Customer Reviews

The Beak Book: Understanding, Preventing, and Solving Aggression and Biting Behaviors in Companion Parrots

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have not yet even finished the book, but it has already been well worth the price. This book has really straightened me out! I thought my parrot, who has been my beloved companion since 1986, was developing behavioral problems. This book has made me accept that these so called problems are my responsibility and that her behavior is a result of my input. I have started thinking about what every action I take teaches her (great examples in the book--like looking in the mirror) and have started patterning more acceptable behavior by becoming more calm and understanding in my dealings with her and by focusing on her more when we are interacting. When incidents occur, I now analyze them and learn from them. The difference is amazing, even from a mature (20ish and going strong) legally imported parrot whose first owners did not appreciate the beautiful friend that she is. To benefit from this book, you need to examine both yourself and your avian companion and take responsibility for creating a positive and trusting relationship. As I felt that our problems were of comparatively recent origin, I was able to see through the examples how recent stresses in my own life had subtly influenced my behavior and my relationship with my parrot. (In the author's terms, perhaps I have "confused" her!) By adjusting my own tone of voice and behavior (always be calm!), I saw an immediate result and our relationship has improved vastly. I really appreciate the author's philosophy and creativity in dealing with avian/human problems, although it was sad to read that many of the people she has counseled were too stubborn or impatient to accept her advice. I look forward to Sally Blanchard's next book.
And, as for the comments on organization, who cares? Life is not always organized!

If this book was written on toilet paper, I'd still recommend it. 95% of the books written on birds and parrots are fallacious, outdated and just useful as curiosities for what-not-to-do. Sure, its not the best organized book but still is chock full of information, and less expensive than Companion Guide. I reread both books over and over and find something useful each time. Its not a story book, its a reference book. Dictionaries aren't well written either.

Occasionally my parrot was biting me so I called a rescue organization who recommended this book to me. It is FANTASTIC! I haven't been bitten by my bird since. I learned to respect when my bird was uncomfortable with something and that handling a bird when they're extremely excited can be asking for trouble. I can't say enough good things about this book. BUY IT!

This book has some excellent information and suggestions. I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to better understand why parrots bite and how to prevent, reduce, and respond to biting. The down side is poor organization, too much repetition and bad visual design. It reads like random articles rather than a well-planned book, and some of the text is on colored patterned background making it almost unreadable. But even with that, the information is WELL worth the purchase price!

If you're looking for an instant formula to solve biting you won't find it here. You will find a lot more. There is plenty of practical advice, but much more thoughtful discussion and anecdote. Sally Blanchard's real gift - and her gift to us - is to teach us how to think about our birds, how to be a careful observer and how to build a mutually trusting relationship with the little creature's we're blessed with (even when we sometimes feel cursed).

One person complained about the organization, but on reflection I think the book's slightly meandering collage-like style is an asset. Instead of letting us flip to the page or paragraph with the quick fix, the book forces us to slow down, listen to, and think about our birds (it starts with a nice little essay on the beak itself) - which is really the first step in building a long-lasting healthy relationship with anyone or anything. I'm sure Sally Blanchard could have been a dynamite therapist, and we and our parrots are lucky she turned her empathic intellect to a relationship in dire need of it - the parrot-human relationship.

This is a great book that explores what part that we, as owners, play in the behavior of our parrot. I loved the illustrations, too. The parrot "expressions" were so accurate that they made me smile.

It's as simple as that -- every behavioral problem manifested in pet birds is the result of human behavior. With this book, the first in a projected series, the decades of Sally's empirical wisdom can be yours. Your bird will thank you for it!

There are typos, and the green screened background on some pages is a bit too busy, but you cannot fault the wonderful advice, case studies, and sympathy for what tortures our avian friends must endure at the hands of their "caregivers."

The Beak Book covers a lot of different situations that bird owners experience. All birds bite and this book covers what might cause a bird to bite and how to react properly.

If you have a parrot you must get this book. It should be standard issue with every pet parrot. Just skimming through the book is a revelation. I'm not finished reading it yet, and it's already made a difference in my relationship with my parrot.

If you own a companion parrot you have been bitten once or twice in you life. It goes with the territory. To understand the reasons why and how to prevent it, read this book.
You owe it to your parrot and yourself to have this book on your bookshelf.