What do you wish you'd read?

[Astrid660]

^^Oh I loved that book!!

[jenseits]

Barbara Heidenreich has a blog, too. Good Bird Inc Parrot Training Talk

I've heard good things about anything written by Mattie Sue Athan. I have Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot. I think she's also the author of a book called The Second Hand Parrot, which might be good if you're thinking about getting a rescue or rehome.

Melinda Johnson has a book about Clicker Training for Birds, but you can also find a ton of info on the subject in the Yahoo Bird Click group that she moderates. The group has a lot of the same info as the books and it's all free. The other bonus is that the list provides a great feedback if you get stuck or just want input.

Clicker training is awesome and you've already got a huge advantage having done it with other animals. There are some differences with parrots -- they tend not to be nearly as food motivated as dogs, for example -- but nothing that can't be overcome.

I also own The Healthy Bird Cookbook, although I have to admit that I haven't made anything from it yet. :(

Personally, in terms of general parrot behavior and care (but not individual species) I've learned the most from forums and the clicker training group, not books. But that could just be my own style. I like being able to ask questions and get a variety of feedback and perspectives.

It makes me happy to see you doing so much research into bird ownership. With all the effort you're putting into it up front, I know you'll make a great decision, whatever bird you end up with.

Keep us updated on your progress!!

[garenburkus]

a lot of cockatoo owners are not a fan of mytoos. Mainly because it talks about the worst case senario. Not every cockatoo will be a plucker, a screamer, a biter etc etc. It depends on how it is handeled and trained and its diet mainly. Maitain a proper diet, ignore the screams for attention, and know HOW to pet your parrot properly and you could and most likely will end up with a great parrot. Not every cockatoo is a rehomed 5 times neglected cockatoo. But there is some valid info on there and cockatoos really arn;t for ervyone.

But it also doesnt mention how some cockatoos dont pluck, bared eyed, galahs and ducorps are not known for plucking. I say for your situation a smaller bird wouldnt be great because of the dogs, I say go for galah or bare eyed, they are fairly quiet.

I didnt read many books just lurked on fourms before my 2nd decision, i wish i did for ym first decision but i say lurk lurk lurk and stay away from most breeder sites.

and i think you should know, we demand pictures here when u get your fid. :D

[Amie]

Hmmm. . . .I love pionus. They aren't cuddly, though, but if you like the spunky lovebird, you may not be concerned about it. Love scritches, but they're pretty much content to just hang out with you. They work perfectly in the kind of household I have. Yeah, we've got lots going on, but at the end of the day, we just like to hang out and watch movies together, so a pionus would LOVE to just sit on the couch with us. They do need a little extra Vitamin A in their diet (says our vet, I couldn't find any diet information anywhere) like an ekkie, so if you want good food-related information, go to the famous ekkie web site . Eclectus Parrots and just replace the work "Eclectus" with the word "Pionus."

Parrotlets are goofy little guys, but they are TINY, so your 11 pounder may be able to do damage if he does decide to get a hunting instinct. Our new 4 pound yorkie has more bird-related hunting instinct than our two cats, and a parrotlet would probably not stand a chance against him. Thankfully, our ekkie could eat the yorkie with one quick beak attack, so he leaves her alone.