3 comments about Taming and Training Cockatiels.

1. All i can say is GREAT. I have never owned a bird and this is what i needed to find all the info about buying, raising, and caring for the new member of the family. Highly recommended.



2. I just read the only review for this book....come on, it's not that bad at all. Risa Teitler has written some of the finest books on taming and training pet birds. This book is informative and has lots of practical information in it that covers all aspects of taking care of these unique birds. The book is 92 pages long, and the section on breeding starts on page 76 and goes to the end of the book, so that is a lot of breeding information for a beginner, but it says right there in the text that "...breeding birds are not usually tame to their owners once they begin rearing a family....if possible, keep a single pet and buy other cockatiels for breeding." So, forewarned is forearmed in this case. This fact is true of many other pet birds as well. At least she was honest about it.
   And, of course the pictures are great, I mean who doesn't think that cockatiels are cute? I have given this book 4 stars because I thought it was a decent read and most people would like it.



3. Absolutely without a doubt the best thing about Teitler's `Taming and Training Cockatiels' is the wonderful color photographs, but aren't most color photographs of cockatiels charming? Decent photographs are insufficient criteria to distinguish a book on birds. The book is written in a boring style that reads like, `look, here are my pets, aren't they great?' The book lacks focus and unsuccessfully attempts to cover too much material. There are promising introductory sections intended for readers that have never owned a bird before where instructions on making `first contact' without terrorizing the cockatiel are given. However, just a few pages later there is a large section on breeding birds. Surely it's unwise for a novice who wants a tame, loveable pet bird to delve into breeding at the same time? If the author had focused on one area, such as a guidebook for the new bird owner while avoided irrelevant distractions, I might have been able to suggest this book.

2 comments about Taming and Training Your First Budgerigar.

1. Greetings...here's a real review for Risa Tetler's Taming and Training Your First Budgerigar. (also known to Americans as the Parakeet.) Her simple and easy-to-understand training method for these smart and crafty little birdies is very practical and can be followed by anyone with a desire to learn more about their behavior, and how we as pet owners should best interact with them. At this writing, I have 4 parakeets and I use this book along with other bird books, but I think I like Ms. Tetler's training method best. This book is priced low enough that it should be easily available to any parakeet/budgerigar owner, of any age. Her other books are also very helpful, especially the African Grey book if you are interested. Remember, though that every parakeet is different in temperment, and your success in training them will depend on your degree of patience as well as your pet's tolerance level for being handled and played with. Good Luck to all bird owners out there!



2. i love this boo

2 comments about Hand-Rearing Birds.

1. Thanks for sending exactly what was ordered. It was a fast shipment and the book was in excellent condition! Thank you!



2. The prodcut arrived in a timely manner and was free from damage. The person who received it as a gift was very pleased and felt it had even more info than she originally thought. She is a bird rehabilitator so and takes care of lots of babies every year so if she thought it was a good book, it probably was.

5 comments about Hand-Feeding and Raising Baby Birds: Breeding, Hand-Feeding, Care, and Management.

1. 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.



2. 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.



3. If you have patience, you can get a good "overview" of handfeeding pet baby birds here..

   If not.. I suggest you go elsewhere.

   Dr.Vriends thoughts are disorganized, self-congratulatory, and all over the place. He could of used an intelligent editor here.

   Each chapter has information that is right out of the authors head-- instead of organizing laying of eggs, incubating, feeding, etc. in concise chapters. The chapters repeat lots of information. I found it very hard to follow-- trying to turn forward and back to other chapters with "sort of" the same topic.

   I respect Dr. Vriends expertise on most everything...but, the points on this book are not organized.

   What if you don't want to feed the baby birds when they first hatch? What if you want to socialize them while still letting the mom and dad feed? There are lots of places here where I left scratching my head-- and re-reading the convoluted syntax in this book asking "what is he trying to say here"?

   This book definately is written from the standpoint of out of the incubator, into the breeders hands...

   Dr. Vriends, you have more experience on this to share, don't you? Too professional a book...




4. It's a good book and easy to read, but it's more focussed on professional breeding than it is for people who just bought a bird and want more information about raising and hand-feeding. Even though it's good reading material.



5. This book takes the novice from the very beginning. It covers every aspect of handfeeding. Concise, easy to read, with great colour pictures. I would recommend this book to the beginning handfeeder as well as those who are experienced.

5 comments about Birds for Dummies.

1. My favorite of the bird books so far. Great illustrations and info for all ages.



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



3. 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!!



4. 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.



5. 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.

5 comments about Extraordinary Chickens.

1. This hefty little book is a surprise on every page. I've always known chickens were beautiful, as all fowl, poultry and gamebirds are. But these lovely macros of the breed standards are really just incredible, from a fellow writer/photographer's point of view. Whatever your interest in these birds, be it a curiosity or a hobby, you will love this book.
   
   I also like the size. Easy to find on my overloaded bookshelves. So kudos to Mr. Green-Armytage, for a job well done. Chickens aren't the most cooperative subjects for a photo shoot. I just wonder how many hours to photograph plus travel time he has into this!



2. My dad raised chickens all of his life. He had many breeds and varieties. He no longer has the chickens and when I saw this book I thought he would enjoy it. I gave it to him for Christmas and when he opened it he looked through it right away and said, "Maybe I need to get some chickens again." The pictures are great. Everyone at the party enjoyed the book and I know my dad will enjoy it over and over again.



3. Even though it did not have lots and lots of facts, the pictures make this book well worth buying.



4. Beautiful photographs and interesting information. Great coffee table book! A book you can enjoy for years to come and a great conversation starter!!!



5. It's really amazing the amount of pictures with full details! I found it lovable! The amount of information it has it IS enough and great! If you don't know anything about chickens or don't know how many diferent kind of breed are in the world, this book it's perfect.It gives you everything you need to know straight to the point! And for those that love chickens it's a perfect addition to their books collection!

5 comments about Zebra Finches Complete Owner's Manual.

1. This book is a complete owner's manual for people who own zebra finches . It is an excellent book and arrived on the date projected .



2. This is an excellent book but it is too short. I would have liked to have seen more information.
   
   His chapter on habitat and distribution is great, it follows with behavior and flocks and colonies. He has interesting and useful pictures of the birds in the wild, but they are all on one page. You kind of say, ''oh,'' when it should have been ''wow.''
   
   It had tremendous potential but it seems like someone took a scissor and hacked off too much original content.
   
   The illustrations are great, and they are all of Zebra finches. He includes drawings and pictures of aviaries, and other housing options, suggestions galore.
   
   Then, in the section on ''health care,'' someone cut and pasted a picture of a canary having its nails clipped.
   
   It places a caption, ¨trim your bird's nails carefully to avoid injury.¨ It just seems to scream ''aw to hell with it, we gotta press.'' Bad, shabby attitude.
   
   ... Hopefully trim your Zebra's nails more carefully, than the guys who edited the book would have!
   
   The canary shown is also twice the size of a Zebra finch. The author suggests holding the little claw up to a light, to not cut into a blood vessel; far from what the picture demonstrates.
   
   Despite the shortcomings, which appear to be out of the author, Hans Jurgen Martin's control, ¨Zebra Finches¨ is an informative, fun read. His love for these little birds is so clear, and just as contagious.



3. Excellent book arrived within a week of purchasing it and arrived in excellent condition.



4. This is a must have book for a new owner. I found it to be very helpful and an easy read. After reading a few other books I still had many unanswered questions. This book answered almost all of them! In the future I will buy all books about Zebra Finches written buy Hans-Jurgen Martin.



5. This is a must have book for a new owner. I found it to be very helpful and an easy read. After reading a few other books I still had many unanswered questions. This book answered almost all of them! In the future I will buy all books about Zebra Finches written buy Hans-Jurgen Martin.

3 comments about Seahorses: Everything About History, Care, Nutrition, Handling, and Behavior (Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manuals).

1. ... in under 100 pages!
   I wish it had gotten more in depth on variously commonly kept species, and gotten more in depth about breeding...
   This is a great introductory book on how to set up your aquarium for seahorses and gives a decent overview of feeding and nutrition. Supplement this book with more species specific information, which can be found online in the various forums about seahorse keeping.



2. This book is very small. It gives a brief description of each of the major breeds of seahorses. I was hoping for more specific and detailed information for those of us who want to learn to raise them. You also definately need an additional saltwater aquarium book.



3. I've always thought seahorses were unique and would like to learn to care for them and set up my own aquarium. I never realized how many different breeds there are! This book gives a lot of information about how to care for seahorses and equipment you need. It also talks about their different habits and how to get the most out of your pet. It doesn't give a whole lot of information on caring for your salt water acquarium. It seems it's for people who already know the basics, even though it gives you good information on how to care for your seahorses in the saltwater tank. If you don't know a lot about saltwater acquariums (like me) I would suggest buying this book along with Saltwater Acquariums for Dummies. But all in all it is a good book!

2 comments about Easy-to-Make Bird Feeders for Woodworkers.

1. Illustrations for building needed to be clearer with more detail and the text was too confusing.



2. Scott D. Campbell has put a plethora of information in this concise book detailing feeding birds. He has included not only plans for the construction of feeders, but information on how to attract various species of birds by offering their favorite meals in an attractive format.

   There are clear drawings, dimensions and materials lists for all the projects. Basic information regarding construction techniques with a variety of materials are detailed. He even includes some "squirrel proof" designs.

   There are charts detailing what type of common and not-so-common feeds many different species eat and how many species are attracted by each feed. He has also depicted breed specific feeders. How to locate, mount and stock your completed projects is also detailed.

   Beginner or not, if you are looking for a manual to make simple feeders and attract birds with them, this is the only book you'll need. Mr. Campbell has once again set the standard for bird lover's projects.

2 comments about Swan Keeper's Handbook: A Guide to the Care of Captive Swans.

1. There is not a lot of material devoted entirely to keeping swans, and this experienced group of people really stepped up and created one. It's well written, answers all the basic questions and many fine points and beautifully illustrated. Thank you for this reference! I shall certainly include in my next book, How to Raise Poultry, to follow How To Raise Chickens: Everything You Need To Know (How to Raise...).



2. I have read this book cover-to-cover several times. I bought the book about a year before getting my first pair of swans. I have learned so much about keeping and caring for swans. The books is a complete, comprehensive guide. There are many pictures, which adds to its usefulness. Since getting my swans, I have referred to the book. We are hoping to have our first babies in the spring. I feel I have been well-prepared for this event!