5 comments about Guide to the Senegal Parrot and Its Family.

1. If you are looking for a excellent guide to Senegal parrots, this is the one. I did my research and everything I found gave this book high ratings. After reading it, I know why! I utilized the information to aquire, hand feed and raise two Senegal parrots. The depth of knowledge this author gives can't be measured. I would definately buy from her again.



2. A very informative book on the Senegal parrot. Sometimes the information given seems to be the author's opinion not always fact. But it gives you a lot of information on the breed.



3. exuse me splling.it hard to tipe with just 4 tose..I now 75 year old..never had frend just human master..but now with internet I slowly learn how to buy everything onlin by waching my master. finaly I made my run for freedom..I gorged my master eyes out and then i extrectrecuted him when he went to wash his blood off...then i buy a senegal..them is hot hot birds..finally i going to get some with a reel bird and not no arm after 75 years. this book get me ready for day my lovely senegals arrives. I didnt know senegal likes to lie on back..hehehehe



4. This book gives great insight of not only the personalities, but the care and what to expect if you are wanting a Senegal. This book answered all my questions and more.



5. Excellent source of information. Easy to read.

5 comments about Cockatoos Complete Owner's Manual.

1. This was just the book I was looking for. I am contemplating adding a Cockatoo to my family, (I already have two Macaws)....and this book was very informative and gave me alot to consider before adding one to my family.



2. I have a goffin cockatoo and I thought this book was great. Very easy to read, good advise, worth the money.



3. This is a great book if you need a quick summary and synopsis about cockatoo ownership. In my case it helped me to see that while I am an experienced bird owner, a cockatoo is not an appropriate pet for me at this time in my life.



4. A great introduction to cockatoos and how to care for them, and it's honest about the challenges as well as the benefits of sharing your life with one of these guys. It has up-to-date information on how to house them, feed them, and keep them busy, and a very helpful section of brief descriptions of each spieces, which lets you compare the sizes, care, and temperaments--read before you choose a 'too! There's lots more to know, but this is a good place to start.



5. This book although fairly short is very informative. Weither your a first time cockatoo owner or have owned them for years this book is for everyone. It goes into detail of complete care for these birds, and mainly anything you need to know about them is there. I enjoyed it, and think any bird lover and cockatoo owner would as well.

5 comments about Gouldian Finches: Everything About Purchase, Housing, Care, Nutrition, Breeding, and Diseases.

1. Book has very good detailed info for breeding and keeping Gouldian Finches, recommended



2. If you've already studied all of the Gouldian Finch information on the Web, and now you're looking for a resource that will be more comprehensive and authoritative, then this is NOT the book for you. A simple Google search will easily unearth more information, and the Gouldians you will read about on the Web are far more robust than the seemingly suicidal birds described in this little volume. In fairness to the author, I'll add that this book was published in 1991, and much of the information on the Web was probably extrapolated from this author's pioneering work.
   
   A more petty grievance about this book is that the author deserved better editing by his publisher. Someone should have renovated all of the awkward sentences, the possessives without apostrophes, and the outright errors, such as where we're instructed to PALPITATE (instead of PALPATE) a bird's belly.



3. This book is very accessible, has solid information for the beginner or person who just got a bird and needs to quickly know the basics. The photos are lovely, and I would highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in a good overview of gouldians.



4. If you are serious about raising these beautiful birds, this book is a must. It covers everything I needed to care for my Gouldians. The pictures are also quite nice. The section on genetics is very important for us who want to breed them, which is a lot of fun.



5. I found this book very interesting, and providing helpfull information for the average finch keeper. I have been raising and breeding exclusively gouldians for about 13 years now, so I find the genetics section in this book (though not VERY elaborate) of primordial importance. I also liked the vivid description of the nuptial dance, the sound and chirps etc... as well as the pictures. So, if to say, on a scale of ten, 1 being a very silly book and 10 an extensive genetical analyisis and nutritional guide for expert breeders, I give this book a well-earned 7.

1 comments about Parakeets For Dummies (For Dummies (Pets)).

1. This book starts off with one of my pet peeves - giving the name American Parakeet to the sweet little Australian Budgie or Budgerigar. They are not American birds at all - although they certainly are one of many different parakeets.
   
   The author, Nikki Moustaki is very knowlegable about these wonderful birds. She gives excellent advice on deciding if a budgie is right for your home.
   
   Throughout the book, markings in the margins indicate interesting and helpful tips, warnings and reminders.
   
   The chapter "Polly Want a Cracker?" has excellent advice on feeding your budgie. Of course variety is essential and Nikki gives a great list of foods to provide interest and variety.
   
   The chapter "Come Here Often?" provides great information to help you understand common budgie behaviours, including some problem behaviours. The author also provides great taming and training advice here.
   
   It is obvious while reading this book that Nikki Moustaki loves these little birds. She talks about her own Parakeets/Budgies as examples, telling us what they enjoy. This is a great book for beginners and even experienced budgie owners may find information that they didn't know before.

3 comments about Breaking Bad Habits in Parrots: How Responsible and Sympathetic Parrot Care Can Prevent or Remedy Problem Behaviors.

1. Here in the states we often recommend trimming a birds wings. I was really shocked that the author would suggest gluing bamboo splints to a birds trimmed wings. Glue? Bamboo? In my experience this is a plucking problem waiting to happen. Also a great way to lose a bird or have one injured if it should get outside fully flighted. The author is a "amateur ornithologist"? Did no one do fact checks? Much of what is written is not based on fact. I found the book quite disturbing. Especially if in the hands of a brand new bird owner. There are many better bird books out there. Keep looking.



2. Uses insights on parrots' lives in the wild to help parrots in captivity. Many photos of beautiful parrots.



3. Greg Glendell knows his stuff, as evidenced by this and all of his other writings. Just do a google search on this author and you will be amazed to find all of the most sensical remedies to problems that stem from having a wing clipped bird in captivity. His advice seems so simple but is deep seeded in ethological and ornithological principles. He is the UK's only full-time pet parrot behaviourist and the world would greatly benefit from several of his clones. If you are experiencing challenges with your companion parrot, buy this book and explore Mr. Glendell's website for more information. I can't sing his praises any louder!

2 comments about Attracting and Feeding Hummingbirds (T.F.H. Wild Birds Series).

1. This small but information-packed guide is the best I've found for detailed, practical advice about viewing and caring for these little flying jewels. The photographs are breathtaking and the text is well-written and filled with wonderful advice and tips about feeders, habitat, gardens, identification and further resources.
   
   Terrific.



2. Although this gem of a book certainly covers attracting and feeding hummingbirds, including extensive advice on selecting flowers appropriate for each region of the continent, its modest size and simple title don't hint at the true gift within: an ecologist's insight into the natural history of one of our most highly-specialized and most fascinating bird families. The first 14 pages of text and photos are a concise, well-balanced examination of how hummingbirds fit into their environment, written for neither children nor scientists, but for the inquisitive layman. You won't find this content in any other book I've seen.

   The second part is about plants, and again compresses a wealth of useful information into a succinct but rich overview of what flowers hummingbirds like, and why. More than a plant list, this section will help you understand how to plan a garden that works.

   There are also sections on feeders, habitat, and species identification. Each is invested with an equally-impressive amount of insight, although as the author advises you'll want a good field guide for serious ID questions (and Sheri is writing one now). Finally, there's a nice listing of organizations and both printed and online resources for further study.

   I have a collection of hummingbird books, assembled to help me build and maintain hummingbirds.net. This one is one of the three I wouldn't be without.

1 comments about Conure: Your Happy Healthy Pet.

1. Although this book does not have the answer to a lot of questions conure owners may have it is by far the most comprehensive book on these birds.

2 comments about The Falconer's Apprentice.

1. A great first book to introduce the reader to falconry. Oakes does an excellent job teaching the reader how rewarding training a red tailed hawk is, while being very clear that they will be spending many hours every single day with the bird for at least a few months. He gives detailed information about the gear and housing requrements to prevent someone from trapping a hawk if they don't have the necissary equipment.
   
   It has made me want to become a falconer ever more, but I have realized that I am at least a year away from having the time to dedicate to the project. I trust everyone who reads this book will spend a lot of time preparing for the day that they become a flaconer.



2. There are fewer things more beautiful than a falcon in flight. This beautiful, majestic bird is the epitome of grace and speed.
   
   This book is a good beginner's guide to catching, training and working with falcons and enjoying the world through their very keen and penetrating eyes.

5 comments about Racing Pigeons.

1. I am just getting started in pigeon racing and as I do with a hobby, I purchase as many books on the subject as I can. This book stands out as the most concise and complete overview of the hobby covering everthing from loft design and getting your first birds to training and racing strategies. I only held back the fifth star because of its predominantly British leaning with some info not applicable to racing in the USA. I would highly recommend this book to those interested in the hobby.



2. I'm very happy about this book and I'll expect that it will a lot usefull for me. Thanks for your attention .
   
   Marcus



3. The origins of the modern-day racing pigeon can be traced thousands of years. There were records and carvings of Rock Doves dating from 3,000 B.C. Even Noah took aboard his Ark two doves. They are the ancestors of today's pigeons, the lovely, bright gentle birds.
   
   Throughout history, the pigeon had been used by Asian And European civilizations as a speedy and reliable carrier of messages. They were used during the war by the British.
   
   When the first marathon runner gained victory in the Olympic Games at Pisa in AD230, he sent the new home via his hen bired (a pigeon), which he had taken with him. This book is illustrated throughout and the subject of training pigeons, both yound and old, is explained in depth.



4. This is a good book with good information. The book was received in excellent condition (new) and in a very timely manner.



5. I have raised pigeons for over 45 years and have read most everything avaiable about them, This book is a very good one and has lots of pictures that give the reader a clear picture of what he is describing in the text. There are not many good books on the racing side of the sport so this one should be welcomed. I would highly recommend it to anyone that has an interest in learning more about raising or racing pigeons.

5 comments about First Aid For Birds: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet.

1. Two weeks ago on a Saturday morning, I found blood all over one of my Cockatiels. I now know that he had pecked at a feather abscess which had burst and splattered its contents everywhere. THE COMPLETE BIRD OWNER'S HANDBOOK by Gallerstein provided me with the information I needed so that I could determine if the bleeding was life-threatening (such as a broken blood feather), and whether I could treat it. This information allowed me to wait until the following Monday to have my bird seen by a bird vet who performed surgery on the cyst and ran several tests (biopsy, etc. to make sure it was not something that would kill my other birds) -- thus a $300+ vet bill instead of something much worse in at emergency service. I bought FIRST AID FOR BOOKS after this incident thinking it would provide me with additional insight into bird health situations, but it does not. Though more accessible, FIRST AID is a synopsis of some of the more common crises discussed in the larger book by Gallerstein.
   
   In FIRST AID FOR BIRDS, Julie Rach and Gary Gallerstein explain that their book addressed the immediate steps to take in selected health crises (no feather abscesses here). Each topic covered is divided into several parts: the crises (for example fracture), the signs (leg hanging at a funny angle), home treatment (confine bird....), Veterinary treatment. (The book will help the bird owner figure out some steps to take in a selected crises, but the owner should read the larger Gallerstein book before a crises arises.
   
   FIRST AID deals with some of the more common upsets covered in any good bird book, so I did not find any information I did not already have on hand, except a list of possible sources of lead poisoning including items like curtain weights - and believe me I am not going to try to figure out what poisoned my bird if he or she acts as if poison is at work, I am going to seek medical help immediately.
   
   FIRST AID (the book) is mostly about prevention - how to follow a proper diet and eschew household hazards. As I already had a good deal of this information on hand in other sources, I found this book disappointing. It would have been more useful if it had provided me with "triage" information to address various crises, i.e. what do you look for in a bleeding bird, i.e., what signs help you determine if bleeding is the result of a broken blood feather, an abscess (I had never seen a feather abscess), or something else, and what to do in each case.
   
   HOLISTIC CARE FOR BIRDS by McCluggage and Higdon addresses home remedies as well as preventative measures and is thus acts as a complentary book with much greater detail on the home remedies offered in FIRST AID. Gallerstein's larger book includes photographs of pus filled abscesses and other groovy stuff, so you will want to buy all three books if you can, but FIRST AID FOR BIRDS will get you started.



2. Most of the information in this book was right on for treating avian injuries. It had good suggestions for preparing an emergency kit and for acquainting a pet lover of what situations may arise when their bird is injured.

   However, one piece of information was very very wrong and it upset me to read it in an otherwise fine piece of avian literature. On page 112 it advocates packing a blood feather with styptic powder which is painful for the bird because styptic powder should NEVER be applied to live tissue. This worries me because there might be other errors in the text that may ultimately be painful, dangerous, or even deadly to a pet bird.

   This book is OK for reading through to familiarize yourself with bird injuries and how to treat them, but because it lacks a detailed index and a scant chapter listing, it may not be helpful in an emergency unless you have dog-eared the book for your bird's most frequent health issues. It is also a poor reference for this reason.

   However, compared to relying on unreliable websites, this book is arguably a better option.




3. This book is a must-have for all bird owners! Buy and read it to familiarize yourself with first aid procedures and then stash it as a quick reference if your bird should fall ill or have an accident. This book is a well-organized reference for what you can do to help stabilize your bird before you go to the vet in an emergency. It also tells you what problems are emergencies and must be treated without delay and what problems can wait a day or two.



4. Accidents and illness do happen to birds, be preparded and know what to do should someting happen to you pet bird. This book is loaded with helpfull information.



5. This is an excellent book. It gives first-aid kit suggestions, discusses normal bird health, and gives a list of symptoms with suggested treatments and when to call the vet. Our local library has this book and I found it very helpful. It is in a series of pet books, all of which are pretty good. A great addition to any bird-owner or bird-lover's library!