise, toys, humidity and attention deficits one of the last things we could attribute it to was diet. Since I've started to make him varied foods from this book I've noticed a distinct change in his attitude and energy level...he just seems happier. Guess I would be too if I didn't have to eat the same thing everyday.
   
   Anyway, thanks to the author for thinking these recipes up.



4. I thought this was going to be a good recipe book but it is actually one of the best recipe books I have ever owned. It is a must have for anyone that owns birds and would like to provide them with a healthy varied diet.
   I am extremely happy with this book. I highly recommend it.



5. EASY RECEPIES .... GREAT IDEAS !! YOUR BIRDS WILL THANK YOU !!

5 comments about The Second-Hand Parrot.

1. I run a second hand parrot rescue and I must say this book is really on the ball. So many times people don't really know WHY is my bird acting like that, Does this bird hate me etc. This book lends knowledge to the behavior and how to handle a rehomed bird. I recommend this book to anyone considering a pet bird, especially a rehomed one.



2. This was a very helpful book for my husband and me as we had just adopted a second-hand parrot and we had not idea what we were doing. This book was recommended by our Veterinarian and we really rely on it. Thank you so much for all the info.



3. If you're adopting an older parrot, much of the information in breed specific manuals will not be relevant for you, since it pertains to hand fed babies. This book contains information that is specific to parrots that have lost their home for one reason or another. Much of the information is recycled from Mattie Sue's previous books on parrot behavior, so if you've read them and commited them to memory, you might not need to add this one. If, however, you are not an expert on parrots, but simply want to open your heart and home to one of these wonderful creatures, this book will help make the transition smoother for both of you. It will also alert you to potential problems. There is also new information about integrating a new parrot into an existing flock. Personally, I think this book should go home with every bird adopted from a rescue organization.



4. In THE SECOND-HAND PARROT, Mattie Sue Athan makes a good case for taking on a previously owned parrot as a feathered adoptee. While it is true some adoptees are less than civil, Athan has shown through her own experiences that there may be a diamond in the rough underneath those bristling feathers. (Mattie Sue Athan's experiences with her two adopted Grey Parrots, Bongo I and Bongo II are documented on her web site).
   
   Many pet birds are passed on by owners who are dead, too old, too sick, or move to less accommodating quarters. Many of these older birds need only a short period of getting to know you and TLC to become your best buddy. I've become a believer. Having adopted two Cockatiels two years ago who had terrorized everyone at the animal shelter and had them become two big sweeties I know what a little TLC can do. The sweetest bird I own, however, is a "hand-me-down Conure" with two previous owners. My Conure is also the biggest bird I own and the least nippy. Every morning he says "Give me a kiss" which I happily do with a "Thank-you" as my reward. "Used" birds frequently can talk and have learned cute tricks.
   
   Athan offers all sorts of tips on how to get your birds to comply with various challenges you might offer such as bathing, destroying toys instead of your books, and kissing not nipping when you offer your cheek or stick your hand in their cage. In her section on "The Corrective Environment" she shows how many of the tics the new-old bird learned were brought on by cramped, boring, and/or dirty quarters. It is amazing what a little space and a new toy will do to improve an outlook.



5. Please don't let the title convince you this book is only for people with "re-homed" parrots! It also offers valuable information for AVOIDING losing your companion, and what to do if you find a lost companion parrot. Parrots are lost not just to "fly-aways", but to changing life circumstances in their human flock. This book provides practical tips to help keep the parrot in its home even during times of shifting family responsibilities. Then, of course, it also provides important advice for building trust in the "re-homed" parrot. I HAVE HAD A HARD TIME TRACKING THIS BOOK DOWN IN BOOKSTORES, so I am pleased to find it readily available on Amazon.

5 comments about Parrot-Toys and Play Areas : How To Put Some Fun Into Your Parrot's Life.

1. I really liked this book. It has great ideas on how to keep you birds busy!
   I have tried many of the ideas and my four birds LOVED them.
   I shared the book with my sister and she is planning on ordering one.
   Thanks!
   Char



2. If your a beginner to toys and playareas this will be hard to go by; there are NO pictures.



3. This book categorises parrot personalities and describes 11 types of toys that will suit their individual traits. It then offers ideas for safely making these toys.
   
   My birds seem to be so much happier having a variety of toys that are designed specifically for their needs.
   
   My only gripe is the book provides diagrams for making bird gyms etc, but doesn't give any pictures or diagrams for the home-made toys.



4. This is a great little book that is well wriiten and fast paced. I really breaks down the types of toys by category and then makes recommendations at a minimum that each parrot should have. They make recommendations whether the toys are homemade or store bought. This book has alot of great ideas for makng very inexpensive but usable toys. I took their recommendations, made a trip to the craft store and made six toys in an afternoon! I saved alot more that the cost of the book in one day. I highly recommend this book!



5. Well worth the money!! I created a $400.00 play gym for my Macaw with the plans from this book. It took $50 in materials and one day. This book really is awesome for those of us who want the best for our birds and don't have alot of money.

5 comments about Parrots For Dummies (For Dummies (Pets)).

1. I found Parrots For Dummies to be an excellent resource. It's a larger book than most, well put together and well organized - full of useful inoformation on all aspects of keeping parrots.
   I was very pleased to find that it discusses the pros and cons of wing clipping to help an owner to decide what is best for their bird. So far, it is the only parrot book I have seen to do a good job of that.



2. Being a first time parrot owner I have referred to this book countless times. I have a male Eclectus parrot who is now nearly a year old and I attribute part of his good health and safety to this book's wisdom. Written in a clear and concise (and sometimes very funny) fashion, it has answered 90% of the questions I have had regarding feeding; bathing; problem solving; what to and NOT to worry about with my parrot. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!



3. This is a well done book. (As all of the "dummie" books have been for me so far. Whats great is you can use the same knowledge for other bird types. i would highly consider this if your a new parrot owner. A 5!



4. I have many of the DUMMIE books and this is probably my favorite. I have many pets including birds for many years and still learned quite a bit from this book.



5. This book is helping me to understand birds. Long ago when I had parakeets, there wasn't much written at all and well, the internet just didn't exist. This book has been a tremendous help to me, understanding the whys and whats of keeping a companion bird! I love my FIDS!

5 comments about The Parrot Problem Solver.

1. Very useful book. Good information on dealing with problems, plus background information on animal and parrot behavior.



2. The Parrot Problem Solver
   My sweet lovable Goffin had turned into a biting, cantankerous monster. I could not, for the life of me, figure out what I had done wrong or why he had learned to hate me so much. After reading this book I was relieved to find out that he didn't hate me. He was just trying to communicate something I couldn't understand. After reading this book and putting the suggestions into place (It took only one week, by the way), we are now back on speaking terms. Barbara Heidenreich has saved our relationship!



3. I know Ms. Heidenreich personally and worked with her for years. As I believe parrots to be the most misunderstood of all pets it is always a touchy subject to discuss parrot behavior with parrot owners. Barb is one of the few "parrot experts" I have ever met after 13+ years in the zoo animal training field. I highly recommend anything written or offered by her. Good luck!



4. Barbara provided great insight into parrots and why they do what they do. She uses reeal world examples from Parrots and many other animals that she has experience with. This book breaks down the different types of aggression and signs to look for. I wish I had ordered "Good Bird! A guide to solving problems in companion parrots" at the same time as they are complimentary as I understand it. It will arrive this week. One other thing, the book has a ton of great photos as well! You won't be disappointed with this book.



5. Excellent reference for owners of large parrots. This book will explain why your bird does what it does. It is absolutely the best book I have purchased so far concerning the behavior of my macaw. It takes the mystery out of your birds aggressive behaviors. It explains your bird's natural daily routines. I found it most enlightening. Once you understand how parrots behave in the wild, your bird's behaviors will make a whole lot more sense to you, and that truly helps you provide the best for your companion. This book is a real jewel for owners of large parrots and I think it should be required reading for all who own one. Well written and highly informative, it is by far the best book that I have found on parrot behavior to date. It will really help you understand your bird.

5 comments about African Grey Parrot Handbook, The (Barron's Pet Handbooks).

1. very informative. a grey is a very emotional bird, I did not know this. There is alot of things you really need to know before purchasing a grey and this book is a source of the best information of many of books i have read. Mattie sue has been in the business for years and knows the ins and outs of an african grey. a good read.



2. The book is good. It has detailed information as well as stories that encourage the reader and Grey owner to 'do whats right' with their grey. I did not like how you had to jump back and forth through the book to cover one topic. If you can deal with jumping pages and chapters (at times) then no worries. This book is very thorough and will help both the novice and give great reminders for the breeder.



3. Although this book has the potential to be useful, it is let down by a number of faults. Firstly, the authors do not explain a number of key terms that they use frequently throughout the books - for example, "Step Ups". The book never describes how exactly to perform this exercise with your bird, despite referencing it frequently as important in its own right, and as a solution to behavioral problems.
   
   Linked to this problem, the glossary is nigh on appalling, with such definitions given as (using step-ups as an example again): "Step-up: practice of giving the step-up command with the expectation that the bird will perform the behavior." This tells you nothing of what step-ups actually are!
   
   Other problems include references in the text to other sections which don't exist, or references to items, on the same page, which don't appear at all on the page, or on any adjourning pages.
   
   I also found the authors' style of writing annoying at best, jumping frequently from overly colloquial to overly "scientistic". I use scientistic in the context that it seems the author is attempting to sound scientific, without actually pulling it off - instead, it comes off as cumbersome and pretentious.
   
   I don't have another book to recommend as an alternative, but if you are considering buying this book, please consider these faults before you buy and are possibly disappointed!



4. Together with the other parrot-thematic books from the same author it is the hardware of information I have used. I have an african grey for three years now and at the beginning I made a search for every available information about the topic.
   
   So it happens that this books I liked most as they are easy to understand, easy to read and enjoyable illustrated.
   
   African Grey is a parrot which needs time and you have to keep in mind that he may outlive you by years. So what you teach him now will be remembered in 60years when your children will keep him a company.
   It is a responsibility but a nice one:)
   
   Yes, I can recommend to you.



5. Has general good informations, but not sure about some of the writes point of view...