Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot

by Mattie Sue Athan

This expanded new edition of a popular parrot-training book explains parrot psychology and discusses the ways in which parrot owners can apply it to solve behavior problems. The author cites the most common problems--screaming, biting, and feather-chewing--and tells how to remedy them. She also stresses the need for periodic reinforcement of desirable parrot behavior traits and advises on many aspects of good parrot care, including proper nutrition and providing the bird with steady companionship. The text is complemented with many attractive and instructive color photos and line art.

Genres: Animals, Nonfiction, Reference, Birds

144 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1993

Reviews

[Marguerite · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a professional parrot behavior consultant, this is one of the classics, and one I always recommend to clients.

[Lis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is on the top-five of parrot books I have read. Barron's has put out quite a few really insightful ones. This is geared towards someone who has already selected a parrot and is preparing or finds themselves in a heap of shit (literally) because they can't communicate with their feathered friend. It's easy to read, really well-constructed, so you can find the parts of the book that speak to you and your problem, and -- well, you should just get it and read it. Every parrot's companion would stand to learn a thing or two from this book.

[Celine Lind · Rating 5 out of 5]

A GREAT book for those who wants to learn more about their parrot. You will learn how to play games with unsocialized birds, WHY behaviors occur, and how to solve those that should be solved. It gives you a realistic point of view of bird owning and really impressed me. It put all my thoughts right into words!
Anyone reading this book will feel refreshed as a bird owner afterwords!

[Stanley Bartkus]

on page 18, so far, so good.

[Laurel Rockefeller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first bought Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot back when it was in first edition in the mid-1990s (in fact the cover art on my copy is a bit different than you see here) after hearing about it in a segment on abused parrots on ABC's 20/20. Since then, this book is the one I turn to time and time again whenever a new parrot comes into my life. It's helped me enormously with befriending my feathered family members.

Communication is the key to successful aviculture. This book helps a great deal with learning how to understand and properly communicate with your family bird. It really is one of the most useful aviculture manuals ever written.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read this (2015) after buying it when it came out. It still holds up. I have an African Gray who is about to turn 17, and she is a really sweet bird. She lives with our rat terrier and they take naps together. Much of what is in this book is not obvious or common sense to people who have only known dogs or cats. Birds are different.

[Sundry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very compassionate, readable and informative for the new parrot owner.

[melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

my parrot has some problems. really, just one problem. HIS BEAK.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

She doesn't even mention adopting as a means to get a parrot (which is a very important option). She also doesn't mention you should ignore screaming

[Teri Temme · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT book on Parrot Behavior. A lot of books have claimed to be about behavior, but this one actually delivers! So happy I picked this one up.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great resource for parrot owners! I learned a lot about my green cheek conure's relatives and his place in the species. Typical behaviors and what to feed him.

[DeanJean · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has everything a new parrot owner needs to know...from the usual dietary guide, the correct feathers to trim and the best feathery places for stroking your parrots. Awesome.