Customer Reviews

Birds on the Couch: The Bird Shrink's Guide to Keeping Polly from Going Crackers and You Out of the Cuckoo's Nest

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book has sex, violence and tear-jerking scenes - and it's about birds.

At its heart, "Birds on the Couch" is a great manual for bird owners. But trust me, it's not anything like the manual in the glove compartment of your Ford Taurus. The book is witty, clever and entertaining, so much so in fact that I bet it could hold the attention of those with little interest in birds. (It was written by Ruth Hanessian, who has owned birds since 1949 and runs a pet store in Maryland that even offers parrot psychology services. Wendy Bounds, a reporter at the Wall Street Journal, co-authored the book, but it reads nothing like some dull story about Kodak's falling profits.)

As for the advice, it seems to cover everything anyone either with a bird or who wants a bird could possibly ask. Among the highlights: It explains how to deal with a bird so amorous it leaves wet spots on your hands. Hanessian retells the story of a woman in her 70s coming in complaining of this problem and worrying that her bird was sick. "Why ma'am, I don't believe James Henry is sick at all," Hanessian writes. "I'm afraid he's just horny."

It details how to tame the "Tyson bird," more commonly known as one that bites. "When a bird clamps down on bare flesh with its sharp beak, the automatic reaction is typically 'Ouch!' followed by something unprintable - which, as we have learned, the bird may repeat with glee. Yelping only encourages the biting, because birds like a passionate response."

And it even tells the reader how to know when it's time to give up a bird, such as the sad story of Mr. Duffey who after 40 years with the same bird grew too old to tend to the faithful creature. The lesson is that there are times when it's right to say good-bye. Mr. Duffey "thoroughly thought through the ramifications, considered his existing lifestyle - the tiny apartment and his own ill health - and solicited my help to ease the transition for Jesse [the bird] and himself," Han! essian writes.

And while the emphasis is on practical matters such as picking the right bird, the book's underlying theme is that these creatures that some see as aloof actually have a wonderful ability to touch the human soul.

This wonderful book was humorous and helped me think of ingenious ways to train my bird not have them train me. Ruth (the author)is wonderful! She knows birds and helps others with getting old (PAL in resting homes), parting of their little ones, having fun with your bird, and other stories of what she has seen first hand! It is a wonderful book to see if you would like a bird-because as the book explains birds are unpredictable.

I actually wrote this review after I read the review from a person in Indiana. I couldn't believe it! This book was not about her store it was about people that came to her store with REAL stories and she suggested ideas not concrete solutions because each bird is different and you have to try different things on different birds. The comment about her telling her customers to NOT to go to the vet is not true..it says in the book that they came to her for help, but if the bird was sick or needed help to definitely take it to a vet. People just trust her and asked her opinion first. It was a wonderful book about new birds, older birds, fun with your bird, and just fun to read. It doesn't help you with everything you will encounter with your bird, but it will sure help you through the hard times with humor and dedication! I just met Ruth this weekend at her little store and she does know her birds! She is very passionate about what she does! You will enjoy this book - even if you do not have a bird.

When you take a bird into your home, you're making the choice to cohabitate with a creature that is an independent thinker. Birds are much closer to being "wild" than "domestic" in their behaviors, and they will think of you as being "flock members." It is essential to understand how they think, and what determines their behaviors to maintain a symbiotic and rewarding relationship for both the human and the avian.

This book is well-written, entertaining, and informative. It is a "must-read" for any parrot owner, and I would especially recommend it for any "would-be" parrot owners, before they make the investment in a bird. If you enter into a human-avian relationship with a loving heart and an informed mind, you will both benefit for many years to come.

This book saved my mental health -- and that of my precious bird Sammy. The stories are engrossing and clever, but the advice is right-on and sound. I received a copy from my veterinarian who is selling it in his clinic. The writing is superb and I think that anyone with a bird or thinking about owning a bird should make sure this is high up on their shelves. I've passed mine along to a friend and expect that he'll do the same. You should too. Happy reading.

This book was a very quick read and somewhat entertaining, but not at all what I had expected or hoped for, especially considering its high secondhand price. The author's information is very basic and she really only gives a general overview of some of the most common traits that pet parrots may exhibit. Some of her suggestions and theories are quite dubious in my opinion. The information the book contains is very anecdotal, and for anyone who has a deep interest in or much knowledge about parrots, or anyone trying to address specific behavioral issues it is very inadequate. I would class it as a decent book for someone who is thinking about getting a parrot or parrot-type bird for the first time and is researching whether or not a bird is the right type of pet for them, but the title is certainly misleading. The book contains some common sense information but nothing new or cutting-edge in bird behavior, and certainly nothing that would indicate that it was written by a "bird shrink". I was very disappointed.

I did a lot of research before buying a bird, have owned several for a few years now. Someone passed this book by me and I was appalled. It's a wonder the birds these people have owned haven't died. I would have rated this book with negative stars if the option were available. Examples of blatant idiocy (IMHO, granted) include recommendations that all birds must have grit all the time, and that if a bird swallows a diamond from a ring it won't hurt them, it will just stay in the birds crop and act as permanant grit. WHAT??? Have we never heard of birds dying from crop impactions? Another example is to never take a bird to an Avian vet, if it acts sick just take it to the pet store. I won't even begin to explain what's wrong with that logic. If you love your birds and want them to be healthy and happy, don't buy this book. If you want a good book buy "Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot" or better yet, do some research on the web and actually sign up with some of the parrot listservs and talk to a variety of people. Please don't buy this book or follow it's advice.

Birds on the Couch is a cute little book which I enjoyed even though I do not own birds. Ruth Hanessian, who runs a bird store and teaches quarterly "parrot psychology" classes, uses this book to reinforce in the bird owner's mind that bird behavior almost always has some cause to be found in its environment.

For the Polly owner, the endless stream of anecdotes will help calm fears that their bird is insane. For those who don't own birds but enjoy animals it will be nice to see just how complex their moods can be.

Some of the mannerisms of the bird, which I now own, that were very annoying, now become clear, easier to understand and deal with. I have friends who own birds and I am buying a copy for each of them.

I had pretty much given up on Henry until I stumbled upon "BOTC". Thank God Ruth and Wendy were there for me. I found their advice to be invaluable - thank you! Henry thanks you, too.

This book was quite enjoyable to read. Contrary to the limited scientific book types that are written of parrots, this one is unique and really captures the characteristic of the bird. The "shrink" is a pet shop owner who has seen her fair share of bird/human relationships. Although there is no scientific basis to her writing, the stories are warm, funny and enjoyable to read. The relationship of parrot and human is very complex and so different from one may have with a dog or cat. It is nice to see a cute book that focuses on the lovable yet crazy parrot. A great book for bird lovers or anyone who may be curious of having a parrot as a companion. A quick read...a small book that can easily be picked up and left off- great on a nightstand or in a purse. This book will bring a chuckle and a smile and will have you look at your precious birdie in a new light!! Enjoy!!