The Parrot Who Owns Me: The Story of a Relationship

by Joanna Burger

Book Overview

Seventeen years ago, when she adopted a neglected, orphaned thirty-year-old parrot named Tiko, the internationally renowned ornithologist Joanna Burger entered one of the most complex relationships of her life. Sullen and hostile when he entered Dr. Burger's home, Tiko gradually warmed up, courting her during mating season, nursing her vigilantly through a bout with Lyme disease, and for a while even fighting her husband for her attentions. In time...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375760253
• ISBN13: 9780375760259
• Release Date: May 2002
• Publisher: Random House Trade
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.47 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.6" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

Parrot Lovers ...

For those who have had bird companions... I laughed out loud at the trials and tribulations of learning to live with , and earn the trust of a thirty year old in the throws of the " terrible two's". I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

A touching, fascinating memoir -- read it!

"The Parrot Who Owns Me" is a delightful memoir that should appeal not only to bird lovers, but to the general public, as well. The author is a faculty member at Rutgers who has specialized in the study of gulls and parrots. As a scholar, she's written 14 books, but this one is different: It's a memoir, a story of the relationship between her and Tiko, who sounds like one great bird. The memior follows her adoption of Tiko when he was in his 30s, after the two elderly ladies who owned him passed away. He became depressed and agressive, but slowly, Joanna and her husband brought him around. Ultimately, Tiko really bonded to her, quite literally falling in love with her and choosing her as his "partner." The storytelling in this book is engaging. In between the long segments about Tiko's development, the author intersperses information about her worldwide scientific field research, some of which was inspired by Tiko, and this information sheds light on parrot behavior in general, as well as that of her beloved Tiko.She also briefly discusses the parrots she'd owned prior to Tiko, and their stories are touching. I did, in fact, cry more than once as she reminisced about the birds who are no longer with her. That caught me off guard. It's a surprisingly touching story.Note: I read the book in paperback form, but I imagine that it's just as enjoyable in downloaded form! My experiences with downloadable texts has been good thus far, and I likely would have downloaded this one had it been an option at the time.In conclusion, then, I think this is an excellent book that has a strong appeal to it. I'm sure that's in part because I have two parrots, a cockatiel and a budgie, who own me -- but there's so much more to this story! I highly recommend it.

A treasure

I live with a parakeet who owns me, and after reading the review of this book in 'People' I had to find it. I'm glad I did. The stories of how birds in the wild and in human habitats relate to their companions are fascinating and often laugh-out-loud hilarious (Dr. Burger's parrot, Tiko, builds nests in furniture every year and tries to lure her in, with the hope that maybe this time eggs will result). If you live with a dog, cat or bird you will certainly find elements of familiarity, while her scientific explanations dovetail (no pun intended) nicely with the story. Overall, 'The Parrot Who Owns Me' is a delightful read for readers of all ages, and the birds depicted therein are charming. Long live Tiko and his adopted flock!

Tiko Rules the Roost

Wow - what an unusual love story! This is a wonderful book for anyone who shares his/her home with a parrot, and it gives the reader a new perspective from which to regard these amazing creatures. Never again will I say I own my parrot - he's the owner!

We are not alone

If you have ever loved a criter that wasn't human and received love back or worried about the irresponsible way humans treat the planet and its other inhabitants, you should read this book. Those of us who are sure we aren't the only sentient beings in the universe will find comfort in a scientist's description of her relationship with a truly magnificient animal, one who loves too much but is not afraid to love again. There are scientific data, facts galore, and deeply touching accounts that could be made into a wonderful Disney movie. But Joanna Burger is not a wildchild paranormal communicator who just wuvs her wittle birdy. She is a highly respected scientist who evolves into a highly skilled listener and hears the parrots' cries as they slip into extinction. As a lifelonog rescuer of various domestic species, I once thought I could give a home to a needy parrot. After reading this book I realize I am not in the least qualified to do this.