A fascinating read by a true bird fanaticist. First, she took in foster and rescue birds, particularly "companion birds". Then she began rescuing endangered "exotic" species, and ultimately breeding them to help try to re-populate and save them from extinction. Along the way, we lucky readers grow to understand how communicative birds are, what outsized personalities many of them have, and why she is so passionate about her avian friends. Illustrated with gorgeous photographs (truly--the photographer should have been credited on the title page, in my opinion). ( )

The story of how a woman went from rescuing a quail to breeding endangered species. The images were beautiful, and it was a fast and entertaining read. ( )

In this charming memoir, Pandemonium Aviary's founder Michele Raffin describes her journey from attempting to rescue an injured bird on the side of the highway to becoming the head of a successful conservation non-profit that houses hundreds of birds in her converted backyard. The story is fascinating and inspirational, and full of charming human and avian characters. Raffin does a lovely job communicating the intelligence and emotional range of her charges, and the stunning color photos bring these exotic creatures to life. A genuinely fun and informative read. ( )

A delightful, fun read. ( )

The author's love affair with birds begins with a dove she is unable to save, and it grows to include rescue birds of numerous species. Then, in a decision that is both energizing and heartbreaking, Raffin becomes a breeding conservationist that focuses on ex-situ conservation of endangered species. These conservation breeding efforts are centered around six endangered species endemic to New Guinea or the Philippines, such as the Mindanao bleeding-heart. Their natural habitats are being decimated by palm oil plantations.

The Birds of Pandemonium is not a pull-no-punches conservation plea. Raffin, who is friends with private breeders and relies on their expertise and support, is unable or unwilling to critique the greed that motivates much of the for-profit breeding industry. She touches at numerous points on the unwillingness of breeders to share their information. One suspects their secrecy is motivated by dollar signs not "snobbery [or] stubbornness" (198).

The birds who reside at Michele Raffin's Pandemonium Aviaries are colorful characters. Raffin's life with her bird friends is zany and her cheeky prose style in The Birds of Pandemonium: Life Among the Exotic and Endangered reflects this. ( )