Of Parrots and People: The Sometimes Funny, Always Fascinating, and Often Catastrophic Collision of Two Intelligent Species - Hardcover

Tweti, Mira

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0670019690 ISBN 13: 9780670019694

Publisher: Viking Pr, 2008

Synopsis

Citing the parrot's intelligence and popularity as an American pet of choice, a behavioral and cultural report traces the legal and illicit trade of valuable species, describes ongoing efforts to regulate breeding, and evaluates the intricate relationship between parrots and people. 30,000 first printing.

About this title

Review:

aParrots can not only learn to talk but understand the meaning of many words for they are highly intelligent. Some are clad in glorious plumage. Not surprising that they have long been sought after as pets or research subjects and Mira Tweti shares engaging stories about individual parrots and their dedicated owners. But she also tells of the multitude of parrots suffering in captivity, and how the pet trade has brought many species to the brink of extinction in the wild. Informative, compassionate and very entertaining, "Of Parrots and People" is a book for animal lovers everywhere.a
--Jane Goodall Ph.D., DBE, Founder a the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace
aMira Tweti's beautifully argued and meticulously researched book is, without question, the most important book published on the state of our relationship with parrots. It is required reading for anyone interested in animal welfare, environmental issues, and changing society's relationship to the natural world and the creatures in it.a
--Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO, The Human Society of the United States
aThis book conveys the immeasurable joy of parrots as companion animals, but also serves as a warning to those who may underestimate the emotional demands of these brainy birds. Mira Tweti provides an engagingly written, passionate plea to take the parrot-human relationship very seriously.a
-- Frans de Waal, Ph.D., author of "Our Inner Ape"
a"Of Parrots and People" is a winner on numerous fronts. Extremely well researched and easy to read, Mira Twetias book offers a comprehensive view of what it's like to be a parrot in a human-dominated world. Blending solid scientific research withcompelling personal stories, this fascinating book offers yet more reasons why we must increase our compassionate footprint now, not later when it may be more convenient to do so. The next time someone tells me I'm a birdbrain, I'll wink, smile, and walk away having felt that I've been royally complimented. I'll share this book widely - it is that good.a
-- Marc Bekoff, University of Colorado; author of "The Emotional Lives of Animals"
a"Of Parrots and People" is a long, loud, heartrending squawk for the rights of the captive parrot: a vibrantly social higher intelligence usually condemned for life to solitary confinement. Its only crime: having brains and beauty in equal measure. This is a book to change hearts and minds, a long-overdue call to enlightenment to anyone who ever called a parrot ajust a bird.aa
-- Julie Zickefoose, naturalist, artist and author of "Letters from Eden"
aTweti weaves a wonderful tale of people and parrots that will make you laugh, weep and applaud the wonderful wit and devilry of parrots."
-- Joanna Burger, author of "The Parrot Who Owns Me"

The most important book published on the state of our relationship with parrots."
-Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO, Humane Society of the United States

About the Author:

Mira Tweti is an award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker. Her writing has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and The Village Voice, and has helped pass legislation and launch national awareness about parrot issues. Her exposé for the LA Times Magazine on the U.S. parrot trade won an investigative journalism Genesis Award from the Humane Society of the United Sates for significant stories on animal welfare. Tweti is also the author of a parrot- welfare children’s book, Here, There and Everywhere, heralded by Dr. Jane Goodall as “a masterpiece.” Tweti lives in Los Angeles with ZaZu, an adopted parrot.

About this edition

• Publisher: Viking Pr
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0670019690
• ISBN 13: 9780670019694
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 317