Rating: 
Summary: Very good book, great overview of African Greys
Review: As a new owner of a CAG, I found this book to be very insightful and interesting. It offers a good overview of African Greys and is a must-have for a new parrot owner.
Rating: 
Summary: It's about time!
Review: Finally a book that addresses the specific and unique needs of the African Grey Parrot!After working with a non-profit parrot rescue organization for several years, I came to realize that behavioral techniques that work with other types of birds are not always successful with African Greys. I looked everywhere for information that would help me understand how to approach and direct the sensitive nature of these birds. All of the books on African Greys I could find really only addressed basics bird care and breeding issues. The African Grey Parrot Handbook by Mattie Sue Athan and Dianalee Deter is the book that addresses all of my questions about African Greys. Not only does it contain useful information about the general characteristics and nutritional needs of African Greys, it gives advice about proper socialization techniques, special housing requirements and suggestions for dealing with behavioral problems. I would recommend that anyone who has a African Grey Parrot, or is thinking of owning one purchase this book and keep it handy! The African Grey Handbook is full of useful information presented in a format that is easy to read and use for reference. There are also entertaining stories which serve as examples to illustrate the topic being discussed. After working to rehabilitate numerous African Grey parrots who have developed behavior problems such as biting and feather pulling, I wish that every African Grey would come with a copy of this book!
Rating:
Summary: Required Reading for Grey Enthusiasts
Review: Get this book! I have a companion Grey parrot that was a rescue bird who had started some wicked screaming for attention that I was sure would get me evicted! I bought the book as well as her Guide to the Well Behaved Parrot and Guide to Companion Parrot Behavior. They changed everything! I now live harmoniously with 6 well behaved parrots--the Grey no longer screams and we are VERY HAPPY. I owe this in large part to these excellent books. The author has years of experience and knowledge about African Greys. Anyone who wants a grey should read it BEFORE they bring the bird home. Anyone who has a grey should read it because greys live a long time and are highly intelligent--this book will help solve everything from screaming behaviors to health issues. I strongly recommend this book as well as her others. this is essential reading.
Rating: 
Summary: A little "out there".
Review: I am huge animal fan (this is my first parrot, however). I definitely recognize that animals posess a certain intelligence that human beings are unable to pick up on, but Mattie Sue Athan, however, has taken this concept way too far. She's attached emotional and intellectual attributes to African Grey parrots that are almost as complex as our own. She nearly, had it not been for my better judgment, left me with the impression that I was going to purchase an animal that would play mind games with me.....and win! It's almost as if she's trying to admonish or even discourage people from purchasing Greys by suggesting that only the elite and competent few can manage them. African Greys are indeed intelligent parrots that do need some special training, but they're still "just" parrots and will never outsmart a doctor! I've left this book in my desk drawer, for the most part, and my Congo Grey and I are working out great. Although he's still very young (less than a year), his behavior has been overall problem-free. Should I find myself in trouble, though, I may give this "handbook" another look. This book does contain some useful information regarding how to care for your bird and how to deal with certain behaviors, however, these tidbits of readily usable information which we need the most are few and far between. This book hardly qualifies as a handbook, as too much of it is devoted to exaggerated psychoanalyses of the bird's mind; why it does this, what it's thinking when it does that, etc. etc. Although overall interesting, perhaps this book would have been more useful had she left the "why the bird does this" text to the end of the book. Three stars, because she sounds like she knows some of what she's talking about.
Rating:
Summary: A most excellent book!
Review: I have an African Grey named Rover and she is three years old, she is very well adjusted and a delight to have around. Before I got Rover I was told the optimum time to acquire an African Grey was just after weaning, some told me to finish out the last few days of hand feeding and wean the bird myself. I had been told that any bird older than that would not properly bond with me and not make the best companion and that the bird would most likely exhibit behavioral problems. When I found Rover she was ten and a half months old and was still with her clutch mates. I was hesitant to purchase her but I instantly fell in love with her and she showed interest in me also. I told myself that somehow we would work through the problems that we would surely have. Aside from a brief getting to know each other period the problems never have materialized. I thought that I had just gotten lucky. After reading The African Grey Parrot Handbook I find that I had actually got her at the perfect age. I guess I did get lucky! I have also learned some very interesting and useful facts about Grey behavior such as why they tear up paper, now I know that is because she loves me and not because she is bored. I can stop worrying now, because I have a tool that can answer virtually any question that I have about the African Grey. The African Grey Parrot Handbook is like an instruction manual for the African Grey. This book is most informative and full of anecdotal stories and illustrations beneficial to the African Grey owner. Easy to understand with an index for quick and easy future references. Any one who is owned by an African Grey should most defiantly own this book.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book!
Review: I have well over a dozen parrot related books and subscribe to BirdTalk and Parrot USA. I rank this book at the top.Well written, very informative and thoroughly researched.
Definitely one of the best resource books available.
Rating:
Summary: Barron's best and most useful pet book, by far!
Review: I've read several pet keeping books published by Barron's and been disappointed by all opf them EXCEPT this one. This is a must-have for any African Grey enthusiast. I also recommend adding KEEPING AFRICAN GREY PARROTS. Each book is excellent but greatness is achieved by combining the two books.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: It's VERY,VERY helpful+easy to understand. The pictures are also very good too. I know a fair amount about this species,+ I learned from this book!
Rating:
Summary: Barron's Pet Handbooks the African Grey Parrot Handbook
Review: Mattie Sue Athan has done it again! And this time--co-authoring with Dianalee Deter, has given us an excellent guide to owning the complex African grey parrot. These authors have written comprehensive, thorough and easy to read advice to anyone thinking of living with one of these intelligent parrots. Novices, as well as experts, can glean new knowledge herein, and can totally put their trust in the hands of these two. Mattie Sue Athan, as always, is a parrot's best friend. This book is a wonderful addition to MSA's Guide to Companion Parrot Behavior and Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot, which no parrot owner should be without. I reference mine time and time again. Now, if only my African grey could type, I know she would give it 5 stars herself!
Rating:
Summary: african gray parrots
Review: these are very smart birds and they need a lot of attention
to keep them happy. theyre like 2-3 year old children. be
sure to do your homework with books like these if you
are thinking of getting one-- and make sure you have the
time to give the bird a lot of companionship.
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