"With so many books published on Parrots and their care, how do we know which books contain the best information"? "It can be confusing"!

This is a very good question and one I've not heard asked very often. For almost twenty years I have read and researched many various parrot books which provide information on most anything that can be thought of that has to do with psittacines.

I totally agree that it can be very confusing, especially to beginning bird owners, which need to begin their learning process through "BASIC" care guides/books (or through knowledgable owners). I have often heard experienced parrot owners recommend medically technical, indepth reading material to beginners and it's no wonder they get confused! Information like that can be confusing to "advanced" birders.

It truly cannot be said that any particular book/guide is not correct or helpful in many ways. For each book that is written, there is ONE person's opinion and knowledge as it is viewed by "that" person. So naturally, there are so many opinions out there that they can't be numbered. Experience and hands-on learning is always the best teacher and will quickly teach bird owners that just because it's published in a book...doesn't necessarily make that person's opinion the most logical. Just as myself with this article...some will agree and some won't.

So...which books should we be reading? Through my research I have discussed this subject with some avian vets and most of their concerns about getting information from varied reading materials is very much as I view it. It's wonderful to have information right at our finger-tips, but we should be aware that Avian Science is continally progressing with many new, previously unknown discoveries which are absent in most all books published before the year 2000. Medicines that are discussed in many older works have far disappeared and new one's brought into place. The same goes for many area's of Parrot issue's and not only is it our responsibility (for our parrots sakes), but it's important to keep up with the avian world and keep our knowledge up-dated so that we can provide our parrots and those we offer advice to with the best possible care and information. Sometimes just learning bird issue's that are considered "small" or "simple" can help us understand many things that we may have previously been a bit in the dark about.

Pertaining to books, many parrot owner's/book author's, are open-minded when it comes to viewing different opinions. Other's simply know more than any book published (in their perspective) and will not see another's view. Though sad but true, heated debates occur due to information in so many volumns of work and undoubtedly will always occur. When reading the perspectives of author's, due to such various idea's, It's important to keep an open mind. By way of one's own experience, basic bird knowledge, and close attention to our parrots is practically a guarantee to finding answers in the area of parrot basics.

It is my "Say-So" that when searching for informative books to bring one in touch with the up- dated avian issue's, try subscribing to a popular Pet Bird/Parrot magazine. With books, check the copyright (year) in which the book was published. For beginners, stay away from older volumns and seek out those published AFTER 2001. Older volumns have TOO many quick medical remedies (amongst other quick remedies) that were experimented with but was not PROVEN to be effective. I'm not suggesting that reading older volumns is not to be done as some have accurate, helpful information (and should be added as informational reading AFTER learning the basics), but it is generally in the area's of parrot basics i.e.;Feeding, training, taming, breeding and rearing, common diseases, housing etc., all of which have been updated beyond the year 2000. Sadly, there hasn't been many new works published in the past few years that doesn't contain the same repeated information, and that's why I suggest parrot magazine subscriptions which are current.

The internet has lots of information though one shouldn't believe EVERY site they visit to be "good information." Groups and message boards are a great way to learn, but then again, one groups' theories will differ entirely from another group. The key to learning is common sense along with the amount of "desire to know." Many people have problems affording avian vet visits and though that's understandable it is no excuse to try to administer medical treatment to birds via a book. Responsible parrot owners will care for their birds as they would their children and the avian vet visits are a major part of a parrots longevity and freedom from any illnesses. NEVER rely on a book to treat an ill parrot! Let a qualified avian vet treat your birds.

Summary

For beginning parrot owners, reading is the major key to acquiring information and furthering education. Without access to written information our knowledge on parrots/birds would be very limited. What you read in books (even out-dated ones) the basics for parrot husbandry is practically the same. From small parrots to larger parrots... they all require the same "type" of husbandry. Always get more than one opinion and take any information lightly until you are assured of it's practicality and if it's correct when applied. There are many experienced and knowledgable parrot owners in the world....they just haven't written books. Many authors have written books yet have only raised a parrot or two, and take their information naturally, from other author's opinions. This is why there are no really up-dated books now.

The important thing is to stay in tune with aviculture and it's changes or recent finds. Seek information from the latest volumns of works and from fanciers/owner's that "keep up" with parrot care. The information is out there...and it's authenticity will be found amongst those that are continually in touch with the avian world.

Good Luck!

until next week..........