The Complete Parrot [Paperback]

Arthur Freud (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 10, 1995

A gorgeous celebration of this intriguing bird, The Complete Parrot is the ideal guide for the contemporary enthusiast of macaws, Amazons, lories and all the other members of this large, varied family of living feathered jewels. The Complete Parrot is abundantly illustrated with a lush collection of vibrant color photographs representing species from around the world.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

The Complete Parrot Glowing with a sensational gallery of stunning color photographs and filled with the rich lore and expert guidance every parrot owner welcomes, The Complete Parrot, by Arthur Freud, is the ideal guide for all who own, admire, and enjoy these perpetually intriguing birds. This beautiful book is presented in three deeply enlightening parts: What All Parrot Lovers Should Know, which delivers a veritable treasure trove of the practical advice on all facets of smart parrot care, The Parrot Family, which showcases numerous parrot species—some familiar, some less so, and Special Delights, which includes chapters on A Variety of Unusual Parrots, Parrot Potpourri, and Parrot Q&A. Within these broad sections, twenty fascinating chapters are arrayed to advise, educate, and entertain you regarding this large family of living jewels that has fascinated man since ancient times. Matched to the peerless text is a spectacular gallery of gorgeous photos to delight you. Here are the huge macaws—like feathered, multicolored banners; the emerald-green Amazons; the pristine cockatoos of white, pink, and other delicate shades, and along with them are the glossy Eclectus, lorikeets, conures, and lovebirds, all adding their special magic to the mix. Leafing through the photos in The Complete Parrot is like visiting your own private aviary. You will also find a thoughtful discussion of conservation measures and the parrot family's future in view of widespread habitat destruction and advances in captive breeding techniques. In every way, The Complete Parrot will grace your home and library and also will enhance your knowledge of and appreciation for these universally loved birds.

About the Author

Arthur Freud is a renowned veteran aviculturist and prolific writer to the bird fancy. He previously wrote All About the Parrots and was the publisher of American Caged-Bird Magazine, one of the most respected periodicals in the hobby.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Howell Book House; 1 edition (July 10, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876059051
• ISBN-13: 978-0876059050
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,283,983 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wide ranging and topical, September 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Parrot (Paperback)

Very readable and entertaining. Clearly the work of a bird-lover. Some readers have criticized the book for the very characteristics that make it a joy to own. This book is not a "how to" or a guide to basic parrot care, of which there are several on the market. It is, rather, a general discussion of parrots, with more information on the parrots that are better known to the author. The photographs are wonderful, and some of the stories are quite amusing. The author began as a parrot owner during a time when not much was known about these wonderful companion birds. He is honest about his experiences, and these can help people who are new to parrot ownership now. There are not a great many books available to the parrot owner, and if one wishes to be reasonably well informed, it is advisable to read most of the available field. In doing so, this will be one of the most delightful experiences.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Help In Choosing a Bird, April 12, 2003

By 

mirasreviews (McLean, VA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Complete Parrot (Paperback)

Although "complete" is an overstatement, "The Complete Parrot" provides information on the personalities, abilities, care, and history of about 85 species of parrot, not including subspecies. It is also generously illustrated with color photographs of most of these birds. There are short chapters on Getting Started, Longevity, Training, Nutrition, Grooming, Avian Medicine, and Breeding. But these chapters are overviews of these subjects more than comprehensive how-to guides. The bulk of the book is dedicated to describing the birds. There are chapters on: African Greys, Amazons, Australasian Parrots, Cockatoos, Conures (only the most common species of conure are covered), Eclectus, Lories, Lovebirds, Macaws, and some additional Smaller and Unusual Parrots. The book seems to be intended as more of an exploration of the characteristics and delights of parrots than as a how-to reference. This probably explains why the sections on each species are not organized into breeding, housing, diet, history, etc. subsections. These topics run together. This does make it difficult to relocate something you have read, but it gives the book a more prosaic and narrative style, which I believe was the author's intention. I think any bird lover will find the information in "The Complete Parrot" interesting, but it would be most helpful to those who are trying to decide which species of bird to buy, or if bird ownership is the thing for them at all. The author gives more details about the personalities and abilities of more species of birds, in themselves and compared to each other, than I have ever seen in one place. He also relates his personal experiences with birds, as well as those of other bird owners. And he frequently gives some interesting history of the species. This information, along with the nice color photographs, will really help you chose a bird that is right for you. If you are considering a conure, you'll need a book dedicated to conures for more detailed information on the many species available.

Recommended for anyone who likes interesting bird stories and lovely bird pictures, but especially to those who are wondering which species of bird they should get.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Photos, Stories, and Information From a Trusted Source, February 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Parrot (Paperback)

The Complete Parrot is a wonderful book in every way. This book provides colorful pictures useful in deciphering any parrot of your choice, comical anecdotes that contain miscellaneous bits of useful information,and is easily read by any newcomer of the parrot fancy. Being a well-rounded piece of literature,the book may by itself give any person a significant understanding of the psittacine birds.