The Second-Hand Parrot

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Summary: The Second-Hand Parrot
Review: Mattie Sue and Dianalee have done it again! Put together an excellent book for all of us who have taken in second-hand parrots. The infomation is in depth, easy to understand and gives us all a new way of looking at things. The personal stories are a great treat for the reader. I highly recomend all bird lovers read this book, if they have a second-hand bird or not.

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Summary: Read this book even if all your parrots are "first-hand"!
Review: Please don't let the title convince you this book is only for people with "re-homed" parrots! It also offers valuable information for AVOIDING losing your companion, and what to do if you find a lost companion parrot. Parrots are lost not just to "fly-aways", but to changing life circumstances in their human flock. This book provides practical tips to help keep the parrot in its home even during times of shifting family responsibilities. Then, of course, it also provides important advice for building trust in the "re-homed" parrot. I HAVE HAD A HARD TIME TRACKING THIS BOOK DOWN IN BOOKSTORES, so I am pleased to find it readily available on Amazon.

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Summary: First-rate info from two experts in the field
Review: 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.