First Edition of The Parrot Wizard's Guide to Well Behaved Parrots

Absolutely marvelous. I could write a lot of words, but I would never be able to express all of my gratitude towards Michael for writing this book. It is the one to read for someone who would like to have the best possible relationship with a parrot. I bought a couple of caiques recently and despite that in the past I had cockatiel and a budgie, I was complete ignorant that there could be any other type of relationship with a bird than just a nice singing object living in the house. My caiques happened to be very active and different from the birds I had before, so I started to search the information in the internet, found Michael webside and purchased some parrot products from there. I saw how complex and intelligent a bird could be, but I had no clue how even to start interacting with them. I did all possible mistakes not experienced parrot owner could do, I was desperate since it seemed that my parrots were suffering with me a lot, so I decided to buy Michael’s book. When the book finally arrived and I red it, I understood how bad I was with my parrots, and why they were screaming, biting and not being happy. Instead of making them happy, I was on my route to the disastrous relationship. The book changed everything for me. It helped me to realize that despite parrots are extremely intelligent and sensitive and it is difficult for them to live in the cage, that there is a way to make them and me being happy together. I’m still learning how to come into the level of beautiful interaction with a bird books describes, but everything is different now and all thanks to this book. I loved everything about it, the style, the quantity and quality of information, everything written in such a direct, honest and very informative way. I do not know how I could have managed the interaction with my birds without this book. I think that everybody who would like to have a parrot should read this book first. It gives very good idea about what parrot is and what are the pros and cons to have one. Sometimes when I observe my parrots now, I remember sentences from the book and everything is much more clear and easier. What I like the most is not only advices and the way to create the harmonious relationship with a parrot, but also how Michael explains openly how difficult sometimes to deal with a parrot and how fragile, intelligent, miraculous and nice they are. Without this book, I would have needed years to understand simple things to start my relationship with a parrot. I think I always will come back to read parts of it to improve my understanding and my behavior with my caiques. This is definitely the only one book one needs to read to start. I’m so grateful to Michael for sharing his experience with parrots. He knows a lot about birds phycology and really loves them and his ideas about the bird behavior is a truly jewelry.

This book is an absoloute must for any new Bird parent. Whether you have a Sun Conure or a Hyacinth Macaw, they should make every potential owner read this book before getting their bird. That is how much of a believer we are in this book and how mportant it is, rather the better word is ESSENTIAL for bird ownership. To develop and foster a healthy, happy and mutually enriching life together, between humans and avians. I was skeptical at first, a book really... with all the YouTube and whatever other resources are available. But the book is a must. I read it like one of my medical textbooks and made dozens of bookmarks. It is a must to get if you have a bird and want it to live like its best life like your dog. Not like a caged prisoner. It is only because of Michael we started so early building all the fundamentals for flight, recall. Even harness training.... Amazing. Just understanding your birds psychology. Reinforcing good behaviors, avoiding bad ones. The PW Book should be prescribed text for all new bird owners. Even the process of teaching her to accept the harness and the process in how to do so. Slowly, deliberately and in a trusting loving manner filled with positive reinforcement. You and your bird will get massive dividends back from the time and energy you spend learning and mastering the skills in this book.

This is an amazing book on parrots. I love the way he applies the book to the variety of parrots, and while I don't have a parakeet when it's needed he'll give notations if that is what you are training, which it great for those who have the smaller bird. I especially love his section on food, as I used to train dogs professionally with a clicker, and when I got my parrot I thought I'd see if it would work on the bird, after I got his book, I was able to switch a few things around and it worked even better!! I love his love of the animal, it shows in his writing. If you own a parrot I think this is a must, even for parakeet owners. I trained a parakeet when I was 13 years old, long time ago, and I did it without the help of a book. I was an animal lover and patient teenager though. Still as much as I put into my little friend, and as great as he was at doing the tricks I taught him, this book would have been a huge asset. He also has an awesome website as well. I found out about it when my clickers arrived from amazon with a card. His website is http ://parrotwizard .com/ (No spaced)... I love my parrot! I love this book, it's great at teaching you how to create a bond that will help you keep your bird! A happy bird, makes a happy owner and this book shows you how to accomplish this. As long as you have patience and the ability to follow the directions this book will give you the results you are looking for. Thanks again for writing this book and helping the Parrots out there, this book is as much for them as their humans, if we learn to do things right, then shelters will have less Parrots dropped off. I just can't say enough good things about this book... :)

Read half of this book in less than a couple hours. The reason I can't give this book 5 stars is because it is a general overview, a sort of framework of parrot training philosophy constructed by the parrrot wizzard. The problem with a general framework is when it relies on critical foundations to which all subsequent actions arise. In the case of this framework (i.e. the guide to getting a parrot well behaved with everything you want) he argues that this critical foundation is trust and meal management. However, the book fails in delivering the detail of meal management required of a book that claims to be based predominately on meal management and trust. I have trust with my GCC conure, but I had no idea to meal plan/manage his meals. I was very excited to read the chapter on food management but found myself incredibly frustrated with the vague or cursory introduction to meal planning, even though he will continually state that it is critical to all the behaviors that you want from your parrot. He basically states to "consult an avian vet." He vaguely states to feed 2 times a day, but does not provide the critical detail necessary for the nutrition that he proclaims to be critical to the health of the birds. I could buy a supplemental book on conure diets but I was hoping this book would provide an easy approach. All in all, however, the book is at the same time one of the greatest bridges between clueless or novice humans and their wonderful parrots and provides a brilliant framework. To fix the 'flaw' of this book, I would suggest to the author to write follow up books each delving into the complexities within each section (i.e. a book on biting , or a book on meal management). The book is basically brilliant. I can't really say 'flaw; because it is obvious he presented a framework but I don't think he quiet understands that this framework is not sufficient and that more writing will be necessary to really get his message across. Impressive nonetheless in its clarity, passion, and candid nature for a first time writer. I am sure he will only get better w/time in writing and I plan to buy his future books as well in a heartbeat.

I almost never write book reviews but I had to go out of my way for this one. I have owned parrots for many years and I have volunteered at a bird rescue in North Carolina. Having this background, I find this book extremely helpful. Some of the information in the book I already knew from my own experience, but Michael explains why my hunches are right and how my actions should be repeated every day for better trained parrot. Other things have never occurred to me, such as proper weight management of the parrots. I always thought that my bird should have plenty of food in his cages at all times, but that's not the case. That also explains why my parrot was not really motivated to learn new tricks for food - he is already full! Duh. I also like the realistic, non-sugar coated approach Michael adopts for the readers. Parrot is NOT a good pet for most households, and this is the first time I saw someone else plainly say it (moreover, in a book!) and explain why. Parrot, no matter the size, is like a little kid who might live to be 80 years old. Parrot is a commitment, but also the best friend you might have. I saw all too often parents walking in the pet store with their kids and buying a budgie (small green, blue, white, or yellow parrots) because it seems like a fun pet and only costs $20. Big, big mistake. Get goldfish instead. Finally, this book is a collection of instructions on how to do all the cool things with your bird that you wanted to do, but never knew how: put the harness on, take the bird outside, let him fly outside, teach him not to be scared of strangers and new situations... And of course, I am dying to teach my parrot to fall over "dead" when I "shoot" him as Michael does in one of his youtube videos. Definitely check those out if you are a visual learner or a new parrot owner. Some of the training details described in the book might make more sense in video format. However, the book also has an appendix with very helpful photos.

I found this book after watching Michaels videos on YouTube. I have a conure and a cockatiel. I purchased by birds from an amazing bird store in Dayton,Ohio called Sugar creek bird farm... they have a World class knowledge of birds and parrot care. This book was the perfect addition to my knowledge base, as the Parrot Wizard-Michael Sazhin takes bird ownership to whole new level- laying out in detail how to create a well behaved pet bird that creates an enriching relationship for both yourself and the bird. The days of unhealthy birds, feather plucking, and Mis-managed pet birds should be a thing of the past if EVERY parrot owner read this book. THIS IS THE AUTHORITY ON HOW TO TAME, TRAIN, AND MAINTAIN A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR FEATHERED FRIEND. As a bird owner who has been looking for a true resource on complete bird care- my search is over. THANK YOU, MICHAEL!

This is a self-published book on clicker-training parrots. I bought it because I like the author's instructional youtube videos on parrot clicker training. I didn't have a problem with the lack of pictures. It is extremely poorly-edited, as some other reviewers have noted, with many typos. I did not know anything about clicker training parrots prior to reading this book, although I did know about other training methods and about general parrot care. The reason I think the book is only okay is because it doesn't really address how to manage negative behaviors that your bird might already have developed, for instance, in a rescue bird situation. It's mostly for people who are getting a new baby bird. Likewise, I disagree strongly with the author's assertion that cockatiels (for reasons left unexplained) do well on a seed-based diet. Finally, perhaps the most controversial thing in the book is the author's repeated assertion that feather trimming on the wings to restrict flight is a terrible practice for a parrot's psyche. He doesn't provide any evidence beyond his opinion and an appeal to human empathy with animals for why it is so terrible. I would have liked to have read a more evidence-based argument about why not to trim feathers. Most vets think you are doing your bird a grave disservice by not trimming because they hear about the worst cases of injury and loss. So if you do decide to buy this book, take it's advice with a few grains of salt and check the facts with your avian vet.

I cannot say enough about Michael's wonderful methods and training insight! My little budgie was scared of everything and bitey, wouldn't socialize and was wary of anything and everyone that came within 4 feet of her cage. Come to find out we were doing everything wrong. Birds are NOT dogs or cats and will not respond to the same treatment. After reading this book and applying the positive reinforcement methods, Edda is a different bird! She actively seeks human attention and has become cuddly, funny, playful and loves the freedom of being outside her cage on flights through the house (closely supervised). She will routinely jump from the cage, fly to the sofa and just hang with us while we work on the computers or watch TV. When she has had enough she goes back to her home cage by herself. We keep the cage door open most of the time when we are in the room, unless we're cooking or cleaning and don't want her to be in danger. She is curious enough that she would come check out what's for dinner and she would LOVE to take a bath in the sink while we're washing dishes.. Thank you Michael for a wonderful book!

Michael Sazhin truly is the parrot wizard. I have 3 parrots. I’m experienced and have had training from certified parrot behaviourists, and this book is by far the best source of knowledge and advice for how to interact and understand parrots out there.

Great condition well worth the money it's like a bible of bird training

Found book very basic and the way it is written and printed it would be suited for a young child to read with their bird

Nicely explained. Worth a lot

In all honesty if you just Moodle round youtube you will find more useful info, this is just simplistic blabbering that will not tell you enough about any aspect of parrot management to be useful. Just a poorly written boring bunch of snippets of incomplete information. Very expensive, not worth it AVOID