Customer Reviews

For the Love of Greys

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3 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I recently bought my second African Grey from an excellent breeder. I paid for her at a bird fair, waited two weeks for her to finish weaning, and then picked her up. While I was waiting, I perused several books, and bought two. The other was Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot, which I also recommend. But I prefer this book.

It is, for lack of a better term, humanistic in its approach. I find that raising parrots is a lot like raising children. THe healthiest ones are raised compassionately, without harmful punishment. In this book, you are taught how to encourage the behaviors you desire from your parrot, and how to deter the less positive behaviors (biting, plucking, earring-eating, etc) and you are taught how to do this without yelling, hitting, or using scaring tactics like earthquaking or neglect. You are shown the importance of establishing a trusting bond with your parrot, and thus the importance of never violating that trust. Using her techniques, I have been able to get my bird to step up without ever having to force her.

The book also debunks many of the more common myths, such as "greys are one person birds" In fact, she gives suggestions on how to help your Grey bond with everyone in the family.

The book references many articles on the web, and gives the URLs for them - so you are able to conveniently continue your research in whichever areas you wish.

The book is written in a warm and wise tone, you can tell the author really knows Greys, and she deeply loves them. And while books that discuss parrot behavior in general can prove helpful, this book is excellent in covering those things particular to Greys. On the flip side, I do recommend this book to the owner of ANY parrot!

I wish I had read this book before I got my first bird. I am having such an easier time socializing this new bird, easier than I ever thought possible. I have a tender, sweet bond with my new Grey, and I am very grateful to Bobbi Brinker for this book, and to my most wonderful breeder!

If you are even vaguely contemplating buying this book, trust me, just go ahead and get it. You will learn so much from it, and it will forever improve your relationships!

For The Love Of Greys: The Complete Guide To A Healthy And Happy African Grey is the ideal instruction manual covering every aspect of the parrot known as an "African Grey". Author Bobbi Brinker is an expert in every aspect of their breeding and care. Profusely illustrated throughout, this pet owner's manual offers sound, sensible, accessible information in a series of informed and informative articles drawn from years of personal observation and experience hand raising grey babies. For The Love Of Greys clears up common misunderstandings about African Greys. Although dedicated specifically the African Greys, readers should note that there is considerable and invaluable information that would be applicable to all other species of parrots as well. No owner or breeder of an African Grey can afford to be without For The Love Of Greys in the personal pet care reference collection!

Written by the well-known breeder Bobbi Brinker, For the Love of Greys is truly a goldmine of information about the beloved parrots known as Congo African or Red-tailed and Timneh African Greys. Ms. Brinker has covered everything from behavioral issues to forced weaning, from common myths about Greys to proper socialization, from trimming flight feathers to proper diet including some great recipes, and from how to get your Grey to eat pellets to how to grow sprouts.

You'll find the answers to many of your questions concerning all parrots: How do I know what to ask the breeder? Are peanuts ok? Should I give vitamins? Do I cover my bird's cage? What are the airline regulations on parrots?

This is THE book on Greys whether you are thinking about getting one of these darling birds or have one now!

Greys are special birds, and the person who probably knows more than anyone about them is Bobbi Brinker. If you already own a Grey, this book contains all the information you need to give it a happy and healthy life. If you're contemplating the purchase of a Grey, buy this book first. It's a small price to pay to ensure that you make the right decisions in what will likely be a lifetime commitment. Chock full of useful recipes, links, advice, and information.

UPDATE - 8/2009: If the proof is in the pudding, Benjamin, my African Grey, turns 8 next month. I've had him since he was a baby, and he's gotten a lot of help from Bobbi's book and her website Parrotalk (dot) com. He is in perfect health, eats his pellets, and just about anything else he sees me eat. Plays in his cage, and entertains anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting him. I don't think he'd be the perfect parrot he is today without what I've learned from Bobbi and "For the Love of Greys".

If you have a baby or an adult Grey, you know what an investment and commitment you've made in that magnificent creature. The $20 or so you'd spend on this book is not only a great source of information, but a meager tribute to a woman who has done a world of good for the Grey parrot owning community.

Bobbi Brinker's book is an absolute MUST read for all African Grey owners, from novice through intermediates to breeders.Goodbye to the outdated information in past written books. The information in it is invaluable and up to date.I refer to it on a constant basis. From recipes to socialization to the pictures.It It gives me guidelines on weight, how to keep my grey healthy, what to expect and what to ask confer with your vet what tests to get in a well baby checkup. The most wonderful pictures of the proper way to clip a grey that even my vet has been pleased since he switched to this method.The back has a wonderful chart for keeping records of weight etc.

I can tell this book was written not only with love for not only a grey but any parrot but by someone that has a vast amount of experience in rasing them with love and respect for them. Bobbi has written this book in order for us all to gain the knowledge in having a wonderful grey companion that is not only healthy but well socialized. She covers all aspects from hatch to a mature adult.

If you are thinking about getting a grey, have a new grey or parrot in your house, or want to improve the relationship with your bird, this book is for you. I keep it handy at all times and have used it extensively from a broken blood feather to a nutritional food to cook for my birds.

Diane Winer

Add this book to your library. You'll be glad you did. We own two African Grey parrots, and this is one of the first books I bought. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants insight into "what makes these Grey birds tick?" Bobbi is a generous source of information, and a lot of us in the "Grey" world rely on her wisdom and guidance. Hope you enjoy "For the Love of Greys" as much as we have.

Whether you live with an African grey, love someone with a grey, or are thinking about adopting one of these incredible beings, this book needs to be in your home. Living with a parrot is nothing like having a dog or cat in the household. These ancient, sensitive, loving, smart, guys require a proper diet, exercise, environment, and human interaction. Before you begin your search for the Einstein of parrots, learn from Brinker's book, online message boards, reputable breeders, avian vets, and rescue organizations. Brinker has the experience, qualifications, and love for African greys--all captured in one book!

For the Love of Greys is a "must read" for anyone who is owned by a grey, or considering the purchase of a companion grey. There are chapters devoted to baby greys, socialization, wingclipping, nutrition, toys, hazards, breeding, handfeeding etc. There are even recipes and food preparation instructions with handy charts and accompanying pictures.

Bobbi Brinker has taken her love for greys, her years of experience as both a breeder and a grey "parront" and given us a clear, concise and comprehensive book about greys. This is not a one time read. This is a book you will want to refer to over and over as your relationship with a grey evolves.

Most people who have an African Grey Parrot and are on the internet have heard about Bobbi Brinker. Her birds are commonly called Bobbi Babies by those fortunate enough to have one of her babies.

She first wrote this book and self published it as a paperback, spiral bound book in 1999. The new book has a wonderful colour cover, some additions and corrections and is now published by Lucky Press. This should ensure that more people will have the opportunity to purchase it and read the advice offered by Bobbi.

She dispels many of the popular myths about these birds - such as African Greys being clumsy or pluckers or one-person birds or needing more calcium. She explains how these myths became popular and how to prevent these problems from happening to your African Grey Parrot.

She includes several pages devoted to the diet of an African Grey Parrot going into detail about the vitamin requirements and which foods provide these vitamins and also provides easy to follow recipes.

The information she includes on breeding and handfeeding will help the average pet bird owner know what to look for when checking out a breeder. If you are interested in breeding these birds, these chapters will be invaluable.

Bobbi also includes a chapter on the egg - giving day by day examples of some eggs as they developed from the day they were laid.

The final chapter in this book - Living With Greys: All Things Considered answers a lot of questions people have about the behaviour of their bird. Many behaviours that are normal, cause concern for people who wonder if there is a problem when they see their bird doing them. If you see your bird twitching, trembling, nail biting or digging (or more), you might want to read what Bobbi Brinker has to say about it.

An excellent book for any bird owner. It was written for
Greys but the information is valuable to all. I recommend
it to new owners knowing they will learn and enjoy the
information. The information on diets is very well presented.
Wing clipping is explained in detail. A must read for all.