The Parrot Wizard's Guide to Well Behaved Parrots 2nd Edition Hardcover – January 1, 2013

The media could not be loaded. This book is an absoloute must for any new Bird parent. Whether you have a Sun Conure or a Hyacinth Macaw, they should make every potential owner read this book before getting their bird. That is how much of a believer we are in this book and how mportant it is, rather the better word is ESSENTIAL for bird ownership. To develop and foster a healthy, happy and mutually enriching life together, between humans and avians.I was skeptical at first, a book really... with all the YouTube and whatever other resources are available. But the book is a must. I read it like one of my medical textbooks and made dozens of bookmarks. It is a must to get if you have a bird and want it to live like its best life like your dog. Not like a caged prisoner. It is only because of Michael we started so early building all the fundamentals for flight, recall. Even harness training.... Amazing. Just understanding your birds psychology. Reinforcing good behaviors, avoiding bad ones. The PW Book should be prescribed text for all new bird owners.Even the process of teaching her to accept the harness and the process in how to do so. Slowly, deliberately and in a trusting loving manner filled with positive reinforcement. You and your bird will get massive dividends back from the time and energy you spend learning and mastering the skills in this book.

Absolutely marvelous. I could write a lot of words, but I would never be able to express all of my gratitude towards Michael for writing this book. It is the one to read for someone who would like to have the best possible relationship with a parrot. I bought a couple of caiques recently and despite that in the past I had cockatiel and a budgie, I was complete ignorant that there could be any other type of relationship with a bird than just a nice singing object living in the house. My caiques happened to be very active and different from the birds I had before, so I started to search the information in the internet, found Michael webside and purchased some parrot products from there. I saw how complex and intelligent a bird could be, but I had no clue how even to start interacting with them. I did all possible mistakes not experienced parrot owner could do, I was desperate since it seemed that my parrots were suffering with me a lot, so I decided to buy Michael’s book. When the book finally arrived and I red it, I understood how bad I was with my parrots, and why they were screaming, biting and not being happy. Instead of making them happy, I was on my route to the disastrous relationship. The book changed everything for me. It helped me to realize that despite parrots are extremely intelligent and sensitive and it is difficult for them to live in the cage, that there is a way to make them and me being happy together. I’m still learning how to come into the level of beautiful interaction with a bird books describes, but everything is different now and all thanks to this book. I loved everything about it, the style, the quantity and quality of information, everything written in such a direct, honest and very informative way. I do not know how I could have managed the interaction with my birds without this book. I think that everybody who would like to have a parrot should read this book first. It gives very good idea about what parrot is and what are the pros and cons to have one. Sometimes when I observe my parrots now, I remember sentences from the book and everything is much more clear and easier. What I like the most is not only advices and the way to create the harmonious relationship with a parrot, but also how Michael explains openly how difficult sometimes to deal with a parrot and how fragile, intelligent, miraculous and nice they are. Without this book, I would have needed years to understand simple things to start my relationship with a parrot. I think I always will come back to read parts of it to improve my understanding and my behavior with my caiques. This is definitely the only one book one needs to read to start. I’m so grateful to Michael for sharing his experience with parrots. He knows a lot about birds phycology and really loves them and his ideas about the bird behavior is a truly jewelry.

I almost never write book reviews but I had to go out of my way for this one. I have owned parrots for many years and I have volunteered at a bird rescue in North Carolina. Having this background, I find this book extremely helpful.Some of the information in the book I already knew from my own experience, but Michael explains why my hunches are right and how my actions should be repeated every day for better trained parrot. Other things have never occurred to me, such as proper weight management of the parrots. I always thought that my bird should have plenty of food in his cages at all times, but that's not the case. That also explains why my parrot was not really motivated to learn new tricks for food - he is already full! Duh.I also like the realistic, non-sugar coated approach Michael adopts for the readers. Parrot is NOT a good pet for most households, and this is the first time I saw someone else plainly say it (moreover, in a book!) and explain why. Parrot, no matter the size, is like a little kid who might live to be 80 years old. Parrot is a commitment, but also the best friend you might have. I saw all too often parents walking in the pet store with their kids and buying a budgie (small green, blue, white, or yellow parrots) because it seems like a fun pet and only costs $20. Big, big mistake. Get goldfish instead.Finally, this book is a collection of instructions on how to do all the cool things with your bird that you wanted to do, but never knew how: put the harness on, take the bird outside, let him fly outside, teach him not to be scared of strangers and new situations...And of course, I am dying to teach my parrot to fall over "dead" when I "shoot" him as Michael does in one of his youtube videos. Definitely check those out if you are a visual learner or a new parrot owner. Some of the training details described in the book might make more sense in video format. However, the book also has an appendix with very helpful photos.