Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot by MattieSue Athan Review: A Focused, Psychology-Grounded Training Resource

A practical, psychology-first guide to parrot behavior, this book remains one of the most recognized titles in its niche for owners dealing with difficult companion birds.

Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot by MattieSue Athan is a parrot-training and behavior guide designed to help owners understand and address the most disruptive challenges of living with a companion parrot. The book focuses squarely on parrot psychology as the foundation for behavior change, explaining how owners can apply an understanding of how parrots think and respond to correct problem behaviors. The three most common complaints Athan addresses are screaming, biting, and feather-chewing — each treated as a solvable problem with root causes that the owner can learn to recognize and redirect. Beyond behavior correction, the book also covers practical care topics including grooming, bathing, toys, nutrition, and the importance of providing consistent companionship for the bird. Bibliographical references and an index are included, giving the guide a structured, reference-friendly format.

Originally published by Barron's — an imprint long associated with accessible pet-care references — the book has gone through multiple editions, reflecting sustained reader demand. The edition currently catalogued at major retailers is the third, published by Sourcebooks in 2007. The longevity of the title across editions positions it as a reference that has been revised and expanded rather than simply reprinted, with descriptions of the updated editions noting new content that deepens coverage of parrot psychology relative to earlier versions. Illustrator Michele Earle-Bridges is credited on earlier editions for the color photography and line art that accompanies the text; the verified facts confirm color photos and line illustrations are part of the book's visual presentation, per sourced descriptions.

What distinguishes Athan's approach, according to multiple sourced descriptions, is the emphasis on why parrots behave the way they do before prescribing what to do about it. Rather than offering a list of commands or rote training steps, the guide frames behavior problems as issues with identifiable psychological causes — an approach that treats the parrot as an animal with consistent motivations rather than an unpredictable pet. Athan also stresses the need for periodic reinforcement of desirable behaviors, acknowledging that good behavior is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing dynamic between bird and owner. This preventive dimension — covering nutrition and steady companionship alongside crisis correction — gives the book a broader scope than a narrow troubleshooting manual.

Reader responses catalogued on retail platforms reflect the book's practical appeal for owners in active difficulty with their birds. One Amazon reviewer describes turning to the book immediately upon receiving it after struggling to maintain a consistent schedule for a parrot adjusting to a new environment and climate — and finding it answered the specific questions they needed. This kind of direct, situational utility is consistent with what the book is designed to deliver: actionable guidance for owners who are already experiencing problems, not just those preparing for a first bird. Reception of this nature points to the book functioning well as a problem-solving reference rather than purely an introductory overview.

The book's compact scope — 144 pages covering behavior, grooming, nutrition, and companionship — means it is, by design, a focused guide rather than a comprehensive encyclopedia of parrot ownership. Readers seeking species-specific deep dives, advanced trick training, or detailed coverage of avian veterinary topics will need to supplement it with other resources. The concentration on the three headline behavior problems (screaming, biting, feather-chewing) is a genuine strength for owners facing those exact issues, but owners dealing with less common behavioral challenges may find the coverage thinner than they need. The third edition was published in 2007, meaning developments in avian behavioral science since that date are not reflected in the text.