Some of it - for instance, the untrue rumor that Globus "throws birds on the floor" to make them "behave" - is almost laughable. However, other critics who have a clearer picture of what the trainer does also say he's too rough. The general consensus among detractors, as one message board poster put it, is "I'll never let him whisper to my bird!"

Is Globus mean or miraculous? He's neither. "Whispering" is not for every bird. It's not for every owner. It's not the positive-reinforcement training technique most behavior experts favor. But cruel? Certainly not. It's a highly honed version of the same techniques most of us have clumsily tried at one time or another.

Some people believe pet birds should not be forced into tameness. This philosophy has merit - birds are a whole 'nother ballgame. Unlike four-footed pets, some parrots harbor deep wells of fear and wildness that can be difficult to overcome. Providing an avian companion for these birds may be kinder and more practical. However, that's not always possible. Besides, most of us would like to have a relationship with that fascinating feathered creature that lives under our roof. We'd like to shrink the gulf of fear and distrust that separates us.

My first bird was a cockatiel so frightened of people he battered himself against the bars of his cage whenever someone walked by. Small overtures over a period of weeks won him over; eventually, he sought me out for a scratch on the head. It didn't occur to me to tame him any other way.

Most birds, if simply given time, will do the same, without forced handling. But I've also had the opposite experience - that of waiting years for a bird to come around, with no progress. Globus says this is when his techniques make sense. He believes that forcing some birds to submit to our touch is better than continued fear, and in some cases, I think he's right. To read more, check out The Bird Whisperer.

A gift from Mattie
You may know her as a famous parrot-book author and bird behavior consultant. But did you know that Mattie Sue Athan is also a crackerjack writer of fiction? We're pleased to be the first bird magazine to publish an Athan short story, a quirky tale of holiday cheer called Gift of the Magpie: A Christmas Story".

We have another exciting first in this issue of ParrotChronicles.com: product reviews. Each issue we'll look at a line of bird toys, bird foods, cage accessories or a new parrot-related book. For our inaugural column, Dana Wilson and her intrepid feathered review crew put Bell Plastics toys through their paces. Here's what they thought.

Put on your shopping shoes
The holidays are on their way, and perhaps you've already started scouting around for gifts you'd like to lavish on your bird, your bird-loving friends - or even yourself. This issue we'd like to welcome several new advertisers to our pages who might have just what you're looking for.

The BirdSafe Store is your friendly corner store on the Internet, with a hand-picked selection of high-quality foods, toys and supplies, including a do-it-yourself test kit for giardia, the protozoa blamed for some feather picking. Want to shop for Nutri-Berries or Avi-Cakes in your jammies? Pop on over to the Lafeber Web site and order online. For some of the most beautiful parrot-themed t-shirts, calendars, CDs and other items you've ever seen, head over to Tangy Design. For eye-catching handmade parrot jewelry featuring every colorful species, we recommend Pogo Polly's. Artist Patricia Golden makes charming earrings, necklaces, pins and even Christmas tree ornaments featuring your favorite parrot. If you're looking for a good playstand for your bird, be sure to check out Advanced Avian Designs' huge playgyms and activity trees made out of hardwood. And if you want your bird to "speak human," then a training tape from Feathered Phonics can do the job. Does your bird deserve coal in his stocking for being naughty? Perhaps you should treat the two of you to a session with bird behavior expert Sue Farlow.

If yours is a multi-species household, Drs. Foster and Smith is a convenient online store for all your pet-supply needs. And if you've been thinking about going organic, check out Organic Bird Food, seller of pellets and other foods certified 100 percent organic. China Prairie also sells organic bird foods - and water dispensers, ozone generators and other equipment. For "home-cooked" bird meals you don't have to lift a finger to prepare, look no further than Beak Appetit.

Do you like funny cartoons about parrots? Do you like them on your t-shirts, lunchboxes, mouse pads, baby bibs and cooking aprons? Then pay a visit to ParrotChronicles.com's online store. Cartoonist Dan Thompson lends his hilarious original parrot gags to all these items and many more, just in time to tickle your favorite parrot lover's funnybone for the holidays. (Dan's professional motto: Bird owners need to laugh, too.) Want to buy a particular item with a cartoon it's not currently paired with? Let us know and we'll try to accommodate you.

Finally, don't forget the best present you can give your bird any time of the year: your kind attention. We at ParrotChronicles.com wish you and all the feathered members of your family the merriest of holidays.

-- Carla Thornton, Editor

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