Exquisite Exotics Aviary
Our Favorite Books
This is our recommended reading list.
We have found the books listed both informative and entertaining.
When choosing books about the care and keeping of exotic birds, please check the copyright date. Information in older volumes may not be accurate. The information in more current books will reflect the latest research and give you the most accurate and up to date information. I believe the best way to develop a great relationship with your companion parrot is to use the science of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and positive reinforcement to empower your pet to make good choices in how he behaves. Unfortunately, there are many authors who suggest the use of behavior modification strategies that are truly punishing, yet masquaraded as a "positive" approach to behavior modification by the use of misleading "nice" labels for the techniques. There is no doubt that punishing strategies will work to modify your pet's behavior, it works and can work quickly, but is that truly how you want to share your life with your bird? It is well documented that punishement can have far reaching negative side effects. Punishement can lead to mistrust, withdrawl, escalating aggressive behavior, generalized fear and phobias. There are excellent and effective ways to empower your bird to make good behavior choices using ABA and positive reinforcement. It is my hope that all bird owners will choose to use the most positive and least intrusive measures to shape and modify the behavior of their companion parrots.
It is highly important that you read the information in any book or periodical with a critical eye. As you digest the information you are reading, especially the "behavior training" information, please ask yourself these important questions:
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Is this advice suggesting a truly positive approach to working with my bird?
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If I follow this advice will I be truly empowering my bird to make a choice to behave in the appropriate way.
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There are authors who use words with soothing and comforting connotations to label actions that are really punishing and restrictive to the pet. Don't be lulled into thinking "It must be "pet empowering" and a positive reinforcer just because the author says it is." Actions labeled with "nice" sounding words can be truly positive and empowering for your pet but they can also be misleading. Scrutinize what the author is asking you to do. Think about why the bird will be responding. Is he trying to escape a negative stimulus? Have you removed something that was a positive reinforcer to "punish"? If you do what the author is suggesting with/to your bird, will your bird be behaving (reacting) because he is making a choice to do something he wants to do or will his behavior (reaction) be because he is trying to escape a punishement? It is always best to choose to the most positive and least intrusive reinforcement possible in shaping the behavior of your parrot.
We have placed a red star in front of the books we feel will be particularily helpful to the new Congo owner.
Karen Pryor
Karen is the author of many scientific papers and monographs and seven books. She is founder and leading proponent of clicker training, a worldwide movement involvng new ways to communicate positively with companion animals.
* Don't Shoot the Dog By Karen Pryor Don't let the title fool you........yes, it says "Dog" but this is the "Bible" on positive reinforcement training, or "operant conditioning," and how it works with people and pets, inclucing, of course, our beloved companion parrots.
Barbara Heidenreich
Books by author Barbara Heidenreich. Barbara is an author, trainer, bird owner and animal lover. She holds a degree in Zoology. She promotes the human animal bond through positive reinforcement. She has trained birds and staff around the country and is much in demand as a speaker at avian conferenced. Barbara founded "Good Bird Inc." in response to a growing interest in positive reinforcement training with parrots.
*Good Bird! A Guide to Solving Behavior Problems in Companion Parrots.
By Barbara Heidenreich. An easy to read step by step guide that uses positive reinforcement for teaching your parrot acceptable behavior.
* The Parrot Problem Solver. Finding Solutions to Aggressive Behavior
By Barbara Heidenreich. Excellent advice and direction to improve aggression behaviorin parrots.
Good Bird Magazine
Good Bird®Magazine is the ultimate resource for individuals seeking to learn kind and gentle ways to create desired parrot behavior. Our primary focus is behavior from an applied behavior analysis approach with an emphasis on positive reinforcement training. However we also cover other topics related to the well being of parrots in our homes and in the wild. You don’t have to miss a single enlightening copy of this wonderful publication. As of 3/07 Ms. Heidenreich has made back issue copies available for a small fee. You can purchase and download the digital versions in PDF format through her website at www.goodbirdinc.com
Dr. Susan G. Friedman Ph.D.
Dr. Friedman is an applied behaviorist and a professor at the University of Utah. She has written extensively on the topics of learning and behavior. She is active in teaching animal behavior workshops and has a special interest in parrots. Susan also contributes and participates in several companion parrot behavior Internet groups.
Susan teaches an acclaimed online course designed to introduce and teach participants how parrots learn. The 8 week course, called Living and Learning with Parrots, the Fundamental Principals of Behavior (LLP) includes weekly lectures and is highly dependant on interaction between students and teachers. By understanding the fundamental principles of learning and behavior and the associated teaching technology, caregivers can facilitate successful parrot behaviors for lasting companionship. More information about Susan and her Internet LLP course can be found at her website: http://www.behaviorworks.org/
Read some of Susan's articles at
www.thegabrielfoundation.org/HTML/friedman.htm
Most of these books are available through http://www.Amazon.com
Another good resource is http://avianpublications.com
Please let us know if you have trouble locating any of them. We will be happy to offer a list of sources for the books.
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