Product Description

Psittacines are maintained in captivity as pets, in the home, as breeding birds in avicultures, in zoos and in conservation projects. Because of their intelligence, playfulness and ability in mimicry, psittacines are the most widely kept companion birds. In the wild, these birds are normally social, living with others. In captivity most are kept in a cage without other birds. The advantage of caging psittacines is that they are more likely to become tame and develop their powers of mimicry. The disadvantage, however, is that in this environment, psittacines develop behavior problems that can take many forms, including biting, screeching and self-mutilation. It is estimated that more than half of the cases presented to clinicians in companion psittacine practice are the result of behavioral problems - problems inherent to the caged psittacine. Bringing together a host of international experts on avian behavior, Andrew Leuscher explores the many facets of psittacine behavior, both normal and abnormal, and offers useful techniques of diagnosis and treatment for clinicians who see birds in practice. Species covered include Macaws, Amazon Parrots, African Grey Parrots, Cockatiels, Budgerigars and Cockatoos. This authoritative reference, the first of its kind, is a necessary addition to the library of any practitioner who sees avian companion animals.

Contents: 1. The Classification and the Status of Wild Populations of Parrots 2. Behavior of Wild Amazona and Rhynchopsitta Parrots with Comparative Insights from other Psittacines 3. Parrot Conservation, Trade and Reintroduction 4. Sensory Capacities of Parrots 5. Social Behavior of Psittacine Birds6. Captive parrot nutrition: interactions with anatomy, physiology, and behavior. 7. Comfort Behavior and Sleep 8. Parrot Reproductive Behavior, or Who Associates, Who Mates, and Who Cares 9. Nest Box Preferences 10. Hand-rearing: behavioral impacts and implications for captive parrot welfare 11. Behavioral Development of Psittacine Companions: Neonates, Neophytes and Fledglings 12. Handler Attitude and Chick Development 13. Grey Parrot Cognition and Communication 14. How Parrots Learn 15. Behavior Classes in the Veterinary Hospital: Preventing Problems Before They Start 16. Clinical Evaluation of Psittacine Behavioral Disorders 17. Diagnostic Workup of Suspected Behavioral Problems 18. Feeding-Related Problems 19. Aggressive Behavior in Pet Birds 20. Parrot Vocalization 21. Parrots and Fear 22. Problem Sexual Behaviors of Companion Parrots 23. Mate Trauma 24. Feather Picking Disorder in Pet Birds 25. Psittacine Behavioral Pharmacotherapy 26. Behavior of Captive Psittacids in the Breeding Aviary 27. Housing and Management Considerations for Problem Prevention 28. Captive Parrot Welfare

About the Author: Andrew Luescher, DVM, PhD is Director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Purdue University. He established the Animal Behavior Clinic in 1997 and is certified as an applied animal behaviorist by the Animal Behavior Society and is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. He has been treating companion animals with behavioral problems for more than 15 years.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #207025 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 352 pages

From the Back Cover
This authoritative reference, the first of its kind, is a necessary addition to the library of any practitioner or behaviorist who sees avain companion animals. Because of their beauty, intelligence, playfulness and ability in mimicry, parrots are the most widely kept companion birds. It is estimated that more than half of the psittacine cases presented to clinicians are the result of behavioral problems-problems inherent to captivity.

Bringing together a host of international experts on avian behavior, Manual of Parrot Behavior explores the many facets of psittacine behavior, both normal and abnormal. The book not only provides readers with a solid understanding of the basic principles of psittacine behavior but also offers useful techniques of diagnosis and treatment for specific problems.

• Covers both normal and abnormal parrot behavior


• Offers practical techniques on diagnosis and treatment of behavior problems


• Written by a team of international experts on avian behavior


• A necessary addition to the library of any practitioner of behaviorist who sees avian companion animals

About the Author
Andrew Luescher, DVM, PhD is Director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Purdue University. He established the Animal Behavior Clinic in 1997 and is certified as an applied animal behaviorist by the Animal Behavior Society and is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. He has been treating companion animals with behavioral problems for more than 15 years

Customer Reviews

Invaluable.
Any veterinary library or holding specializing in pets - even at the public library level - will want to have Manual of Parrot Behavior in the collection: it's the first detailed reference of its kind to provide a survey by international experts on parrot behavior under one cover. Here are keys to both normal and abnormal parrot behavior, techniques on treating common problems, and checklists of tameness and other scores. Invaluable.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Must have for parrot owners wanting the best info available.
I am an avid reader of anything parrot and this book has useful information that explains parrot behavior as well as health issues.
Add this to your bird library..it is a great reference!

manual of parrot behavior
Excellent! a must have for anyone. Lots of valuable information.Recomend for people with some knowledge of keeping parrots.