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 Hand-Feeding and Raising Baby Birds: Breeding, Hand-Feeding, Care, and Management.

1. Matthew Vriends HAND-FEEDING AND RAISING BABY BIRDS is of some use to me although I prefer Gayle Souck's PARROT BREEDER'S ANSWER BOOK. Vriend's book is not nearly as comprehensive, he goes deep whereas Soucek goes broad. However, I appreciate the detailed sections on the selection, care and maintenance of incubators including photos of the various types of incubators as well as text describing air filtration systems (`still air' and ventilation), automatic egg turners versus doing it yourself, and temperature, light and humidity considerations. Interestingly, neither author cites the other even tho Barron's produced both books and they are somewhat complementary.
   
   As well as incubation, Vriends book covers feeding in great detail with numerous photos of very small chicks being hand fed. I like this book because I needed more in-depth information about actual feeding practices, including a discussion of the different nutritional needs of different birds who require formulas. Whether you are raising companion birds or you are an animal rehabilitator/rescuer you will probably find this book useful.



2. This book was OK. It talks about all pet birds, so it really only gives a little bit of information about each. If you are looking to know about handfeeding ONE certain kind of bird, then I would look for a different book. The pictures are very cute though.



3. If you have patience, you can get a good "overview" of handfeeding pet baby birds here..

   If not.. I suggest you go elsewhere.

   Dr.Vriends thoughts are disorganized, self-congratulatory, and all over the place. He could of used an intelligent editor here.

   Each chapter has information that is right out of the authors head-- instead of organizing laying of eggs, incubating, feeding, etc. in concise chapters. The chapters repeat lots of information. I found it very hard to follow-- trying to turn forward and back to other chapters with "sort of" the same topic.

   I respect Dr. Vriends expertise on most everything...but, the points on this book are not organized.

   What if you don't want to feed the baby birds when they first hatch? What if you want to socialize them while still letting the mom and dad feed? There are lots of places here where I left scratching my head-- and re-reading the convoluted syntax in this book asking "what is he trying to say here"?

   This book definately is written from the standpoint of out of the incubator, into the breeders hands...

   Dr. Vriends, you have more experience on this to share, don't you? Too professional a book...




4. It's a good book and easy to read, but it's more focussed on professional breeding than it is for people who just bought a bird and want more information about raising and hand-feeding. Even though it's good reading material.



5. This book takes the novice from the very beginning. It covers every aspect of handfeeding. Concise, easy to read, with great colour pictures. I would recommend this book to the beginning handfeeder as well as those who are experienced.

5 comments about Parrot Tricks: Teaching Parrots with Positive Reinforcement.

1. I was thrilled to receive this book as I just rescued an umbrella cockatoo and know absolutely NOTHING about birds. It is already helping me teach him new tricks. It is an excellent book. I am ecstatic with my purchase from this seller and will use them again in future.



2. Easy to follow book. I was able to get my caique to do some of the tricks.



3. Tani Robar has trained parrots for a long time.
   She has several parrot training videos available.
   
   But, her methods are somewhat "old school" and the book attempts to justify them by claiming that what many trainers would call positive reinforcement is a bunch of "hooey".
   
   The book says that clicker training is slower than her methods and that using a bridging marker is useless. Her methods include physical manipulation of the bird through movements that the bird will not like (at first?). Here is one quote:
   
   "Your bird may not like being touched in certain areas, but do so gently anyway." (page 21)
   
   That is not how chioce-based positive reinforcement works. Here are a few quotes from the section on clicker training:
   
   "It is an extra step that really slows down your training."
   
   "I have tested it and I know it slows you down."
   
   "No bridge is needed because no time gap exists between the correct action and the reward."
   
   "Clicker training enthusiasts like to say that the conventional way of using a praise word, in my case "good" or some form of it, makes that method the same as the clicker method, just substituting the click. It is not the same at all! My "good" or similar words of praise do not stop the action but merely tell the bird he is doing what I want."
   
   "True clicker trainers say that they prefer to add the cues after the trick is learned. Again, that is just adding an extra step."
   
   "A bridge signal to mark a correct response and to "fill in the gap" between a behavior and a reward is unimportant, which was illustrated when I attended a week long clicker training class given by Bob and Marion Bailey (prior to her death) at their chicken training camp in Arkansas. I found that it didn't make a bit of difference whether we clicked or not. Whether you clicked or not made absolutely no difference."
   
   That is what the book says. Tani Robar claims that scientific trainers such as Marion Breland Bailey and Karen Pryor don't know beans. Don't waste your money on this book - Read the books from my essential list, this isn't one of them. Read Melinda Johnson, Barbara Heidenreich, Karen Pryor, and Robin Deutsch.



4. This book is easy to understand and gives great step by step instructions for training. I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to train their parrot and deepen their relationship with their featherd friend.



5. Isn't for begginners. To try tricks that are in this book, your pet have to be well socialized already. Altought, the text is well organised and paragraphs are relatively shorts and clears. Examples are very interestings.

5 comments about Eclectus Parrots.

1. This book is very informative and covers most aspects of Eclectus Behavior and Care. I would definitely recommend this book to other purchasers.



2. I bought this book before getting my eclectus parrot and I found it to cover everything I can think of I could possibly want to know. Shows pictures of Eclectuses displaying different body languages and their explanations. Covers diets,differences between sub-species,covering a cage or not to cover and much more. Lots of pictures too.



3. Very using useful guide to help you take care of your eclectus bird. Nice pictures. Easy read. Sound advices.



4. This is a concise and helpful guide for all those who reside with an Eclectus parrot or hope to do so soon. Eclectus are unique in important ways other than being sexually dimorphic (males and females look different). They also do not do well on seed or pellet diets fed to many parrots. The book covers care of your bird, how to provide necessary intellectual stimulation with safe toys, information about common health problems and lots of other information critical to the well-being of your feathered friend.



5. I just received my copy of the book from the mail. My first impression was that it was quite thin. I was hoping for more information about breeding and aviary design, but the sections dealing with those topics were quite short. I was hoping to find a section wherein hybrids were thoroughly discussed and if a hybrid bird would have any deformities later on or if they would lead to infertile offspring.
   
   Also, I was hoping to find more detailed analysis, and photographic documentation (probably pictures of different races perching side by side for comparison) of the different races.
   
   Anyway, except for the above-mentioned items, I found the book quite useful specially for beginners like myself.

5 comments about Teaching Your Bird to Talk.

1. This book provides a wealth of information on birds but the title is a bit misleading. There is only one strong chapter on the "hows" of teaching a bird to talk with understanding rather than simple mimicry. The rest of the book details the funny things and the many things talking birds say(as reported by their owners), bird habits, nutrition, etc. I would have preferred a bit more in the tutorial section.



2. Teaching Your Bird to Talk
   An in-depth book that provides very useful information.



3. I am not quite finished with this book yet, but I am very pleased with the information and how it is presented in this book. I have read several other books on Parrots and this is by far the best one. There is more information than just teaching your bird to talk.
   I highly recomment this book to anyone who owns a parrot with the potential to talk!



4. I waited more than six months after I bought this book to try the techniques inside it before I wrote my review. Although I was using some methods mentioned inside the book but this book encouraged me to keep using them and also adds some amazing methods and ideas that were very helpful, useful and easy to imply. Simply, my old African Grey Parrot started to talk, and that was my fist experience in such thing and I really feel grateful to this book and to the efforts inside it. I am giving four stars since I feel some information are ideas need proves rather than facts. However, aiming to make your African talk, buy this book and be patient.



5. A wonderful reference and book guide for teaching a Quaker Parrot to talk.

5 comments about Newman's Birds of Southern Africa.

1. I've been using this guide in Southern Africa for the last 6 years, and it's never let me down. Great book for those traveling to the region, but keep in mind that most guides at the wildlife parks will already have a copy, so you could save the weight and space in your luggage.



2. Excellent book with very good graphics and organization. Just what is needed to confirm your observations or identify your sightings.



3. Have not actually been to southern Africa yet, but plan to do so next summer. I have been an avid birder for 3 decades, and it looks like the format of this book will be very useful for my trip.



4. this is the best bird guide for birds of the region. I have carefully looked over others on the market.



5. Now in a fully revised eighth edition, Newman's Birds Of Southern Africa is a field guide to 125 species of Southern African birds illustrated throughout with realistic full-color artwork. Each species has an entry with a map indicating their distribution, their common and scientific name, a brief paragraph with a basic physical description and notes on distinguishing characteristics, and a gorgeous, realistic color illustration. A revised introduction teaches the reader step-by-step how to use the guide to quickly identify avian species, and a glossary, index and birdwatching checklist round out this first-class resource. A treat for bird lovers due to the top-quality artistry alone, as well as being a quintessential identification guide, Newman's Birds Of Southern Africa is enthusiastically recommended for amateur birdwatchers and professional biologists alike.

5 comments about Clicker Training for Birds (Getting Started).

1. After nearly 14 years with my 14-year-old sun conure, I feel I recognize good behavioral advice. I have always disliked advice that relies on dominance, punishment, or keeping a bird low (they don't have a "top bird" instinct, but feel safer up high). This book tells you how to communicate and develop a trusting relationship with your bird, and that is a priceless thing.
   
   I would have liked a few more specific trick ideas, but I bought an additional clicker training book and registered with Melinda's online forum. So far my bird seems to enjoy the training time, even though I have a lot of learning to do!



2. There is not a better resource available for training companion parrots. This book is well-written, insightful, and informative. Parrots are intelligent and complex creatures. They learn so much from us, both good and bad. It is so easy to inadvertently teach a parrot unacceptable behaviors and they respond poorly to "traditional" training techniques. When these techniques don't work, the birds often find themselves neglected or re-homed. This book helps to teach the trainers to understand their birds and begin building a lasting companion relationship based on trust and positive reinforcement.



3. Melinda's book easily explains the theory behind clicker training and the how to in easy steps. Her book also covers how to use it when dealing with specific problems such as having a parrot stay on his cage. Our past history of training and dealing with animals was one of dominance and control. A realtionship built on that is one of fear and distrust. Training has come so far since then. Clicker training comes from operant conditioning. It is a behavioral science which gives the bird choices. The training uses positive behavioral strategies. Training a parrot this way to do tricks forms the basis for an enriching relationship for both the owner and parrot. Melinda also co-owns a great Yahoo group called Bird Click. It has wonderful files, members from all over the world and a great supportive group. I highly suggest both this wonderful book and the list for those who like the computer!
   Thank you Melinda for an outstanding contribution to the field...which makes our parrot's life and ours more rewarding!



4. I found this book to be a wonderful resource for people who want to clicker train their birds. It's more than a recipe book -- it's a behavior problem-solver. It goes into great detail to teach not only what to do, but why, so in the end you'll have the tools you need to continue past the specific behaviors listed in the book. I must admit -- I'm a bit flummoxed by the earlier review who didn't like that this book delves into theory and bird behavior and is more than a recipe book. I think that's what makes this such an awesome resource. People who have less-than-perfect birds now have a resource that will help them understand why their bird have the problems they do and then help them find solutions that are kind, fun, and incredibly reliable.



5. When you own an unruly bird, you want and need help quickly. If you want a book to effeciently teach you how to click train your bird, look elsewhere.
   If you want a book that goes in extreme depth into bird behaviorism, this is your mecca.
   There are 14 chapters and 156 pages. It doesn't even get to practical use of the clicker until the 8th chapter at page 77. I found myself thumbing thru it to find the "meat" of the book. A lot of fluff preceeds the actual useage of the clicker technique.
   This book will get the job done, but it is much like owning a car. (I'm sure if they read this, they will dissect my analogy of a DRIVING a car to training a bird) Unless you are a mechanic, you simply want to drive the car, not know exactly and precisely how spark plugs fire in synch and the timing chain turns, etc. It is extremely indepth into bird and human behaviorism and if you can stand to wade thru that, you can get info to help you teach a bird to simply step up and do more. But, unless you are a professional bird trainer, it is not always necessary to understand why of everything you do with your pet. Not to this degree, anyway.
   In addition, they direct you to a Yahoo group. Overall, except for Wendy Jefferies, http://www.wendyjef fries.com this group is about as helpful as the book. There is little one on one help as they have this collection of "files" they direct you to if you have a question. Instead, they spend time ananlyzing participant's motives and it is yet another lecture in behaviorism. Nothing much about training your bird, but more of a discussions about WHY you want to train your bird. After my first post there, they actually made a written test for me and I'll put it here because it sums up the book's motive:
   "Now, let's test you. :) Give me two examples of conditioned reinforcers and two examples of conditioned punishers we see commonly in the real world." huh? I want the bird to step on a perch..please tell me how.
   I am not training her to perform in Vegas or on Youtube.
   It's just another chat room with people examining your reason to want the bird to step up rather than helping you attain that goal.
   
   The book and forum, in combo, could help you if you are willing to be extremely patient and understanding with them....while you are being patient and understanding with your untrained bird. The two together are too frustrating.
   You need realistic evalution of your goals, step one, step two to get there. You need to be patient but also efficient in the process and not waste time in needless analytical endeavours.
   If you simply want to learn how to enjoy your pet...this is not the place.
   If you want to know WHY you want to enjoy it, then here is your bird behavioral buffet.

5 comments about Lovebird Handbook, The (Barron's Pet Handbooks).

1. I purchased a Lovebird with limited knowledge of its care. Vera Appleyard gives extensive information about the care and feeding of Lovebirds in the book, LOVEBIRD HANDBOOK.



2. The book arrived quicker than I expected. It is my bible of raising love birds. Very informative and a must have for love bird fanatics..



3. If I had to pick one book that should be obligatorial to anyone purchasing a lovebird, this one would be it.
   
   It covers pretty much everything you need to know about the purchase, care, feeding, housing, safety, breeding and, last but not least, the lovebirds bodylanguage. I think they've successfully covered the basics. I would, however like to see a little more about games you can do together with your bird, that they enjoy. Tricks ain't something that comes naturually to them and talking is extremely rare in lovebirds. A guy I know use to tear up old newspaper in a bowl and hide treats under the paper-pieces. They'll sort of dig under the paper with their beak (or entire head) and pick up treats. His birds love this, they whistling and cheer.
   
   "Owning a bird", he once told me, "ain't nothing like owning a dog. If you're nice to the dog it will be nice to you, but birds are a little harder to get a grip at"
   
   It's a beautiful little book with huge, pretty photos spread through it. Well worth the money.



4. This is the 6th book I've read about lovebirds, and my favorite one. It has alot of history on the birds, and also talks about training them, how to handle them when they first come home, diseases, and how to feed them and even a chapter on breeding. Very complete, and has so many pictures that it makes it hard not to read. I recommend it!



5. The book has some basic review of lovebirds but fills the rest of the book with explanations of genetics and the mutations and pictures of all the lovebird mutations. It wasn't particularly what I was looking for. I wanted to know their habits, personalities, etc. as I was not looking to breed lovebirds.

5 comments about Hen and the Art of Chicken Maintenance: Reflections on Raising Chickens.

1. With two books under his belt, Martin Gurdon is fast becoming to chickens what Jon Katz is to dogs. Except for the fact that he is funnier, cruder (there is swearing in this book and lots of references to poultry fornification), and English. This book chronicles his adventures with a small backyard flock. Anyone who has had pet chickens will recognize the behaviors he talks about (Bossy Chicken definitely reminds me of my Gertrude!) and laugh out loud, but readers who pick up this book without ever owning chickens may just think he is insane.
   
   This book is a short read. The font is the size one would expect from a child's chapter book and there are illustrations of chickens that seem to exist to make this book seem worth the $12.95 cover price I paid. Despite what the cover implies, this is NOT a chicken care book (though gross diseases are discussed). However, any person who has chickens and considers them part of the family will find something to enjoy in this book.



2. This is a hilarious compilation of stories from a first-time yuppie chicken-raiser. Apart from a few instances of crude/vulgar humor, the book is very entertaining to read. If you are interested in raising your own flock, you will find that the author gives handy tips and worthwhile advice. To the experienced poultry owner, the book will give a few after-chores chuckles as you relive first-time experiences along with the author. Gurdon's writing style is a cross between James Herriot and Patrick McManus.



3. Okay I was a little surprised that this book was written by someone in England (I think). It was a very funny book. I was looking for information on raising chickens and it gave me an insight to the fowl personality. After reading this book I decided not to raise any chickens. It was funny though. And realize this book is not an American's perspective. I did not know that before reading the book. If you are undecided as to if you want to keep chickens as a hobby then you need to read this book before making your final decision.



4. I loved this book. It had a lot of information about chickens although it isn't a complete chicken raising manual. I highly recommend it as an addition to other chicken books for learning about chickens.
   
   I also recommend it for anyone who isn't interested in raising chickens as it is a great story.



5. I thought this book was wonderful.....An easy read--perfect for curling up at night and reading a chapter or two--I didn't want it to end! For those who have chickens, you will find yourself laughing out loud at the stories (who hasn't encountered an 'oops' rooster??!) as the author stumbles through the life lessons that chickens undoubtably provide! For those who don't have chickens, its still an entertaining read--full of humor--the names the author gives his chickens (Egghead, Bald Bird, etc.) had me laughing all the time......
   However, this book is not too great on the facts--I found several discrepancies that the auther had not researched and were based more in theory than anything, but who cares??? The book was great fun and I suggest it to all. Actually a fabulous book to read aloud to someone as well. Thoroughly entertaining!

2 comments about The Canary Handbook.

1. Yes, this book is adorable. The pictures are wonderful. They range from images of canaries eating in a large group, to canaries at a show, to canaries in cages, to a canary-breeding room, canaries in nests, canaries canaries!!
   
   This book is very detailed, and covers bird accomodations, nutrition, breeding, history, illness prevention and cure, type canaries, color canaries, and song canaries.
   
   There are examples, very well photographed, of many of the type and color canaries.
   
   He is a real fan of song canaries, and gives interesting examples of the types of song, the breeds of song-canaries, and their potential.
   
   Just like the visual support for the color and type canaries goes beyond mere description, I would have loved to have a supplementary song-cd to go with the last chapter. It is inspiring, and than it leaves you off, wondering about this magical sound that he describes.
   
   Very cute, very nice, relaxing book; a journey into the world of canaries.



2. I recently expanded my bird collection to include two canaries and as I knew little about these pet birds, I purchased several books on the subject from Amazon. According to Barron's THE CANARY HANDBOOK which I have found the most useful of the four books I bought, there are three kinds of canaries: "type", "song" or "color". My birds (two bright yellow brothers) are supposed to be song canaries, but according to the breeder, the dominant one will do most of the singing. Apparently, girl canaries don't sing but not all boy canaries can carry a pleasant tune.

   Barron's handbook is filled with many up-close photos showing the many different kinds of canaries as well as various stages of development including breeding tips. In a charming chapter entitled 'Understanding the Canary' the handbook shares some history of the domesticated bird along with a little bit of information about canaries in the wild. The handbook says the canary has been domesticated for five centuries and breeding and marketing these birds via peddlers once formed the chief industry of the Harz region of German Black Forest.

   The handbook includes a section on `Feeding Canaries' and discusses "color" feeding. Beginning in 1870, cayenne pepper was mixed with canary seed to improve the red color of the Norwich and Yorkshire canaries. Later on, breeders and owners discovered sweet red peppers were more effective. The authors of this handbook suggest mixing canthaxanthin in egg yolk. This handbook includes many similar tips for helping your canary obtain the best food and care.