4 comments about Taming and Training Cockatiels.

1. Nothing wrong with the book, I just find it hard to tame the bird, which apparently was not hand fed. With soaring ceilings, we are afraid to take him out of the cage as the book suggests...I can just imagine him up there where I can't catch him.



2. All i can say is GREAT. I have never owned a bird and this is what i needed to find all the info about buying, raising, and caring for the new member of the family. Highly recommended.



3. I just read the only review for this book....come on, it's not that bad at all. Risa Teitler has written some of the finest books on taming and training pet birds. This book is informative and has lots of practical information in it that covers all aspects of taking care of these unique birds. The book is 92 pages long, and the section on breeding starts on page 76 and goes to the end of the book, so that is a lot of breeding information for a beginner, but it says right there in the text that "...breeding birds are not usually tame to their owners once they begin rearing a family....if possible, keep a single pet and buy other cockatiels for breeding." So, forewarned is forearmed in this case. This fact is true of many other pet birds as well. At least she was honest about it.
   And, of course the pictures are great, I mean who doesn't think that cockatiels are cute? I have given this book 4 stars because I thought it was a decent read and most people would like it.



4. Absolutely without a doubt the best thing about Teitler's `Taming and Training Cockatiels' is the wonderful color photographs, but aren't most color photographs of cockatiels charming? Decent photographs are insufficient criteria to distinguish a book on birds. The book is written in a boring style that reads like, `look, here are my pets, aren't they great?' The book lacks focus and unsuccessfully attempts to cover too much material. There are promising introductory sections intended for readers that have never owned a bird before where instructions on making `first contact' without terrorizing the cockatiel are given. However, just a few pages later there is a large section on breeding birds. Surely it's unwise for a novice who wants a tame, loveable pet bird to delve into breeding at the same time? If the author had focused on one area, such as a guidebook for the new bird owner while avoided irrelevant distractions, I might have been able to suggest this book.

5 comments about Cockatiels (Animal Planet Pet Care Library).

1. 
   If you're thinking of adding cockatiels to your family, this book gives a lot of insight about their care and diet. It's easy to read and has lots of pictures on the variations. Cockatiels are very easy going, and well tempered, and caring for them is not difficult. Follow the advice in this book and you won't be disappointed.



2. We had already read this book after checking it out from the library. It was a good, relevant book so we bought it as reference for our new pet.



3. This book is a great overview for the first-time cockatiel owner. The layout is great and the pictures are both beautiful and instructive. It gives a little bit about food, illness and overall what to expect as a cockatiel owner. It is a great starting point for other books such as "Holistic Care for Birds" (McCluggage) and "The Healthy Bird Cookbook" (Deutsch). This is also a very helpful book to have if you are a cockatiel owner with kids, as it is a very kid-friendly book which the whole family can enjoy.



4. So far it has been real informative about cockatiels,and how to take care of them.



5. I loved the layout, it's well written and organized in a fun, helpful, and informative way.

4 comments about The Falconer's Apprentice.

1. Excellent book for those who are interested in learning more about falconry or those who are just starting out with their first passage Red Tailed Hawk. William Oakes presents his material in a very easy to understand manner for the new apprentice, and as one reads his book, it is very evident that he has a very strong respect and love for these beautiful, majestic birds. A must read for anyone interested in learning more about falconry and raptors!



2. For a beginner, this book was great. There are no fine color pictures in the book, and this book gives some good info on falconry equipment and training. Worth the buy for the money.



3. A great first book to introduce the reader to falconry. Oakes does an excellent job teaching the reader how rewarding training a red tailed hawk is, while being very clear that they will be spending many hours every single day with the bird for at least a few months. He gives detailed information about the gear and housing requrements to prevent someone from trapping a hawk if they don't have the necissary equipment.
   
   It has made me want to become a falconer ever more, but I have realized that I am at least a year away from having the time to dedicate to the project. I trust everyone who reads this book will spend a lot of time preparing for the day that they become a flaconer.



4. There are fewer things more beautiful than a falcon in flight. This beautiful, majestic bird is the epitome of grace and speed.
   
   This book is a good beginner's guide to catching, training and working with falcons and enjoying the world through their very keen and penetrating eyes.

5 comments about Good Bird! A Guide to Solving Behavioral Problems in Companion Parrots.

1. This is Barbara's first book. It is okay, but for a much better book on dealing with parrots, get her book "Parrot Problem Solver".



2. Barbara Heidenreich is certainly one of the titans of Avian Psychology and positive reinforcement models for parrot behavior modification and training. "Good Bird" is a great primer for first time parrot owners or those finding their parrot could use some behavior support.
   
   For companion parrot owners with more serious aggression/biting/screaming issues or those with re-homed birds with trust/behavior issues, a more in depth read with greater detail into avian psychology (How DO these guys think?) and positive reinforcement training techniques, The" Parrot Problem Solver" by same author or "MY Parrot My Friend" by Bonnie Munro Doane and Thomas Qualkinbush are must haves for any Parrot Owners library. "Good Bird" is good stuff however, and this multiple parrot owner gives it a thumbs up.



3. This book, along with Ms. Heidenreich's other book, The Parrot Problem Solver, are the best books I've come across dealing with companion parrots. If you understood why your bird is behaving as it does, you can deal with it more effectively. Kindness and reward go far with a companion bird (and, even though Ms. Heidenreich didn't mention it, 11-12 hours of covered cage/darkness a day does, too) than all the reprimanding in the world (which a parrot does not understand). A parrot, much like a cat, is not going to do anything he doesn't want to do, but unlike a cat, you can convince a parrot to want what you want, too. Tell him he's a good bird when he's quiet. Give him a reward when he says something nice. Understand you are his teacher, not his mate and not his slave. Punish him by turning your back, reward him by giving attention and praise. Parrots are a lot like toddlers - they need to be constantly taught how to be good and their companions need to be able to recognize the behaviors (sometimes extremely hard to see) that signal overexcitement, frustration and anger. Excellent book I'd recommend to any bird "owner."



4. Although the arrival/condition of the book was perfect, the content was very limited. I learned nothing new and feel I wasted my money. My parrot is still obnoxious. I had so hoped I would learn techniques to change his behavior.



5. To preface, I'm a bit biased as I am seemingly more in-tune with my birds than most folks are with theirs. Most birds seem to like me, and the behavior solutions in this book are mostly second nature to me. A good book for the flustered who need reassurance to follow the right path.

5 comments about Eclectus Parrots.

1. I hope this would be a good book to get before my female vosmaeri eclectus comes home but it doesn't cover much about potential health issues that you might experience when a female eclectus becomes sexually mature and starts to lay eggs. Egg binding is a major issue that I have heard females go through and I'm worried about that. Also, since this is a species specific book there really isn't enough information about the different sub-species of eclectus. It mostly has information about the most common eclectus (Solomon Island and red-sided) and nothing more. It service more as a picture book since it mostly has picture than information.
   
   Is this the only book about eclectus out in the market? because it's really disappointing.



2. Have you just got your first Eclectus parrot? If so. This is the book for you.
   
   I had no idea these birds even exsisted before someone left one with me, and never came back to claim him. With the help of this book and my local avian vet. I have the confidence to correctly look after my new companion.
   
   This book describes in great detail, how to look after your Eclectus parrot. I would recomend it to all new Eclectus owners



3. Nice book. Just not as informative as I would have liked. Beautiful pics. After reading, there still were many questions that I would have liked answered. I but say, the seller Seattle Goodwill was perfect in all ways. Check them out for other items!!!



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



5. 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.

5 comments about Falconry & Hawking.

1. This book is the bible of Falconry, when you finish it you'll be a complete realized falconer. I would recommend it to whoever wants to become a falconer.



2. This book is definitly not for North American falconers. Many topics seem out dated.
   
   This book does have some interesting information on glove making and bell making.



3. this book leaves no aspect on falcons uncovered , it is full of useful information , pictures and illustrations that would prove invalueble . breeds ,habits ,diet, and healthcare ...etc. thus paving the way to a great experience living and hunting with these birds.



4. For anyone seriously considering falconry this is still THE bible albeit there are some ommissions from a US perspective. I have nearly 20 years experience and have read virtually every recognised book on the subject. This is still the book I refer back to the most. A classic.



5. My argument with this book is with its American publisher and not the author. Even the author expressed a need for more updating in his preface to this 3rd edition. Although published as a revised edition in 1998 it was first published in 1978. Other than the chapter on Health and Disease chapter it has had very little editing to bring it up to date. If you are buying the book thinking you are getting up to date information relating to American falconry you will be very disappointed. The laws in the United Kingdom are very different than ours. In the United States you are required to trap your 1st bird, a Redtail or Kestrel, from the wild. The author is from England where trapping your own bird is illegal. So the information on trapping in the book is very sparse. If you turn to Appendix I for, Some Useful Address, you'll find the address for the North American Falconers Asso. invalid and an address for Pete Asborno bells even though he has passed away. The publisher's claim that this book is the most comprehensive book ever written on the sport is very debatable and with regards to American falconry is absolutely false! The book, North American Falconry and Hunting Hawks, is not only more comprehensive but also up to date. You will probably have to find it at a specialized falconry retailer but it is in print. It's now in its 8th edition and a far better choice for an aspiring American Falconer.

   With all my criticism of the publisher, I have none of the author or the book if it was properly represented. It is an excellent, modern classic falconry book that deserves to remain in print.

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

1. This is an excellent book on the total care of baby parrots. Also includes general care of adult parrots. I've read many parrot books and have owned a parrot for 10 yrs and I highly recommend this book. Well written and a good reference book.



2. This book has just the right information for a beginner like myself. It also has pictures that suits someone like me who depends more on graphic presentation than just words. It does not contain too many technical terminology for the general public to grasp what the author is saying and understand the message it is meant to convey.



3. The information in this book is sorely outdated! Try Parrot Breeder's Answer Book, The instead, and plan on learning more on hand-feeding from the internet or from one of the manufacturers of the commercial hand-feeding formula that is available now.



4. 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.



5. 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.

5 comments about Pigeons (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. This is a well-written, information-packed little book. I am a novice pigeon fancier and found a lot of answers to questions I had. Entertaining reading. I highly recommend it to anyone getting into this hobby.



2. Didn't go into the fancy breeds much. Most of the pix were illustrations, would have preferred photos of the real thing. Also didn't go into any of the various pigeon sports besides plain pigeon racing. There's got to be a better pij book out there.



3. I had searched everywhere; even the Internet, to find information (articles and/or books) about keeping Pigeons as pets after I had rescued, fosterd and then later adopted a Pigeon that could no longer fly well enough to be released back into the wild after being severely injured by a speeding car, with very little result. Even the articles I could find after doing many serches on the Internet only provided generalizations about keeping and raising Pigeons, but did not provide the detailed information I needed about diet, husbandry and health issues. As a bird owner for some 20 years of different species of birds (parrots to doves) Keeping a pigeon was a new experience. I was thrilled to find this book - Pigeons (A Complete Owners Manual) on Amazon.com and even more thrilled when I was able to read and learn from it. This is positively the best book about keeping and rasing Pigeons any aviculturist could possess! It covers virtully everything from building a coop to diet, exercise, training and breeding Pigeons. It even includes chapters on health issues and what to look for in the event of a suspected illness. This book has taught me many, many interesting things about Pigeons the average "bird person" would not necessarily know, and has made the life of the Pigeon I saved...Chance...immesurably better bacause I purchased it. To anyone wanting to learn about keeping Pigeons for show, racing or just as pets, this book is a MUST read! Thanks Amazon.com for helping me and for the truly speedy service in sending the book I'd ordered.



4. Barron's has since put out a newer, updated version of the 1980s book on pigeons. More color breed artwork as well as some good black and white drawings showing care, lofts, behavior of pigeons. A very good guide for the beginner or pigeon fancier of any age. While it does not cover detailed genetics or medical advice (check your avian vet for that information), it still has its place in every bird lover's library.



5. I got this book it has everything it said alot of information. Well worth the little i paid for it.

4 comments about Conversations with Cosmo: At Home with an African Grey Parrot.

1. For several years, I shared my life with an African Grey parrot. Therefore, I know firsthand that you must be truly devoted to your African Grey to appreciate this avian equivalent of a sometimes unruly and destructive, but often clever and loving toddler. Betty Jean Craige is just such a companion to her grey, Cosmo.
   
   In her book, //Conversations with Cosmo//, Craige carefully details her life and interactions with this exceptional bird, including quoting long passages of dialogue with Cosmo. Indeed, at times the intended audience for this book is somewhat unclear because Craige seems to approach her task almost as if she is a scientist recording research. For example, she includes over five pages of Cosmo's utterances to date at the end of the book.
   
   Nevertheless, Craige provides a very portrayal of life with an African Grey for anyone contemplating the purchase of one or just curious about these amazing creatures. While she addresses with honesty less appealing traits such as biting, feather dust, and mimicking phones and microwaves, Craige's descriptions show just how much a grey can blossom with the right care and attention. More importantly, //Conversations with Cosmo//provides evidence of the depth of satisfaction and companionship the bond between a grey and a human can bring both.
   
   Reviewed by Annie Peters



2. i thoroughly enjoyed this account of cosmo. such a beautiful bond between carer and parrot. alot of the funny things are so relatable to my own cheeky "scarlett" that i laughed and read parts out loud to my family .



3. Professor Craige tells the story of Cosmo, an African Grey parrot, who is intelligent, funny and creative. The book is both entertaining and informative. Those folks who already share their lives with a parrot will not be surprised by how bright Cosmo is, but they will love reading the story of her development and her brilliant use of language. Those who have never lived with a parrot will be amazed by how intelligent and complicated parrots are, and learn a new respect for these truly amazing creatures.
   
   As someone who shares her home with parrots I just love a book that shows how smart, funny and creative birds are. I enjoyed reading the lists of all of the clever things Cosmo says and the stories of her often mischievous sense of humor.



4. Anyone who has ever lived with an African Grey parrot will tell you how awesome they are... how intelligent and observant... how cunning and manipulative... and how very loving they are. In CONVERSATIONS WITH COSMO, Dr. Betty Jean Craige takes the reader through her journey of learning to live and converse with Cosmo, her beautiful African Grey companion.
   
   Like many of us, Dr. Craige originally chose an African Grey pet because of the specie's communication ability; but again, like many of us, she quickly discovered how incredibly loving and endearing they are to us "pet humans." She takes us through her process of teaching Cosmo to have conversations. She follows many basic principles for teaching Cosmo to talk, such as: 1) looking directly at the bird while speaking; 2) using the same words and phrases repetitively to describe the same situations; and 3) focusing on "power" words and phrases that teach Cosmo how to manipulate and control her own environment. For example, Betty Jean taught Cosmo the power, action word "wanna" to help her Grey companion learn to request objects, such as, "Cosmo wanna water," "Cosmo wanna peanut," and "Cosmo wanna cuddle." She also played games to teach labels. One of her favorite games was called, "what's that?" which gave Dr. Craige the opportunity to teach the labels of different objects in the house... and as a result, Cosmo learned the names of things, such as "clothes" and "television." It also provided Cosmo with a verbal tool for asking, "what's that?" for any object or activity that intrigued her.
   
   African Grey parrots are so incredibly smart! They have minds of their own and can teach themselves on their own, too! For example, my African Grey, Merlin Tewillager, turned "bye-bye" into a power word when she wanted the bird groomer who trimmed her nails TO LEAVE! Not ALL Greys are talkative; however, that does NOT mean that the less talkative ones are not smart. We learn to talk to communicate our needs, and a less-talking or non-talking Grey may not always need to talk to communicate when they are closely attuned to their human companions. I think even deeper than their ability to talk, African Greys have an ability to get into our hearts and souls and connect with us humans on a level that most other entities cannot reach. Therefore, if you have a Grey, and whether or not your Grey is a talker, you are among one of the luckiest humans on this Earth!
   
   The key reason that Dr. Betty Jean Craige wrote this book was to sensitize humans as to the fact that animals are sentient beings capable of thinking, feeling, and communicating. They have purposeful lives, just as we do. When we learn to see this glorious dimension in our pets, it opens us up and reminds us of the magic and wonder that surrounds us every day. That's what life's all about! Good job, Dr. Craige!
   
   Maggie Wright
   Author & African Grey expert ([...])
   Bringing Back The Magic ([...])
   African Grey Parrots: A Complete Pet Owner's Manual

5 comments about Of Parrots and People: The Sometimes Funny, Always Fascinating, and Often Catastrophic Collision of Two Intelligent Species.

1. This book was the most informative book I've read on the parrot population, pet stores, smuggling, etc. It also gave a grasp of the magnificence of the parrot intelligence.



2. This is quite an eye-opening account of virtually every aspect of the relationships between these intelligent birds and the humans that can befriend or bedevil them. The later chapters about Charles Munn's efforts to preserve natural habitats in South America are inspiring, while the ones dealing with the bird trade are depressing and infuriating. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys hanging out around and observing talking, squawking feathered creatures.



3. I found this book interesting and also very helpful in understanding the parrit I live with.



4. As a parrot owner/rescuer/lover, I would recommend this book to any parrot fancier. I would also recommend it to new parrot owners so they can see they are not alone.



5. Some people might consider Mira Tweti a fanatic, because she doesn't believe in any captive breeding of parrots for the pet trade or that captive parrots should ever have their wings clipped. I might be one of those people. Tweti's intention is to present us with the current relationship between humans and parrots, both captive and wild, so that we see how dysfunctional and destructive that relationship is at times. "Of Parrots and People" largely succeeds in that goal by looking at the current state of parrots in the pet trade and in their natural habitat. Conditions are not what they should be for parrots and many populations seemed doomed to extinction.
   
   Tweti begins by introducing the reader to the amazing cognitive, linguistic, and emotional capacity of parrots. The book's twelve chapters explore issues like: the crisis of unwanted birds and overburdened rescue facilities, feral flocks of non-native parrots in the United States, the plight of breeder birds on typical breeding farms, bird rescue organizations, parrot poaching and the illegal parrot trade, a US Fish & Wildlife Service Special Enforcement Agent's fight against parrot smuggling, and a trip to Brazil to see parrots in the wild with conservationist Charles Munn. She progresses from discussion of captive companion and breeding birds to the threats to wild parrot populations.
   
   "Of Parrots and People" is not exhaustive on each topic, nor is it always objective, but it presents major parrot issues in a generally engaging style. I felt that Tweti could have done more to impress her readership with parrots' intelligence, to explain why they have such great needs in captivity and would be an extraordinary loss if they were extinct in the wild. People should be thinking of these birds as dolphin or elephants, as smarter than chimpanzees, by the time they finish the book, and I don't think they are. I was annoyed repeatedly by omissions and misstatements of facts to distort some issues. This is a polemic. But "Of Parrots and People" does illuminate the problems and provide insight into aspects of the parrot trade that even parrot lovers may not know about.