Customer Reviews

The Parrot Who Owns Me: The Story of a Relationship

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

As I read this book I had to keep reminding myself that it's just "A Love Story" between Joanna Burger & her companion parrot, Tiko. This is not a book on how to bring up a companion parrot for the first time parrot parent. Some of the interaction between Tiko and Joanna goes against all behavioral advice that has been published before by behavioral parrot experts, and my own experience with companion parrots. You'll have to remember Joanna is doing scientific study and trying to let Tiko live as wild & free as possible within an enclosed household environment. Some of the things that Tiko is allowed to do could prove very fatal to a companion parrot. A companion parrot needs kind & loving discipline, and they do look to us as their parents in captivity for daily guidance and direction. If they don't have this, they end up very frustrated and confused, and stressed.

That being said, this is a wonderful story of the interaction and love between Tiko and Joanna. The experiences that Joanna had while on her many jungle trips to South America, etc, are captivating reading. I would love to read a detailed account of these scientific findings she experienced on these trips. This was a touching story, and I'm glad Dr. Burger shared it with us. If you are seeking expert advice on taking care of your new companion parrot be sure to check out the "Companion Parrot Handbook" by Sally Blanchard & her "Companion Parrot Quarterly" publication.

Joanna has written a clear, insightful, believable and touching story of her 15 year love affair with her Amazon parrot. Her great relationship with her husband is mentioned too - for those of you sentimentalists who prefer true romance and love stories. Her impressive blend of scientific research, humour, love of parrots and openess to other way of communicating with our loved ones of all species, makes this a great read. As a trained scientist, behaviorist, and vet technician, I appreciated the years of field research on different ornithological species that Joanna details throughout the book. As a professional Animal Communicator, I deeply appreciated Joanna's way of presenting this story that left the door open for the reader to wonder about the magic that happens between any two beings that love each other. The book is filled with wonder, true storytelling at its best, and is just a great read, especially for anyone who has ever known (or would like to know) a parrot. In case you haven't guessed - I loved the book!

I live with a parakeet who owns me, and after reading the review of this book in 'People' I had to find it. I'm glad I did. The stories of how birds in the wild and in human habitats relate to their companions are fascinating and often laugh-out-loud hilarious (Dr. Burger's parrot, Tiko, builds nests in furniture every year and tries to lure her in, with the hope that maybe this time eggs will result). If you live with a dog, cat or bird you will certainly find elements of familiarity, while her scientific explanations dovetail (no pun intended) nicely with the story. Overall, 'The Parrot Who Owns Me' is a delightful read for readers of all ages, and the birds depicted therein are charming. Long live Tiko and his adopted flock!

This woman is misleading thousands of readers as to what's acceptable in terms of rearing a parrot. She very often endangers her bird, everything from feeding it a poor diet to letting it chew on furniture (most have stains and sealants that can be toxic). I also see a lot of people voting these bad reviews down, which is fine, but realize that just because she "loved" her bird doesn't mean she did the right things for him. She sure left her other parrots in a rut fast enough.

"The Parrot Who Owns Me" is the story of ornithologist Joanna Burger's decades-long relationship with Tiko, a Red-lored Amazon Parrot with whom she shares her home and her life. She adopted Tiko when he was already over thirty years old, after his previous owners died. Tiko was opinionated, set in his ways, and a little slow to accept his new home and human companions. But years of patience and concerted effort paid off as Tiko became fiercely attached to Joanna and ultimately completely trusting of her. "The Parrot Who Owns Me" is a touching and fascinating account of the developing bond between a parrot and his human - and a human and her parrot. Probably because she is an ornithologist, Joanna Burger puts up with some behaviors from Tiko which might horrify many parrot owners. But her desire to understand his natural inclinations is our gain, as we learn what it's like to live in a household that is sometimes governed by parrot imperative. Her extremely patient husband, Mike, deserves a great deal of credit as well. As much as this book is the story of Tiko and Joanna's relationship, it is the story of this ornithologist's relationship with birds over the course of her life. Joanna shares stories and her feelings about the previous parrots in her life and the fieldwork she has done -and continues to do- around the world. Entertaining and enlightening, "The Parrot Who Owns Me" is a must-read for anyone interested in parrots or animal-human relationships.

If you have ever loved a criter that wasn't human and received love back or worried about the irresponsible way humans treat the planet and its other inhabitants, you should read this book. Those of us who are sure we aren't the only sentient beings in the universe will find comfort in a scientist's description of her relationship with a truly magnificient animal, one who loves too much but is not afraid to love again. There are scientific data, facts galore, and deeply touching accounts that could be made into a wonderful Disney movie. But Joanna Burger is not a wildchild paranormal communicator who just wuvs her wittle birdy. She is a highly respected scientist who evolves into a highly skilled listener and hears the parrots' cries as they slip into extinction. As a lifelonog rescuer of various domestic species, I once thought I could give a home to a needy parrot. After reading this book I realize I am not in the least qualified to do this.

This woman is an ornithologist and "behavior expert" on parrots. Yet she indulges in the worst possible parrot husbandry. Letting the bird attack her husband when he's trying to be intimate in their bedroom? Letting the bird lunge at her family/friends when they try to open the fridge? Indulging in and encouraging mate behavior? No wonder I had never heard of her among the respected avian academic and behaviorist community (Barbara Heidenreich, Dr Susan Friedman, Steve Martin). Do yourself a favor and read one of their books, not this self-indulgent, narcissistic memoir where Dr Burger seems intent on showing the readers how exclusive her bond is with Tiko (even to her husbands' detriment), and how vitally important she is to the bird. I wonder if she'd even WANT this bird to live a balanced life and have close relationships with other people? (I think not). Frankly, I think she should do some behavioral studies on herself and her own self-serving motivations.

Worthless and infuriating read. I got the feeling that the author wrote this book to be self serving. She seemed to care less for the bird and cared more about how much her bird needed her and depended on her, like she was getting some kind of a power and ego trip from it. She also does many incredibly wrong things, like letting her bird attack her husband, giving him onion, indulging in his nesting behavior, and many other no-no's when it comes to caring for a parrot.

Another thing that struck me as incredibly odd and creepy was how she seemed to want to share a sexual relationship with her parrots, especially the first one. Do I have to emphasize how strange and creepy that is?

Wow - what an unusual love story! This is a wonderful book for anyone who shares his/her home with a parrot, and it gives the reader a new perspective from which to regard these amazing creatures. Never again will I say I own my parrot - he's the owner!

I purchased this book several years ago for my bird club. Everyone who has read it adores it. Being bird owners and lovers we can understand what this person has gone through with her beloved parrot. We know that many parrots empathize with their caretakers. We also know that birds will most likely bond with one person, and heaven help the other person if they get in the middle.

I don't know of one person who read this book that didn't get teary eyed when she was sick in bed and the parrot groomed her hair on the pillow. It's a close feeling when your bird sits on your shoulder and preens itself and you at the same time.

I need to read this book again....and again. It's lovely...get one and read it. You'll enjoy it.