Category Books

The Simple Guide To Bird Care and Training »

Authors: Julie Rach
ISBN-13: 9780793821051, ISBN-10: 0793821053
Format: Paperback
Publisher: TFH Publications, Inc.
Date Published: April 2002
Edition: (Non-applicable)

Author Biography: Julie Rach

Book Synopsis

A pet bird is a big commitment -- bigger than most people realize -- so it's important that you be prepared for all the joys and challenges that lie ahead. The Simple Guide to Bird Care & Training provides the tools you'll need to select the right bird, welcome it into your home, and keep it happy and healthy. With chapters on feeding, housing, health care, and training, this handbook will cover all you need to know to care for your new companion. The book also includes helpful tips and expert solutions to the most common situations faced by owners -- from problem behaviors such as feather picking and biting to training issues such as wing clipping and talking. Most importantly, the book uses compassion and humor to help you transform your new pet into a cherished and well-adjusted member of your family.

Part 1	Bringing A Bird Into Your Life	7
Chapter 1	Starting Out	9
	Questions to Answer	11
	Where Will You Get Your Bird?	14
	Hand-feeding: To Finish or Not To Finish	17
	Is A Young or Mature Bird Right For Me?	18
	Birds in the Wild	20
	The History of Bird-keeping	24
Chapter 2	The Birds	29
	African Greys	31
	Amazons	33
	Brotogeris	35
	Caiques	38
	Canaries	39
	Cockatiels	41
	Cockatoos	43
	Conures	46
	Eclectus	48
	Finches	50
	Lories and Lorikeets	52
	Lovebirds	54
	Macaws	56
	Parakeets	59
	Parrotlets	62
	Pionus	64
	Psittacula Parakeets	66
	Quaker Parakeets	68
	Senegals	71
	Aviary Birds	73
Chapter 3	Going Home	75
	Bird-Handling Basics	76
	Bird-Proofing Your Home	77
	Fitting in the Feathers	79
	Selecting A Veterinarian	82
	Homecoming Day	83
Chapter 4	Happy Homemaking	87
	Choosing A Cage	88
	The Playgym	92
	Choosing Fun, Safe Toys	93
	Location, Location, Location	94
	The Aviary Option	95
	Basic Pet Bird Care	101
Part 2	Caring For A Bird	105
Chapter 5	An Insider's Look At Bird Behavior	107
	Normal Flock Behavior	109
	Normal Captive Parrot Behavior	111
	Behaviors That Indicate Illness	112
	Bored Bird Behaviors	113
	Behaviors That Indicate Stress	114
	Interpreting Bird Body Language	115
	Socializing Your Bird	117
	Bonding With Your Bird	117
	Behavior Problems and How To Solve Them	118
	Double the Feathers, Double the Fun	123
Chapter 6	Feeding and Nutrition	127
	Bird Food Basics	127
	The Organic Option	130
	What's In This Stuff?	131
	Served Fresh Daily	132
	Other Menu Items	133
	Special Needs of Lories	134
Chapter 7	Here's To Good Health!	135
	How To Find an Avian Veterinarian	135
	Your First Office Visit	136
	Pet Bird Health Problems	137
	First Aid	142
	The Parrot Life Span	147
	Caring For Older Birds	148
	Birds With Special Needs	151
	When A Bird Dies	153
	When A Bird is Left Behind	157
Chapter 8	Looking Good	159
	Bathing	160
	Nail Trimming	161
	Wing Trimming	162
	Feathers	164
Part 3	Beyond The Basics	177
Chapter 9	Training Your Bird	179
	The Ups and Downs of Training	180
	A Daily Routine	180
	How to Discipline A Pet Parrot	181
	Tricks to Teach A Parrot	183
	Setting Up A Classroom	185
	Beginning Tricks	186
	More Advanced Tricks	187
	Parrot Potty Training	188
	How Do I Teach My Bird To Talk?	189
Chapter 10	Breeding	193
	Breeding Basics	194
	When To Handle Chicks	197
	How To Hand-Feed Chicks	197
	Banding Baby Parakeets	199
	Taking Wing	200
	Breeding Questions	201
	Too Many Eggs	204
Chapter 11	Fun and Games	207
	Games You Can Play With Your Bird	207
	Traveling With Your Bird	209
	Traveling To See Birds	214
	Showing Your Bird	214
	Resources	219
	Index	221