[.uk] The Colored Atlas of Lovebirds: Agapornis : More Than a ... (ISBN 0793804736)

Reviewer: Owner, Breeder, Lover of Lovebirds:
This book is a must for anyone who is interested in the SCIENCE of professional breeding, especially for unusual color (read: more expensive birds)... it is truly NOT for the casual bird fancier. If you're buying it to better understand, care for and enjoy your pet, you will be disappointed. (Note: This reviewer believes that the breeding of birds should be left to professionals. Breeding birds 'casually' or 'at-home' is not a good practice. Baby birds are more than a lot of work, and there are many things that can go wrong, causing anguish to both owners and birds.)

You need passion to get through the science......:
Dr. Alessandro D'Angieri, a Brazilian physician with an interest in ornithology, is a researcher at the State University of Campinas's Zoology Department (UNICAMP) who has dedicated his life to the study and preservation of Brazilian and foreign birds. His deep interest in genetic diversity is reflected in this text devoted to the 262 species and 63 genera of the family Psittacidae and subfamily Psittacinae known as Agapornis. Agapornis form nine distinct forms in the wilds of continental Africa and the coastal region of the island of Madagascar. Dr. D'Angieri includes a map showing the original homeland of these little birds, many of them threatened by the encroachment of humans, who range across an area just South of the Equator. The book also includes hundreds of beautiful photos indicating the identity of these confusing little creatures. Apparently, the coloring of companion birds here in the States is the result of lots of cross-breeding around the world. I certainly cannot keep it all straight even after perusing Dr D'Angieri's book, let alone know whether a particular type is caused by hybridization, mutation or metabolic disorder. Color in the diet does not appear to affect the color of the birds, although a healthy diet will certainly improve their feather coloration. . I raise Agapornis otherwise known as Lovebirds and include several Personata and Roseacollis types in my collection. Two of my Personata companions include a pair of Cobalt blue-black masked twins. According to the author, this coloration is not common. Using Dr. D'Angieri's book I have been able to identify the coloration of several other birds, but this is an incredibly complex book so the photographs are very important and if a picture of a particular type does not exist, I cannot identify it at all. I enjoyed this obviously professional book immensely, even if it includes more material than I can hold in my head, and will use it as a reference. I don't know if I will ever use it to guide the mating of birds to obtain a specific coloration for which it seems designed.

The Colored Atlas of Lovebirds : Agapornis : More Than a Hob:
The Colored Atlas of Lovebirds : Agapornis : More Than a Hobby, a Passion! This shopping

Lovebird Atlas Books A2:
I realy love this book, it was just what I was looking for. The only thing negative was the shipping! It was sent flat letter with no bubble wrap, all the corners were bent and indentations in the hard color. The book is great, but the condition I recieved it in was not good. The cover was 20 to 30 % damaged.

Interesting and informative.:
This book is becoming slightly dated as new mutations have arisen, and some pics show birds in other than their best plumage. These minor faults aside, the genetic explanations and practical knowledge available to the breederin this book are most useful. And many (if not all) of the pictures are terrific. Other volumes or info on the web are needed for detailed lovebird care, but this book is most useful re: mutations and their selection.