Guide to the Quaker Parrot [Paperback]

Mattie Sue Athan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1997

The Quaker parrot is becoming one of the most popular companion parrots as bird owners discover that it is easy to train, has a colorful and endearing personality, and often develops human speech imitation almost spontaneously. This volume provides the details of parrot behavior training, best begun when the bird is still in its baby stage. Patterning and positive reinforcement are applied to balancing human and territorial bonding, maintaining status in the pecking order, and "potty" training. The author also gives general advice on cages, bird toys, grooming, diet, and protecting against household accidents. Potential problem areas are also discussed, including aggressive behavior, molting, excessive noisemaking, and sexual behavior. There is a special chapter on physically imperfect Quaker parrots, advice on recapturing escaped birds, and background information on Quakers as pets in Brazil. The text is enhanced with dozens of full-color photos and line art.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

(back cover)
An endearing personality and a facility for imitating human speech makes the Quaker parrot a favorite among bird owners. Mattie Sue Athan, an expert on parrot behavior and care, advises on training, grooming, diet, cages, and toys for this unique bird. She also tells you how to protect your inquisitive Quaker parrot from household accidents, and emphasizes the importance of reinforcing desirable behavior habits in your pet. New in this edition is a discussion of recently identified anatomical features of the Quaker parrot, plus tips on recovering escaped birds, and background information on Quaker parrots in their native ranges.

Filled with color photos and instructive illustrations. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Mattie Sue Athan has been a practicing parrot behavior consultant for nearly 30 years. She is also author of Barron's Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot and several other books on parrot varieties and parrot behavior. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 122 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764101765
• ISBN-13: 978-0764101762
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 6.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,119,516 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Quintessential Guide to the Companion Quaker, August 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Guide to the Quaker Parrot (Paperback)

Although any new Quaker owner will receive plenty of helpful basic information about housing, feeding, and health care, the real value of this book is in its in-depth study of Quaker behavior, personality, socialization, handling, and training. This is not a book to read once and put on the shelf; it is an "owner's manual" for the Quaker Parrot that should be kept handy and referred to over and over again as questions and problems arise. Even the experienced Quaker owner can learn much from this well-planned and easy to use guide.

What Ms. Athan first did for all parrot owners with "The Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot," she now does especially for Quaker owners with this book. She clearly explains procedures and principles for socializing, training, and dealing with behavorial problems of the Quaker Parrot. A special section on Quakers and children will be especially helpful to families, and the chapter on "rehabilitation" will be invaluable to anyone acquiring a "second-hand" Quaker.

It's my personal opinion that if everyone who owns a companion Quaker were to read this book and use the principles and methods contained therein, eighty to ninety percent of Quakers who are being given up to rescue or breeding situations would be able to remain in their homes as cherished companions. If you now own or are planning to get a Quaker, this book is as essential as the cage, food, and toys.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Want to understand "why" a Quaker does what he does?, January 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Guide to the Quaker Parrot (Paperback)

This book is a good place to start. I've lived with a Quaker for more than 4 years now. He loves me and barely tolerates my husband in the house. I've often wondered what was going on in his mind. And thanks to Ms. Athen's book, I have a much better idea. My Quaker's behavior is pretty typical for a Quaker. This book gave me some reassurance that he's "supposed" to act the way he does, also some indication of "why" he acts the way he does, and a few ideas of how to change the things he does. I plan to read it a second time in a few weeks, just to solidify all the ideas that were raised.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, June 26, 2000

By 

Elise - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guide to the Quaker Parrot (Paperback)

I got a quaker parrot about a week ago and had no idea of how to take care of it. After reading this book I know everything. This book tells you the basics like the cage size needed and what to feed it, but it also goes into some subjects that you would not expect like how to potty train your bird. It staites many times how to socialize your bird so that it gets along well with the whole family and so that it doesn't bite. It also talks about why and were the birds are outlawed. If you want to know everything about Quakers this is the book for you!