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Of Parrots and People: The Sometimes Funny, Always Fascinating, and Often Catastrophic Collision of Two Intelligent Species
by
Mira Tweti
There are an estimated 50 million parrots kept as pets the U.S. alone, their numbers surpassed only by dogs and cats, yet these complex creatures are not your typical domesticated animal, and they remain a mystery to many. Most people donÂ’t know that parrots score at the level of 3-to-5 year olds on human intelligence tests. Nor that they can live to 100 years or more. N...more
Hardcover, 368 pages
Published
August 14th 2008
by Viking Adult
(first published 2008)
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Very informative and moving account of what we are doing to this planet. The sum of it all is we have destroyed the habitats around us and then also have made these intelligent animals basically our slaves. I who have birds as pets, now find myself loathing the decision to have ever done this. I love them and care for them. And as I know birds I know they love me back and have made me part of their flock. But I wonder to the quality of their lives and wonder if they dream of another world. ...more
Reading this and "The Dangerous World of Butterflies" convinces me that I don't want to read anymore of this type of book. The author of Butterflies was shockingly ignorant of them, which was annoying. Mira Tweti does not have that problem but she obviously espouses the ideas of PETA--she quotes them frequently--and does not believe any birds should be kept as pets. I'm not sure whether this is true or not, but I am sure that her coverage of the subject is slanted to reflect her own be...more
OMG! My perspective on parrots has completely changed after reading this book! It's got some amazing information, but also horrifying accounts of past and present methods used to trap wild parrots, which continues to cause their numbers to steadily decline. Because of this harsh reality that the author presents, reading this book is like watching a train wreck, too terrifying to even think about, but impossible to tear your eyes away. As a zoologist & animal lover, I almost did stop reading ...more
I did not finish this because the dog ate it, which is becoming an unfortunate theme in my life these days. I believe this book chewing was motivated by species prejudice on the part of the dog, and we are working with her on tolerance for all animals.
The first third of this book, which I did read, was a very, very compelling argument for why people should not keep parrots as pets. The author frequently mentioned that the number of unwanted pet parrots is rising even as the wild popula...more
The first third of this book, which I did read, was a very, very compelling argument for why people should not keep parrots as pets. The author frequently mentioned that the number of unwanted pet parrots is rising even as the wild popula...more
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This is an important and well written book about the relationship between humans and parrots. It looks at several levels of interaction, from the personal level of keeping parrots as pets to the broader social and ecological issues. The author doesn't mince words when talking about the violence brought about against animals, which is distressing, but not gratuitous. I sought this book out because of my personal interests, but I think it will be enlightening to anyone interested in animal welfare...more
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With the title Of Parrots And People I was looking foward to reading a book of "feel good" type stories between parrots and people. The author herself Mira Tweti, wrote the book because she fell totally in love with her own pet parrot. Turns out my expectations were way off. The book is a continuous collection of sordid, disturbing, and often, down right depressing, accounts of people involved in all aspects of the parrot business. No one is spared. Not the breeders, the trappers,th...more
Very well written and researched, but depressing. I have looked at the parrots in PetSmart and wondered about them, but had no idea what the situation was. It is interesting that PetCo stopped selling them as I know Paul Jolly (VP of their charity foundation) and he has an aviary of rescued birds.
The book was published in 2008, but I never heard of it. I read it for the bird book club.
The book was published in 2008, but I never heard of it. I read it for the bird book club.
Jennifer
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
animal lovers, curious folk, anyone with a heart or a conscience (or maybe those who are lacking)
Shelves:
animals,
non-fiction
People, this book is knocking my socks right off. It might be the best non-fiction book I've ever read, and I'm convinced that it is probably one of the most important books out there about the relationship between humans and animals. Dispels myths & raises questions about bird ownership, and talks about conservation/rescue efforts. Anecdotes will alternately make you laugh and weep.
p.s. Now that I've finished reading, I think I'd lower my rating slightly to 4.5 stars, mostly beca...more
p.s. Now that I've finished reading, I think I'd lower my rating slightly to 4.5 stars, mostly beca...more
The author started off very good and had many good points. By the end of the book, she got way over the top, equating the plight of parrots with the imminent death of planet Earth. Skip the conclusion and you'll find a better book.
Lady couldn't figure out if she was saying parrots are great, and fabulous companions, or that the parrot industry is awful so we shouldn't keep parrots. So she said both. Could have been a New Yorker article or 2.
Katrin
is currently reading it
This book is a must read for anyone interested in owning a parrot. I consider myself pretty up on animal issues, but the world of pet parrots is pretty shocking.
The descriptions of cruelty in this book were very difficult for me to read, but my eyes have now been opened to the brutality of the parrot trade. I am now aware that these creatures should not be kept as pets. I have scheduled a visit to a local sanctuary to learn more.
Interesting but depressing.
Dee
marked it as to-read
Started a discussion on this book at AnAG ... If you have read this book or will be starting come and share your views... http://www.anafricangrey.ca/forum/
Fascinating topic, but the author was biased in a bad way, and drew contradictory conclusions. Could have used more intellectual rigor.
Interesting in the parts about psittacine intelligence. The chapters on cruel stupid things people do to parrots made me angry /sad.
Jessica
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