Customer Reviews (2)

A MUST HAVE!!! for any aviary library
This is one the best books that I have in my possession.It provides anyone with excellent visual pictures of the actual birds and provides general information for each.The information is fairly good but limited to a single page for each bird, but is fairly comprehensive in regard to each species and sub-species.I highly recommend this book.

Great reference to identify common & less known pet birds
Covers history of aviculture, caging, taming, & breeding including setting up mixed species aviaries.Tells country of origin, habitat, foods, whether they will sing/talk or both.Also covers how they do in captivitywith children and other pets.Very informative for the person trying todecide what pet they want or whether they want to set upbreeding colonies. Something for everyone! ... Read more

Product Description
"The Complete Guide To Raising Pet Birds For Profit, The GreatestBackyard Business Ever" is written as a practical guide for the petlover who wishes to make an income breeding, raising and selling smallpet birds. Author James McDonald made his living for 25 years withexotic birds and animals before retiring in 2000 at the age of 50. Heraised tens of thousands of birds himself and built a nationwidedistributorship that supplied pet shops with parakeets, cockatiels,lovebirds, finches and other small pet birds. Through the years he hashelped many people start their own successful backyard businessbreeding these small pet birds to help supply the pet industry withthe millions that are sold annually. Now, for the first time ever hehas put his proven methods of success in the form of a book. The bookexplains how to make an excellent income, either part-time orfull-time breeding the most popular species of pet birds. Manybreeders using these methods make from $500 to $2000 monthly on apart-time basis while full timers make much more. You will learn howyou can live anywhere and ship your birds to the nationwidemarket. The book is actually 6 books in one. It completely covers bothcage and colony breeding methods of parakeets, cockatiels, lovebirdsand finches, as well as marketing and shipping.Additionally, threechapters completely cover how to become a wholesale distributor of petbirds, which can be a very lucrative business.Although the book waswritten with the pet lover in mind that wishes to make an incomebreeding birds, there is a tremendous amount of information in thebook that the hobbyist will find useful as well. Many management tipsand pointers can be used by the beginner as well as the experiencedperson to increase yearly production, thus increasing profits.As awell known animal lover, author James McDonald sold approximately onemillion exotic birds before his retirement and he reminds the readersof the moral obligations and responsibilities of animal ownership andencourages the reader to always accept those responsibilities byproviding humane and adequate care for their birds at all times. Thebook is not written in some far out technical jargon or academicterminology, but in an easy to understand style with plain and simple,down to earth language by someone who has actually "been there anddone that."It is a must have book if you enjoy breeding birds andwould like to make a profit while doing something that you trulyenjoy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

An exceptional book packed to the brim with worthwhile tips.
Aside from the occasional typo or grammatical error, I found this to be the best of its type since Wendell Levi's Making Pigeons Pay.In some ways, in fact, this book is superior in scope to Levi's.

A great deal of the book is oriented to pet bird wholesaling. There also are well-written chapters for each of the top sellers - parakeets, cockatiels, finches and love birds. I found each of the bird breeding-specific chapters to be helpful, although further details should be included in a future edition.

I am hopeful the author, or another capable writer with experience, will soon issue a similar book for the more lucrative Parrots, Macaws, and so forth.

I further also hope somebody with experience will soon offer books for the other pet trade groupings - reptiles; marsupials, rodents, and so forth.

Hmmm...perhaps Breaking Free can do so and can then publish an Encyclopedia of Pets & Exotic Animals? Guess what...it is now in preparation and completion is scheduled on 1 September 2005. Interested parties should email LJ at ljsbreakingfree dot com.

We at LJ's Breaking Free intend to list this book for readers for it truly is one of those gems that people can use to find their freedom from corporate wage-slavery.

We also shall be seeking the publisher/author's permission for e-Book rights. In time, this book should be at the top of our best seller list - Bill Anderson, (LJ), Breaking Free.

Great information, very complete
A very well written book that will hold your interest so much that you will find it hard to put down. Very thorough, with step by step instructions on breeding, feeding, housing, and marketing of parakeets, cockatiels, lovebirds and finches, either as a hobby or commercially.The most complete book of its kind.

Great Book
This book includes a lot of information that would take the average person years to learn. Not only does it cover breeding various species of birds, but it covers different ways of marketing them as well.It even covers shipping birds via the airlines, which opens up larger markets for most people. If you enjoy birds and are considering turning your hobby into a small business, this book is a must have.

Excellent book on raising small birds
I was looking for a secondary income when I ran across this book. I found that the pet business is a huge business that I had never really thought about. I have always loved birds and animals and this book had the information that I needed to get started with a small business of my own. After reading the book through twice, I knew this was something that I would enjoy doing. I located a wholesale buyer in my area who agreed to buy my production. The book is well written, very interesting, and easy to understand. After reading the book you can clearly see that the author is an animal lover and is very much interested in the welfare of the birds, since he discourages anyone from entering this business solely for the financial rewards. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to breed the smaller types of pet birds, either for fun or as a small business.

BestbookI've read in awhile !
After leaving a 20 year career with the government, I was hoping to find something more creative. While looking for information on buying a pet bird for my daughter , I happened across not only a great book about birds but also a new career. Although I will be starting at the hobby level at first , with the straight forward advice and information in this book I really feel I can expand this to any level. This book reflects 25 years of some one elses hard work and experience. Not only did I find the information on raising birds fascinating but there is a wealth of knowledge for anyone looking to start their own business. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very good book for beginners in keeping pet birds.
This book is an good guide for the beginner in keeping pet birds.It saved the life of at least one Conure I know by giving good data on feeding. Although they kind of push the Lafeber bird food products, the information is good, and should greatly assist in the integration of a new pet bird into your flock! ... Read more

Product Description
The title of this edition reflects the fact that this book is the most thorough and cuurrent work in print for all bird owners. It covers all aspects of pet bird ownership, including selection, nutrition, behavior, home physicals, emergency medical care, preventive medicine and much more.

Keep it by the cage for quick reference. User friendly with an index of signs for medical treatment and applicable for all species of pet birds. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Great Comprehensive reference
Solid information, with extremely good sections on health care and health conditions and very good coverage on basic ownership issues such as grooming, safety, nutrition, routines etc.Has some information on behavior and training as well, but this doesn't go as deep as the other material. It covers finches and other birds as well as parrots, but much of the material is parrot-oriented.It would be the first book I'd recommend a new bird owner buy.

new and experienced owners' manual
I'm pleased with this book purchase and can recommend it to both new and experienced companion parrot owners because it offers basic, simple information as well as more in-depth, veterinary-level advice. From bird species behaviors and "personality traits" to cage types to toy tips in what I'd classify as the "simpler" category to signs of disease and training tips and how to handle emergencies and disorders in the "heavier" category, Gary Gallerstein offers a ton of information. Luckily, there's more than one index to help find info if you're in a hurry: Index of Signs and General Index. There's also a detailed Table of Contents to help find information quickly, including appendices, weights and measures, etc.

From Fantasy Author Sandy Lender

A must have book for every bird owner!
This is one of the most complete bird care books. It really should be in every bird owners home.

Bird owners manual
An excellent book that is easy to use as a reference and has the most current thinking on the correct way to care and feed birds.

The Complete Pet Bird Owner's Handbook by Gary A. Gallerstein [Hardcover]
This book was purchased for historical purposes only to see how far we have come in aviculture.

I caution any new pet bird owner looking for a owner's handbook on birds to buy a CURRENT book--this is very important. Spend the extra dollars for the most updated information. Many things have changed over the years.

... Read more

Product Description
This book is for both amateur bird owners and professional breeders. It offers instructions on maintaining a bird nursery, keeping it heated and sanitary, and tending the chicks. Differing feed formulas are given for different species, including parrots, doves, finches, soft-billed birds, pheasants, and others. Advice pertains to correcting problems often suffered by baby birds, from dehydration and discolored feathers to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Great instruction on parrot care.
This is an excellent book on the total care of baby parrots. Also includes general care of adult parrots. I've read many parrot books and have owned a parrot for 10 yrs and I highly recommend this book. Well written and a good reference book.

Book review
This book has just the right information for a beginner like myself. It also has pictures that suits someone like me who depends more on graphic presentation than just words. It does not contain too many technical terminology for the general public to grasp what the author is saying and understand the message it is meant to convey.

Not what it claims to be!
The information in this book is sorely outdated! Try Parrot Breeder's Answer Book, The instead, and plan on learning more on hand-feeding from the internet or from one of the manufacturers of the commercial hand-feeding formula that is available now.

In depth look at hand feeding and care of baby birds
Matthew Vriends HAND-FEEDING AND RAISING BABY BIRDS is of some use to me although I prefer Gayle Souck's PARROT BREEDER'S ANSWER BOOK.Vriend's book is not nearly as comprehensive, he goes deep whereas Soucek goes broad.However, I appreciate the detailed sections on the selection, care and maintenance of incubators including photos of the various types of incubators as well as text describing air filtration systems (`still air' and ventilation), automatic egg turners versus doing it yourself, and temperature, light and humidity considerations. Interestingly, neither author cites the other even tho Barron's produced both books and they are somewhat complementary.

As well as incubation, Vriends book covers feeding in great detail with numerous photos of very small chicks being hand fed.I like this book because I needed more in-depth information about actual feeding practices, including a discussion of the different nutritional needs of different birds who require formulas.Whether you are raising companion birds or you are an animal rehabilitator/rescuer you will probably find this book useful.

OK book
This book was OK.It talks about all pet birds, so it really only gives a little bit of information about each.If you are looking to know about handfeeding ONE certain kind of bird, then I would look for a different book.The pictures are very cute though. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Very helpful, full of graphical tips with beautiful photos
Nice book with details illustrations handfull of tips with beautyfull photographs. An asset for pet birds keeper and a important guide for the beginers. ... Read more

Product Description
Birds have amazing capacity for love and affection. But they aren't maintenance-free; in fact, most birds have complex needs and desires that must be considered carefully when you choose which feathered friend to own.

Whether you are bringing a bird into your life or are a seasoned owner adding to your flock, Birds For Dummies helps you address the issues that matter most to you and the bird. This book also offers a 16-page full-color spread that introduces you to bird types from around the world and explains which ones make the best pets. It will show you how to

• Explore which bird is best for you and your lifestyle before you make a decision
• Find a reliable store from which to make your purchase
• Care for your bird, with sections dedicated to cages, carriers, toys, food and grooming
• Keep your bird healthy by identifying signs of illness and finding a quality veterinarian
• Create a harmonious living situation for you, your bird and other members of your household
• Minimize noise and mess your bird might be inclined to make in the home

Customer Reviews (22)

Birds for dummies
Lovely book that generically speaks to me about my bird! Good resource and very encouraging for new owner. Second hand birds are a little less discussed but still handled well!

Pet birds are a lifetime 24/7 100% commitment.Avoid birds if you have allergies also as they generally need lots of attention.
They didn't mention ionizing air cleanersas being risky for birds, especially small birds,as to respiratory problems as far as I know.Also, they mentioned birds like to play with house keys and I remember reading the zinc in housekeys is not good for birds.I am not sure of all of this, but I mention it solely as food for thought.Check it out to be sure I am correct.

A Must have for Pet Bird Owners
If you only obtain one book to help you understand parrots this should be it.It's not just for dummies.I am the proud owner of an 18 year old ruby macaw.I purchased this book about 10 years ago while using Brian Speer as my veterinarian.I continue to enjoy referring to it for all kinds of questions about the health and behavior of parrots.Dr. Speer, D.V.M., D.A.B.V.P., was also one of the authors of The Large Macaws: Their Care, Breeding, and Conservation , a beautiful and excellent book and used as an extensive avicultural reference.Unfortunately it is out of print. Another great resource esp. for behavior is Sally Blanchard's Companion Parrot Handbook: Using Nurturing Guidance to Create the Best Companion Parrot Possible: Aka, the Happy Bappy Fun Book

Great Overview!
As an aspiring bird owner I needed a "bird's eye view" over characteristics of the various species as well as care and medical requirements. I found guidance in my choice of my first bird as well as perspective on the joy and responsibilities. I couldn't recommend the book more highly.

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

Product Description
This guide to caring for pet birds is divided into 101 stand-alone explanations that can be grasped in moments. Step-by-step photographs are combined with an informative text. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
This cracking book is absolutly superb! Highly recommended!
I found so many gorgeous tips how I can impinge positivley just with the daily diet on the physical condition of my pet birds.

With this book learn about:
The importance of nutrition
The building blocks of nutrition like proteins, fats, carbohydrates
Vitamins and minerals
The nutrition relates to anatomy and physiology
Diet basics
Changing a diet
Diet and Diseases
Diet related toxins
Diet as it relates to specific species
Recipes and Speciality Foods
Food Additives
Diet before and after the Egg

Petra Burgmann supplies us with great success a constructive basis for a discussion about nutrition, health and aviculture and you will be aware that there are so many ways to nourish right or wrong.....

Enjoy!

Every bird owner should have this book!
While I own hundreds of books on companion bird care, if I had to choose my top 5 this would be one of them. I honestly think that everyone who has or is even thinking about getting a bird for a pet should read this book! The information is clear, accurate, and easy to understand. It explains fully why dry seeds and fresh water are not enough nutritionally for your birds, and gives several alternative diets.

Useful guide....
Oh what is a parrot owner to do?One book says holly berries are unsafe while another says they are not.While I am not about to feed my parrots Ilex in any form, I have noted that the Mockingbirds and others fight over the holly berries out back, and the pokeberry bushes across the street are stripped clean (and their offspring come up in my yard).Petra Burgmann subscribes to idea that holly plants are unsafe and that birds will eat unsafe things. (How do they survive in the wild?).

I've lived with companion birds for about nine months, and thankfully not killed any of them in spite of the fact Burgman and other authors I've read offer conflicting advice.I guess the rule of thumb is if in doubt, don't do it.I thought I was doing a pretty good job of balancing the nutritional needs of my birds, but on reading Burgmann's book I find there is more I can do. The baby Senegal and Lutino Cockatiel parrots who live with me seem to be more willing to try a variety of foods than do the pair of five-year old Cockatiels I obtained from the shelter last January who are interested in little other than seed.(Burgmann has much to say about seed!)

Following Burgman's advice, I am persisting in morning and afternoon offerings of non-seed items to the reluctant duo.This morning, the female "shelter" Cockatiel (Keena) actually dragged a piece of broccoli from her food dish and pecked at it a few times.This is progress as she generally shuns anything that smacks of plant life with the exception of Cilantro. According to Burgman, she and the other parrots need to eat broccoli or something with Vitamin A on a regular basis.

Burgman points out that birds do not have a very well developed sense of smell, so yesterday I tried a Jalapeño pepper with Bertie the Senegal, and he attacked it madly. Of course the dog was shocked when he tossed the leftovers on the floor for her.This morning, the crew had Pomegranate seeds in honor of Persephone who disappears at this time of the year.Burgmann says birds like texture in their food, so the Pomegranate seeds are a good bet though she does not list them as a nutritious item in her food list. (At least they don't appear on the toxic list!)

Burgman's book includes a somewhat technical discussion of nutrition and bird physiology, but she writes in a clear and concise style that makes it relatively painless to read.I took the book to work and read it while I ate my own lunch. She explains bird food processing relative to human food processing so I could imagine what was happening to my lunch.I had no idea the liver performed so many critical tasks.

Although she provides a good bit of text about bird droppings, I found no pictures. A recent article in BIRD TALK demonstrated droppings can indicated problems.Keena's droppings are colored green (and not from the food she ate), which may indicate fatty liver disease...what birds get if they eat only seed.Uh oh, she just pecked at the broccoli.

Gets You Going in the Right Direction
Need some creative ideas to get your psittacines on a healthy diet? This book will give you the information to help you plan a more beneficial diet for your feathered loved ones.

I would have liked to have gotten more information on presentation; as we know, food is not just sustenance for parrots, it's entertainment as well. Still, this book was invaluable in understanding the intricacies of developing meals which optimize nutritional value.

GREAT! For General and Concise, Quick Reference.
This book is great for learning about nutrition, as well as a quick reference.Whether learning about avian nutrition in general or just needing to apply particular supplementation to the avian diet; it'sappropriate in every sense. Moreover this book reflects on Human nutritiontoo. ... Read more

Product Description
Here is all the information you need to keep these small and gentle members of the pigeon family as household pets. Topics include caging, nutrition, health, behavior, breeding, and genetics of common pet dove species. This heavily illustrated book avoids technical language while offering sound advice and reliable information to current and soon-to-be pet owners. Written by animal specialists, veterinarians, and trainers, the titles in this series focus on pets of all kinds—different dog and cat breeds, birds, fish, reptiles, small animals, yard animals, and even exotic pets. All Pet Owner’s Manuals are filled with high-quality photos and instructive line art. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Complete Pet Owners Manual Doves
Out of the many books that I have purchased on Doves I have found no other resource to provide as in depth and informative insight on keeping Doves as pets as this book. It has information on the many difference species of Doves (some of which I never even knew existed), common illnesses associated with keeping them as pets and how to take care of them properly. If you are looking at keeping Doves as pets this book is your one stop shop and a must buy.

Doves (Complete Pet Owner's Manual)
This book gives basic information about keeping doves as pets. It describes how to choose a healthy bird, gives brief descriptions of different species, describes some illnesses, goes into detail about breeding and genetics, all in all it's a decent book about doves. I was expecting more info on how to deal with diseases, more detailed advice on aviaries, this book focuses on indoor cages. I wouldn't call it a "complete pet owner's manual". Haven't found many books on doves so I'm glad I bought this one. ... Read more

Product Description
In this new Wonder Pets adventure, a baby hummingbird has its beak stuck in an apple. Can the Wonder Pets help?  As Ming-Ming says, "Apple-solutely!" Based on a popular TV episode, this book is sure to be a huge hit with Wonder Pets fans. Go, Wonder Pets! ... Read more

Product Description
With his signature shoulder mascot, Harry, a scarlet macaw, perched proudly on his shoulder, Marc Morrone, Martha Stewart's resident pet keeper has his unique bird style in this new book, Ask the Bird Keeper. In this funny and entertaining book, Marc offers bird owners answers to more than 100 questions on subjects ranging from baths to birdseed, cages to cuttlebones, and much more! With additional tales from decades of bird-keeping and fun illustrations by the gifted illustrator Jason O' Malley, this book is a must-have for any bird owner in search of a creative new way to find all the answers to their feathered friend's problems. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Shares valuable experience and insight
Pet keepers use the internet to meet, socialize, and to learn about how to make their pets happy. I'm one of them and much of the time I see questions met with conflicting advice and long debates. As bird keepers we genuinely want to help one another and increase our own knowledge but too often we lack either the evidence to back up claims we read or experienced people to learn from.

Marc Morrone is in a unique position to help others and has been doing so for many years. Just ask any bird keeper on Long Island, NY (where his store is located) or anyone who's ever watched his various TV shows or appearances. Come to think of it, why couldn't his Saturday morning show "Petkeeping with Marc Morrone" have been around when I was a child, I could have used such a positive TV role model. His many years of experience and success in bird husbandry with many different species leads him to recognize and to remind us of the beauty, intelligence, and uniqueness of all birds. I have to admit, the idea of getting a duck or a pigeon didn't cross my mind while doing research for my first bird. Through this book I realize that those birds may be the perfect complement to some lifestyles and his view is that we shouldn't overlook what they have to offer. This book is a great overview for anyone who wants to incorporate a feathered companion into their lives whether parrotor otherwise. Some of the subjects covered are proper diet, cage selection, health, and games you can play with your bird. He even shares information on how we can better enjoy the wild birds in our own backyards. I have pet parrots and I also enjoy the beauty of all things in nature through hobbies like gardening and bird watching. As do many of you I'm sure.

If having a mutually enriching and personal relationship with your bird is your goal then I highly recommend this book. It's educational for both beginners and experienced bird keepers alike. The author's conversational style in relating his own experiences and directness in addressing common concerns make this book both enjoyable to read and easy to understand. Written in question and answer style "Ask the Bird Keeper" also provides practical training tips and insight into proven methods such as clicker training and positive reinforcement. The tips are easy to implement even for those of you who have busy schedules....and who doesn't? I could always use more time with my birds.
... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Glad we had it onour trip
Purchased this book to take on a weeklong trip to the Dominican Republic. I always like to find a good field guide when we go away and this book filled the bill. Some of the pictures are a bit inconsistent, but I doubt I could have found a better guide to bring along. It's great to be able to figure out what you're seeing. The section on the natural history of the DR is also very good. We went in early August and I would also recommend bringing a butterfly and dragonfly guide as well if you're going at that time of year. Would have liked to identify some of the beautiful flying insects we saw.

Variable but good illustrations, good quality field guide
Basics: 2006, 1st edition, softcover, 258 pages, 57 color plates, 300+ species, range maps

This is a good field guide - and the only one - to focus on the birds of this 2-country island, Hispaniola.All the known species are illustrated and described.Most have multiple illustrations.

The authors take a few progressive liberties with the taxonomy, such as splitting out the Hispaniolan Oriole from the still-recognized Greater Antillean Oriole; or, the Hispaniolan Palm Crow from the combined Palm Crow.

The artistry is good, but with inconsistent styles between plates.The styles of the various illustrators are quite different.I find this slightly distracting.Plate 50 seems more like a mural for a wall or calendar versus the cleaner look of Plate 48 versus the cartoonish style of plate 34 versus a more meticulous plate 20 or 21.The two different Flat-billed Vireos (plates 38 and 43) look like two different species.Again, the plates are good and the accuracy of the field marks are well done; although, the sandpipers could use a bit more distinguishing detail and the beaks of the warblers appear too thin and pointed.

Many of the illustrations will look familiar because they are taken directly from the earlier work "Birds of the West Indies" by Raffaele et.al (1998).Two of the primary illustrators worked on both books.

The text is thorough, focusing on descriptions, similar species, and range.Given the high degree of speciation and subspecies in the surrounding islands, it would have been nice to see a little more - or even any -- reference given to the sister species only an island-hop away.

The range maps show good detail.The authors obviously tried to make the localized distributions show in these maps as denoted by splotchy shading representing altitudinal changes around the highlands.

If you're going to Haiti or to the Dominican Republic for birding, this is the only book you will require for a good trip.

I've listed several related books below...:
1) Aves Comunes de la República Dominicana by Latta/Fernandez
2) The birds of Haiti and the Dominican Republic) by Wetmore
3) The Birds of Hispaniola by Keith
4) Endangered and endemic birds of the Dominican Republic by Dod
5) Aves de la Republica Dominicana by Dod
6) Birds of the West Indies by Bond
7) Birds of the West Indies by Raffaele
8) A Guide to the Birds of the West Indies by Raffaele
9) Photographic Guide to Birds of the West Indies by Flieg ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (22)

very good guide
This guide is short on details but quick to use in the field for identification. Illustrations are small but well laid out.

unimpressive
I bought this book thinking it would be similar to the Princeton illustrated checklist for the non-passarines of South America which I thought was very good - brief yes but good quality paintings with range maps and a short description opposite the plates. The illustrations in this book however, besides being tiny, look more like quick color sketches not much better than what one might scribble in the field to aid in identifying the bird later - certainly not time consuming and thoughtful illustrations by a gifted artist. Also the range maps are all at the back of the book and the descriptions of each bird are so short as to be useless and are often not opposite the plates but a page before or beyond.

Excellent Birding Book
I just got back from a trip to the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuaries in the mountains outside of Mexico City. I'm an avid birder here in the US and knew that being in the mountains we'd get to see some terrific birds along our hikes into the butterfly sanctuaries (which is an absolutely incredible experience I must add).

This bird book was really easy to use with the images of the birds and their names in the first part of the book and the range maps in the back. I had no trouble at all flipping back and forth and even taught our guide how to use it. I ended up leaving the book with him so he can take others on birding walks through the Monarch butterfly sanctuaries as well.

This was the first time he had ever used a bird book and he picked it up quickly too. I wanted to mention that because other reviews that I had read prior to buying it indicated that this was a difficult book to use and it's not at all. Other reviews also indicated that the drawings of the birds were super small and not very good - this is not the case either. They do have a number of birds on each plate but I found this to be a "plus" since it made it easier to compare different birds and figure out which ones I was seeing without having to flip through pages.

It's important to become familiar with any bird book before you go out into the field, study the birds, look at the indicator markings etc. before going out in the field so you aren't trying to process too much info when a bird is zipping by. This book does not point out specific indicator marks but if you look at the pictures you can see the differentiators.

Since I left my copy of this book in Mexico with our guide, I am buying another one to take with me on future trips. I think that's probably the best testament that I can give.

I also have the book by Howell and Webb but it's too thick and heavy to take on a trip where you're wearing a backpack and carrying water and binos and cameras and such.I left the Howell and Webb book at home but it has great images and more information on each bird in it.

Best of both worlds is to study the Howell and Webb book at home before the trip and take this Birds of Mexico and Central America book with you into the field.(For comparison, this book is pretty much the same size and thickness as my Sibleys)

Loved this book
Have taken this book to trips in Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama and it worked wonderfully for all three. I guess that is its strength. Illustrates all birds for Mexico through Panama, including vagrants and migrants. Not a reference book but works as an illustrated check list. Countries like Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala do not have guides which illustrate all their species and this does a wonderful job. There are a couple of errors (Baltimore and Orchard Oriole numbers are switched in illustrations and Striated Heron is shown as juvenile of Green Heron) but overall my favorite book for the region. Compact size.

Great for the field
i bought this book because i wanted to learn some of the birds of mexico. this guide include both mexico and central america in one compact guide. you might think that thats a lot of birds how would each bird get enough space in the book. well thats were the problems come up this book is crammed with 1500 birds and most of thei plumages this includes native birds and birds that occur rarly.the guide does not tell you too much about the birds except a very breif description of their plumages and their habitat. the guide is pretty easy to use all the bird groups are divided into plates and each bird has a number if you want to find the birds range map (all located in the back of the book) heres an example: lets say a bird is on plate 1 and it is number 4 you go to the back of the book to plate 1 and whatever the number the bird is it would be 1.4 and the name of the species is under the map.all those birds together makes comparing them really easy. one thing that is diffrent from most princeton illustrated checklists is that it includes both passrienes and non passerines. i think this guide should not be so broad and cover just one country instead of a lot of them ... Read more

Product Description
Better known in America as the parakeet, the budgerigar is one of the most popular birds kept as a pet. HereÂ's sound advice on caging, feeding, health care, and much more. BarronÂ's extensive line of Complete Pet OwnerÂ's Manuals presents information for non-specialist animal owners and prospective owners, with facts about each animalÂ's origins and traits, as well as advice on purchasing, housing, feeding, health care, and much more. Each book is individually written by a trainer, breeder, veterinarian, or other animal specialist. Titles in this series cover every popular breed of dog and cat, freshwater and marine fish, many bird varieties, and virtually all other animals that are kept as pets. All books are filled with handsome color photos and instructive line illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

budgeriars book
this book has really good info. the pictures are very high quality. i recomend it since it isnt that much to read, if you wanna get things done.

Very good
This is a very good little book, packed with useful information about parakeets. I thought its small size might mean a limited scope, but it is thorough and comprehensive, well worth the price.

Good book for explaining budgie behavior
While it's a fairly slim volume, and not particularly detailed about the mundane aspects of keeping a budgie, I'd rate this book highly. Why? Because it takes a modern approach which emphasizes the bird's needs and wants over the human's.

In particular, the book stresses the importance of gaining the bird's trust, and describes how to go about doing so. It talks about why it's better to have two budgies than a single one. It also stresses the importance of allowing the bird to fly freely in the home for at least.

So it may not be the only budgie book you need, but it should certainly be on your list.

excellent book
I am building a parakeet library in preparation of buying a budgie for my 5 and 7 year olds. This book is visually appealing and easy to read. Nice, shiny pages with up-to-date, beautiful photographs with excellent information and details. Not just the usual chapter-by-chapter book. It has special pages with colored sections and various formating making this a fun book to read.

Budgies and Parakeets....
As far as I am concerned, when it comes to books on pet birds, Barron's is the best.BUDGERIGARS by Immanuel Birmelin (translated by Matthew Vriends) falls into this category, although it is somewhat condensed compared with other books on the market.Birmelin covers all the important issues, such as caging, food, and other aspects of care.

My favorite section is about "playing" with your pet Budgie.Budgies are intelligent little parrots and you can have hours of fun if you choose to by providing them with sources of amusement.Birmelin lists `The 10 Most Popular Games' you can play with your Budgie and "How-To: Fun and Games." Did you know you could play card games with Budgies?

Although we never want to think about the possibility, sometimes your Budgie gets sick.Birmelin includes a section "If Your Bird Gets Sick" that gives you some ideas of what you can do besides get upset. In this section he includes a `Checklist -Preventing Illness' which is helpful especially if this is your first bird.Keeping his cage clean is a good thing to do, and spending time with him every day will keep him happy.A happy Budgie is a healthy Budgie. ... Read more

Product Description
From special diet suggestions to explaining how to create the ideal housing environment for your feathered companion, this book is the perfect guide to learning more about these talented and social birds. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A Must Have for would be cockatiel owners

If you're thinking of adding cockatiels to your family, this book gives a lot of insight about their care and diet. It's easy to read and has lots of pictures on the variations.Cockatiels are very easy going, and well tempered, and caring for them is not difficult.Follow the advice in this book and you won't be disappointed.

Great book
We had already read this book after checking it out from the library.It was a good, relevant book so we bought it as reference for our new pet.

Great Cockatiel Overview
This book is a great overview for the first-time cockatiel owner.The layout is great and the pictures are both beautiful and instructive.It gives a little bit about food, illness and overall what to expect as a cockatiel owner.It is a great starting point for other books such as "Holistic Care for Birds" (McCluggage) and "The Healthy Bird Cookbook" (Deutsch).This is also a very helpful book to have if you are a cockatiel owner with kids, as it is a very kid-friendly book which the whole family can enjoy.

Cockatiels
So far it has been real informative about cockatiels,and how to take care of them.

This book is awesome!
I loved the layout, it's well written and organized in a fun, helpful, and informative way. ... Read more

Product Description
These beautiful multicolored birds are native to Australia. When kept as pets, they thrive on seeds and fresh fruit. Here's reliable information on cage maintenance and general care of this popular bird. Barron's extensive line of Complete Pet Owner's Manuals presents information for non-specialist animal owners and prospective owners, with facts about each animal's origins and traits, as well as advice on purchasing, housing, feeding, health care, and much more. Each book is individually written by a trainer, breeder, veterinarian, or other animal specialist. Titles in this series cover every popular breed of dog and cat, freshwater and marine fish, many bird varieties, and virtually all other animals that are kept as pets. All books are filled with handsome color photos and instructive line illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Gouldian Finches
With this book I made a very knowledgable decision on my willingness to take on this Pet

Gouldian Finches
I thought the book was a very resourceful book except for one major problem... my book was missing an entire chapter on Nutrition! The entire pages were just not there!! I would have liked to been informed on this important detail, however I thought the book, in general was very helpful. ... Read more

Product Description
Backyard Birds is an exciting new series of books that explores the top 25 backyard birds most commonly found in each state.
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Customer Reviews (3)

East book to understand
Backyard Birds of Texas is a book that is easy to understand--it has where the birds live, migrate etc. It has a picture of USA and color coded where the birds live.It has great pictures of the birds too. I love this book.

Very Informative Book
I bought this book for my husband because he loves to watch and identify the birds in our area.He was thrilled with the book!!

Good book for casual birding
This is a good source for backyard birding.There are many but this is compact and accurate.
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