[.uk] Birds for Dummies (ISBN 0764551396)

Another very good beginner book!:
My hubbie and I have been petsitting his uncle's macaw. We didn't understand why she was so aggresive mainly trying to bite and why she screeched all the time. We needed information. So I picked up this book and a Guide to a well-behaved parrot. They are both really good beginner books. This book had alot more information than the guide did on some things. I can't go through every chapter but I'll go through the most important ones. Chapter 1 and 2 are about are you ready for a bird? What type are you looking for. Things you need to consider size, noise level, How much of a mess you can stand. Chapter 4 deals with the basics cage, perches, toys for your bird (I liked the cheap toys section) I actually used some of the ideas. Chapter 5 Starting your bird off right. The best information I got out of this chapter was control your bird's comings and goings. I was letting baby D (macaw's name) get out of her cage herself and letting her roam the top of her cage. She was getting aggresive since I've stopped doing this her aggresiveness has lessened significantly. Chapter 6 talks about the right foods for your birds. I agree that for birds such as macaws they need a variety of foods. With parakeets though I don't think it's such a bad thing. I have two parakeets I've tried to introduce them to fruit, and vegetables. They just won't touch it. Chapter 7 understanding a bird's body language. This chapter also deals with trimming a bird's nails, clipping their wings,& bathing your bird. Chaper 10 It deals with problems that might arise such as if your bird gets sick or injured. Chapter 12 dealing with behavior problems such as aggresiveness. It talks about height ( how it can affect a bird's behavior), & Using the wobble technique to deal with the nipping. In the Guide to a well behaved parrot it talked more about screeching and some solutions that might help. All in all this book had more basic stuff than the guide did but if you are searching for how to stop behavior problems get the guide.

The Perfect Reference:
This book is an excellent reference for all bird owners (first timers and experienced owners alike). I had a cockatiel for 10 years and at the time had gone to the best avian vet in the area, but this book still had tons of new & important information that I didn't know about. I just recently bought and read this book, after buying a baby green cheek conure, and think this book was an invaluable investment both to read now and to reference again in the future. As a side note, I decided to take my new baby to Dr. Speer for his new baby wellness check-up, even though his office is a one hour drive away (I live in San Francisco), and I must say this man is the best physician/veterinarian I have ever met! And I'm a physician myself (for humans), so I have a lot of experience with them. I intend to take my little green cheek back to Dr. Speer for all future check-ups. I think I have found the best imaginable veterinarian for my new baby!!! For a full package of important references for bird owners, I would recommend: (1) Birds for Dummies, by Gina Spadafori & Dr. Brian Speer; (2) Good Bird, by Barbara Heidenreich; and (3) the Parrot Problem Solver, by Barbara Heidenreich. #1 is an invaluable comprehensive review of important information every bird owner should know. #2 & #3 are more about bird behavior and how to create the best-possible relationship with your bird. In #2 & #3, Ms. Heidenreich provides tips on how to avoid problematic behaviors that sometimes crop up in human-bird relationships. I had a wonderful relationship with my beloved cockatiel, and again with my sweet baby green-cheek, BUT, nonetheless, there was still a lot of helpful and stimulating information in Ms. Heidenreich's books regarding the needs of these psychologically complex creatures that I think I really benefitted from learning about. And most importantly, my baby green cheek will benefit too!!

Dummies - not anymore:
My favorite of the bird books so far. Great illustrations and info for all ages.

Bird Book:
Not quite as good as the Cockatoo for Dummies but worth a look at. Good starter book.

A Must Have in your library as a bird owner.:
After adopting two older birds I have read or purchased several of the recommended books for parrot care. Yet, I found myself recently with a very sick little pionus. (Hear what this book says about seed diets and nutrition, please!!! They really mean it when they say it's more expensive long run to NOT do preventative health care!) After a terrible few days I found myself driving to the Bay Area to Dr. Speer's office. It's been a month or so since the emergency surgery, my little girl is healing very well, and now I am avidly reading this book. The information in it is basic and easily accessible, yet it is information not offered in brightly colored behavior books that sell so well. Why is a seed diet not a good choice? They explain it. Why are fragrances and non-stick cookware so bad? They give you the reason. How do I administer first aid to my parrots and what should I use to do it? They give you the info without a sales pitch. If you want good, solid information from an amazing vet (with a great sense of humor) this is the book to get. Truly, I cannot recommend it highly enough.