The Second-Hand Parrot [Paperback]

Mattie Sue Athan (Author), Dianalee Deter (Author)

Book Description

Series: Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manuals | Publication Date: November 17, 2005

Two expert parrot owners point out the pros and cons of adopting a bird that has had a previous owner. All Complete Pet Owner's Manuals are heavily illustrated with color photos and line art, and are filled with reliable, easy-to-understand information on pet care. The many titles in this series show and tell pet owners how to care for dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, gerbils, hamsters, and virtually every other animal that is kept as a pet. The books give advice on purchasing and otherwise acquiring a pet, maintaining health care, housing, proper feeding, and where applicable, grooming and training. Clear, straightforward text comes with high-quality, full-color photos and anatomically accurate line art, as well as helpful tables and charts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (November 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764119184
• ISBN-13: 978-0764119187
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 6.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #252,553 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Home & Garden > Animal Care & Pets > Birds
  • #78 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Birds

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Parrot Owner's "Users' Manual", March 7, 2002

By 

"91crxsi" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Second-Hand Parrot (Paperback)

"The Second-Hand Parrot" - a new parrot care handbook from Mattie Sue Athan and Dianalee Deter - will be a sure-fire reference guide for anyone who has ever owned or has contemplated owning a "used" or "second hand" parrot.

This new book, which advertises itself as a pet owner's manual, is the latest in a series of readable, informative, valuable parrot books written by Athan and Deter and published by Barron's as part of its "Educational Series" of books.

The two authors have collaborated on two other Barron's parrot-related books, "Guide to the Senegal Parrot and Its Family" and "The African Gray Handbook." In addition, Mattie Sue Athan has also authored "Guide to Companion Parrot Behavior" and "Guide to the Quaker Parrot." Athan's first book, "Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot " is now in its second edition and is generally recognized as an industry standard "bible" for care, training, and enjoyment of companion parrots.

"The Second-Hand Parrot" marks a slight departure from the authors' previous books. This is more of a "manual" or "handbook" - an easy reference guide that can be used to supplement any or all of the authors' other, more specified books. The writing style seems to be faster paced and more to-the-point than some of the other books. This is not necessarily "a bad thing." It's easier for the reader to get a quick, specific answer to a particular question.

Pet (or Companion) bird ownership has been growing geometrically in popularity in the United States and in many other parts of the world. Pet birds, especially parrots, are now the third most popular type of pet in the U.S. - exceeded only by the all-time favorite dogs and cats.

This growth in popularity has been a double-edged sword. While many more households now include pet parrots, a certain percentage of new owners find that these intelligent, complex animals are not a best fit in their family flocks. Unlike dogs and cats, with their thousands of years of domestication, most pet parrots are no more than one or two - or at the most - three generations from the wild. There are still many, many pet birds sporting the open-ring bands that may indicate a wild-caught parrot, imported before CITES restrictions were completely implemented.

Many well-meaning potential owners, attracted by the obvious beauty and intelligence of a pet parrot, may purchase one of these complex animals without considering the physical, emotional, and monetary investments that come along with the bird. Many times, a well-meaning owner loses interest or is put off when a bird reverts to its natural instincts - some instincts (including possible biting and messiness) that may be undesirable in some households.

The growth in popularity of parrots has also fostered a growth in second-hand or "used" parrots. Some owners may decide that they have made a mistake, and they try to sell or give away an unwanted, many times misunderstood pet bird. (I won't get into the very real - and very bad - possibility of an owner releasing a pet bird into the wild!) The "Second Hand" book mentions the growth in the number and types of previously owned birds that show up in the classified ads of a mid-sized urban area newspaper. If anything, the authors have understated the growth in the number of birds offered to new homes.

The book contains chapters on how birds arrive in a second-hand status, the types of birds offered, the costs attendant with even a `free' bird, and the special challenges facing the owner of a previously owned bird. Information is easy to find and well presented.

This is a well thought-out book. Each section and topic logically leads to the next thought or idea. The table of contents and the book's appendix are easy to use and informative. The book itself is printed well, with generous use of good pictures, illustrations, and topic-related sidebars.

"The Second-Hand Parrot" will be a godsend to anyone who is faced with the unique challenges (and pleasures) of adopting a previously owned bird. However, this book is also a must-have for any and all parrot owners. Anyone - who has included in their family flock - a lovely, intelligent, mischievous bird that also comes equipped with "toenails and something resembling a can opener on its face" (Pg. 19) should purchase "The Second-hand Parrot." The wisdom and advice in this short, easily read book easily apply to all parrots and all owners.

I recommend that this book be added to the collection of other fine books by the authors. This book, and its predecessors are users guides and owners manuals that should be read and re-read. They are all great value for the cost, and this new book is a great, easy to use, troubleshooting guide that can be productively utilized by both a first time, neophyte owner and by a seasoned parrot owner.

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First-rate info from two experts in the field, October 14, 2002

By 

J. Carter (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Second-Hand Parrot (Paperback)

This book has a special place in my heart, as I bought a second-hand parrot from one of the authors. I bought Peanut, my Meyer's Parrot, from Dianalee Deter about 9 months ago. Peanut was about 2 years old, and Dianalee said she'd adapt to a new home just fine. I was skeptical, as Peanut was VERY shy and hands-off; in her previous home she apparently was rarely handled or let out of the cage. But I got her anyway, and boy was Dianalee right! Peanut and I bonded very quickly (days), and now she's the most loving and playful parrot you could imagine!

This book wasn't published when I first got Peanut; instead I had "Guide to the Senegal Parrot" and "Guide to Companion Parrot Behavior" (same authors), and they were immensely helpful both before and after getting Peanut. This book came out just a couple months later, and I took a good look through it. It answers pretty much every question I had bugged Dianalee with, and carries forward the best aspects of the other books, too. I would highly recommend this book as well as the others Mattie Sue Athan and Dianalee have written.

I would also, as a general note, strongly consider a "second hand" bird instead of buying a baby. There are a TON of birds out there in need of good homes, and my own experience with Peanut has been nothing but positive. If you're in the market, get this book and think hard about giving a bird a second chance for a good home.

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now, I'm a believer......., December 31, 2004

By 

Dianne Foster "Di" (USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Second-Hand Parrot (Paperback)

In THE SECOND-HAND PARROT, Mattie Sue Athan makes a good case for taking on a previously owned parrot as a feathered adoptee. While it is true some adoptees are less than civil, Athan has shown through her own experiences that there may be a diamond in the rough underneath those bristling feathers. (Mattie Sue Athan's experiences with her two adopted Grey Parrots, Bongo I and Bongo II are documented on her web site).

Many pet birds are passed on by owners who are dead, too old, too sick, or move to less accommodating quarters. Many of these older birds need only a short period of getting to know you and TLC to become your best buddy. I've become a believer. Having adopted two Cockatiels two years ago who had terrorized everyone at the animal shelter and had them become two big sweeties I know what a little TLC can do. The sweetest bird I own, however, is a "hand-me-down Conure" with two previous owners. My Conure is also the biggest bird I own and the least nippy. Every morning he says "Give me a kiss" which I happily do with a "Thank-you" as my reward. "Used" birds frequently can talk and have learned cute tricks.

Athan offers all sorts of tips on how to get your birds to comply with various challenges you might offer such as bathing, destroying toys instead of your books, and kissing not nipping when you offer your cheek or stick your hand in their cage. In her section on "The Corrective Environment" she shows how many of the tics the new-old bird learned were brought on by cramped, boring, and/or dirty quarters. It is amazing what a little space and a new toy will do to improve an outlook.