beautiful story everyone should get this book.

[macawgirl]

so i work at home and one of my companies projects is barnes and nobel, so we had to find an ebook and download it for practice so i hate reading, so i know i would pay attention if i found a book on macaws.

i sure did! this story is beautiful, i just started reading it and i know i will be up all night finishing it. its about a rescue macaw with one leg. it will make you cry though!


Barnes*&*Noble.com - Book Search: parrot dog

[Greycloud]

Yes, that is a wonderful story! Very well written. I cried too!

[jaded1313]

I would read the reviews on amazon before you get the book...(spoiler)

Amazon.com: The Parrot Who Thought She Was a Dog (9780307406286): Nancy Ellis-Bell: Books

"First, I must state that I own an African Grey parrot who is the light of my life, and I protect her life everyday by giving her the best care possible. I was very excited to get this book, but after reading it, I have been upset to the point of writing this review. The macaw named Sarah was "rescued" by a novice parrot person. The bird was deemed untouchable, and no attempt was made to rehabilitate her in this regard, but she was still given free reign of the house and was never caged after the first few weeks. She was allowed to "be a bird" within the home even though every attempt was made to bird proof the house and keep her safe. But then, because the "rescuer" felt bad that this wild caught bird had been caged, Sarah was allowed to free fly outside which was in a forest. Eventually, Sarah took to the trees, where she perished after a week in the driving rain because she would not come when called. She was found dead on the ground outside her home, where she had eventually tried to return. The writer describes watching Sarah, high in the trees, sinking in demeanor day by day, until she lost track of her. I feel terrible that this beautiful bird was caught, injured in the process, and then sent to the U.S. to be kept as a pet. But I feel much worse that she ended up with a person who was so emotional about this fact, that she tried to re-introduce the bird to an outside environment completely foreign to the bird after years of being in a cage. This poor bird was doomed, and I cannot stop thinking about her. She starved to death up in those trees, and the weather probably caused her to be miserable and sick before she finally died trying to go home. It goes without saying that all birds deserve to fly free, but if you come upon a parrot who has been raised to be a pet, you are beholden to care for it, not expect it to know how to be wild. Even though the book was entertaining in parts, I cannot get past the injustice done to this sweet soul. I will never forget Sarah and what happened to her. I cry every time I think about her. "

[r2rusmc]

There is a member on this forum that has done the same thing and lost the clipped bird to a predator. He improved his technique and plans on releasing the rest of his flock.

That was his last update a few months ago. He left in a huff when he did not get support. Look up the posts, they are a tragedy in the making.

[r2rusmc]

Help Me With My Decision

[perchingbird]

... parrots released into non-native environments are a THREAT and NUISANCE to the NATIVE ANIMALS that live there.

Who's going to speak up for the wildlife? :p

... but I'm glad the OP enjoyed reading the book. :D I do get fiesty when misinformation is published though.

[Langston4]

ohh goodness I was getting very excited when I thought there was a wonderful book I could read about a macaw but now I dont know those who have read the book is it a good idea or just leave it alone

[LovelySydney]

Thanks for sharing about the book - but WHOA! Sounds like a sensitive topic!!

[MissV]

Uuuuuugh.

Hey, let's release a bird that was created to live in a rainforest and place it in a dissiduous one!

Hey, while we're at it, I bet the Polar bears would be better off we moved them to arizona!


Makes me want to a right a proper bird story myself. ^^

[xafsmom]

Once we choose to become caretakers of a parrot, we have a responsibility to offer the parrot the same level of care and consideration we would a child. To allow a bird to fly free is one of the joys of having a bird, but safety is a primary consideration. By providing structure (a large free-flight aviary, tether flight training, etc.) and boundaries, we set the expectations of our birds.

Putting birds that have been reared by humans in an outdoor environment where they are left to fend for themselves is not only a tragedy, but a form of neglect. These birds are not native here. These birds were not taught by existing flock members to forage and live in their natural habitat. These birds have no clue how to stay safe and healthy in a place where they cannot even begin to acquire through forage their proper nutritional needs, safety of nest or roost, or, worse, lack of parrot companionship or even human companionship.

I read the book and I also was moved to tears. Angry tears. It made me want to shake the author and ask her why she would be so ignorant, so inconsiderate of what that bird really needed to survive. In the end, what did this person do? Preyed upon the emotions of bird owners and animal lovers by writing a book she now profits by.