5 comments about The Conure: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet.

1. This is a great intro to Conures for people who are thinking of adopting one. It gives a write up on 25 different species of Conures. It gives a nice over view of what Conure species might be right for you by mentioning noise levels and habits like prone to chewing or feather plucking. It is pretty good in mentioning the responsibilites that come with bird ownership. I think this is important for everyone to know before getting a bird of any kind! The book did get into all kinds of care items to from medical to feeding to grooming and even some tricks & games training.
   
   My favorite part was learning that some Conures will actually sleep on their backs in their food dishes! (HAHA) Other good tips included how to administer meds if you have a sick bird. It gave me some good basic tips.
   
   Things I didn't agree with is not kissing your bird on it's beak and feeding it some low-fat dairy (I don't give my birds any dairy) but to be fair the book did say only a tiny bit because they lack the enzymes to digest dairy. As for the beak thing, I understand the point about human siliva being bad for birds but I certainly don't slobber on my birds!
   
   Overall, I would recommend reading this book if you are thinking of getting a Conure, you just got a Conure and you need to know what to do, or you have one and just can't get enough info on them. It is somewhat basic for any of you that are already experience bird owners though.
   
   Note: Consider visiting a local bird rescue if you are considering a pet bird!



2. When I bought this book, I also purchased Conure books by Anne Watkins and Matthew Vriends. GUIDE TO CONURE is not the best of the three, in my opinion. However, that said, if this is the book you can find then get it and use it. The book is a hard back whereas the others are soft covered books (if that matters), and Rach covers all the basics regarding food, shelter, health issues, etc. In fact, you could use much of the material in her book for any bird's care. She also includes a nice section on the various types of Conures and sections on Conure health that cover issues of concern to this species in particular as well as things to beware of if your Conure is a "free-flight" bird.
   
   Rach includes a nice long section on cage selection as does Watkins. If you haven't given much thought to the cage you should. Conures can be messy birds and you want to buy something big enough to house your guy made of a substance he can't dismantle that is relatively easy to clean. This means you must think about the cage in terms of space considerations and weight. When the FedEX guy delivered my conure's cage he accused me of ruining his health. There are great cages available, but you should consider the cost of the cage and it's accessories when you buy your bird. Rach's book will help you reflect on these and other issues



3. I LOVE this book because most other books on Conures put WAY to much focus on breeding, which is good if you are an avid breeder, but can be a pain if you keep, or want to keep, a Conure as a pet. When I was thinking of getting a Conure, I bought one book, it told me SO little, then I bought another, same stuff said, in a different form, THEN I found this book, and that made me deicide on a Sun Conure, I would recommend it to people who are considering getting a bird the most, it tells you what might happen if you get a Conure, it doesn't try to mask the fact that Conures are VERY high need birds, if there is anything wrong with it is that the author doesn't seem to call a bird a he or a she, its weird, but WHO(???) cares, sometimes when I write I make it them problems, and it is understood, so that didn't bother me, but I had to find at least 1 thing wrong with it, and that was all I could think of!
   Hope this helps!!!



4. My family and I have two parakeets and two cockatiels; they are such energetic members of the family and are so loved that we decided to add another bird - you guessed it, a conure. When we brought our Jenday conure home (at 12 weeks old), we had little knowledge of how to take care of a "larger" bird - that is, until we bought and read Julie Rach's fabulous book. It is written in such an easy, friendly style that it's almost addictive to read - and add to this all the up-to-the-minute information on care and proper diet - it's the Conure Bible! We don't hesitate for a moment to say - GO OUT AND GET THIS BOOK!! You and your conure(s) will be glad you did!



5. This is a truly informative book. I was leary about buying this book. Some of the other books i bought seemed to be written for idiots, and i was bored quickly. This one answered all of my questions and went into hard to find detail. I highly recommend this to people who own other birds and are already experienced in bird keeping. It is not just the basics, but the odd things that apply to just Conures. BUY THIS!

5 comments about Lovebirds: Everything About Housing, Care, Nutrition, Breeding, and Diseases : With a Special Chapter, Understanding Lovebirds (A Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. This book appears to have all info necessary for keeping lovebirds. It was an enjoyable read, an easy read and not boring, the author knew what he was talking about.



2. This book is TERRIBLE for the first time lovebird owner. I bought this book a couple years back and ended up not following much of the advice because I found an experienced bird person at an awesome bird store. Thank goodness!
   Among the blatant lies in this man's book are:
   1. Handle your lovebird with gloves.
   NEVER handle a parrot with gloves on. It scares them. If you are afraid of being bitten, don't buy a bird.
   2. Saying handfed lovebirds are only friendly to the person who handfed them.
   LIE. Handfed birds are very friendly and will easily bond with their human flock.
   3. (my favorite) "Children must be told that lovebirds ordinarily can't be carried around the room on a shoulder or finger."
   Care to explain why my SINGLE lovebird loves to sit on my shoulder and easily steps up for me?
   4. They will never learn to imitate.
   5. They must be kept singly.
   I can't even begin to argue this one. It's ludicrous.
   My recommendation? Don't buy this book!
   It will only lead to many unhappy, unhealthy lovebirds. This man should have his right to write taken away.



3. As the owner of six new love birds, I found Matthew Vriends LOVEBIRDS A Complete Owner's Manual relatively helpful. I knew little about love birds when I read the book and know a only a little more now. The book did not answer many of my questions, though it raised a few points about love birds I would never have asked. For example, the caption of one photograph says the coloration of the peach-faced lutino lovew bird is sex linked, however, I could not discover which sex was linked. This book is not nearly as comprehensive (or thick) as the title leads one to believe nor is it filled with as much information as other books in the `Barrons' series on parrots including the Senegal and African Grey, however the book is filled with lovely photographs and a number of illustrative drawings.

   LOVEBIRDS includes text and maps describing the origins of various types of birds in the family. Vriends apparently owns love birds which he maintains in an outdoor aviary. He includes a good deal of information about keeping love birds in outdoor aviaries, so some of his information such as dealing with frozen toes and vermin that attack birds living aviaries (ticks, rats, mice, etc.) as well as raising love bird babies, may be less than useful for folks like me who keep birds indoors and want to understand "beak fighting" know in advance that clipping their little wings may make it difficult for them to move around an aviary. Although these cute little guys are accused by some of being less than loving, my short experience has shown me that plenty of seed cups and members of the opposite sex alleviates some of the rivalry.




4. Cute pictures and thats all. Bad info...says you shouldn't have a single lovebird! Thats ubsurd. I have one sitting on my shoulder right now and shes definately happy. It is true you have to spend a lot of time with a single lovie but I know its possible!!



5. Faith, our Peach-faced Lovebird thanx the author, Matthew Vriends
   many times over for writing this book. Small in size, easy on the pocketbook, yet filled with a wealth of wisdom about raising & caring for these precious creatures of God.
   From hand feeding to housing, playing to protecting, care and concerns, how to, don't do, in simple language, "Lovebirds" is a winner!
   The information on illness, disease,& what to do, was invaluable. In fact, we were able to proceed in Faith's best health interest before the Vet's visit.
   Buy it, highlight, read, & reread this wonderful owner's companion.

1 comments about Lovebirds (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. Mary Gorman has lots of information for anyone thinking of buying a lovebird. Read before buying the bird.

3 comments about The Complete Book of Finches and Softbills: Their Care and Breeding.

1. This book does not cover the different types of finches & softbills. It is very general information only, on breeding and care of finches & softbills, no help to the person wanting more specific info. on the different types of finches and their care.



2. I think this is a very good, detailed book for someone new to finches & softbills. At times, it flips back & forth between finches & softbills in a paragraph, which can be confusing for a novice, but it's easy to figure out. It has enough nice pictures to give a good overview of many species, but is not a "picture book" - it is for someone who is serious about the birds and their care. Early on it has a section of compatability which is useful and neccessary. It has a lot of details on aviary housing (many finch books do), and bird rooms, which isn't useful to the average home/apt. bird owner, but more information is better than too little. It is definitely a good resource book.



3. This book encapsulates the best possible groundwork for the beginner to still leaqrning softbill fan. Comprehensive care and breeding "how to's"
   I enjoyed this book immensely and learned some breeding tips even.Thanks

3 comments about The Guide to Owning a Conure (Guide to Owning).

1. It is a good book, but I was expecting something more complete and "in detail".



2. Conure lovers... you need this book. Excellent information on the daily needs and common sense thoughts about conures. No pitty pat information, just good ole fashioned reading which will really help one increase thier knowledge surrounding these birds.



3. Don't be fooled by this book's small number of pages. Great information on care, feeding, breeding, and even some updates on the taxonomy of conures. This book is up to date and accurate. I'd recommend it for advanced or novice conure keepers.

5 comments about The New Canary Handbook: Everything About Purchase, Care, Diet, Disease, and Behavior : With a Special Chapter on Understanding Canaries (New Pet Handbooks).

1. This is the quintessential canary handbook; easy to read and understand, filled with excellent photos and advice, with a good section on genetics if you should choose to breed these marvelous little birds. Vriends is a wonderful writer, well-organized on all the chapters in the aspects of canary breeding; his love of the birds comes through on every page. I have raised canaries for several years, and recommend this book to every person who has ever procured a bird from me---in fact, if they have not had a canary before, I always tell them to buy THIS book first, read it and THEN call me back. It is an invaluable resource tool.



2. Having been involved in care of all sorts of animals for over 40 years and habitually buying books about each, I can say without reservation that this book is the best value for the dollar that I have ever purchased. Matthew Vriends is an internationally recognized expert on the species and he has provided us with an extraordinary handbook. The information, illustrations and photographs exceed anything I have ever purchased in a paperback edition of an animal care book.



3. Very clear. Covers feeding, housing, breeding, and genetics,as well as common diseases and household medicines that can be used to treat various conditions to which canaries are susceptible. However, an owner who does not want to breed might grow tired of the focus on breeding. Also, owners with canaries who were not handfed as babies may assume there is something wrong with their bird because the book discusses relatively tame handfed canaries and neglacts state that their tameness and willingness to be handled is not true of birds who were not hand fed. So be aware that if your bird does not like to be handled, this is normal. In fact, a non hand fed canary who does not struggle when caught may be ill. One final note: Information and medicating are fine, but misdiagnosis can occur,so it is good to also be have the name of a vet.



4. Dr. Vriends' book is a comprehensive guide to keeping canaries. He is an expert on aviculture who has published many books on its various aspects. The present book covers canaries of type, color, and song varieties and is richly illustrated with photographs and drawings which bring the readable text to life. The information contained in the book is wide-ranging and accurate.



5. Yes!...This is a very valuable book to have. The format and layout are just perfect. Information?..it's all here. I'm going to use this book often.

5 comments about Hen and the Art of Chicken Maintenance: Reflections on Raising Chickens.

1. Okay I was a little surprised that this book was written by someone in England (I think). It was a very funny book. I was looking for information on raising chickens and it gave me an insight to the fowl personality. After reading this book I decided not to raise any chickens. It was funny though. And realize this book is not an American's perspective. I did not know that before reading the book. If you are undecided as to if you want to keep chickens as a hobby then you need to read this book before making your final decision.



2. I loved this book. It had a lot of information about chickens although it isn't a complete chicken raising manual. I highly recommend it as an addition to other chicken books for learning about chickens.
   
   I also recommend it for anyone who isn't interested in raising chickens as it is a great story.



3. I thought this book was wonderful.....An easy read--perfect for curling up at night and reading a chapter or two--I didn't want it to end! For those who have chickens, you will find yourself laughing out loud at the stories (who hasn't encountered an 'oops' rooster??!) as the author stumbles through the life lessons that chickens undoubtably provide! For those who don't have chickens, its still an entertaining read--full of humor--the names the author gives his chickens (Egghead, Bald Bird, etc.) had me laughing all the time......
   However, this book is not too great on the facts--I found several discrepancies that the auther had not researched and were based more in theory than anything, but who cares??? The book was great fun and I suggest it to all. Actually a fabulous book to read aloud to someone as well. Thoroughly entertaining!



4. I must say this book was quite addictive. Once I picked it up it was hard to put down. The author's style of writing, was easy to read. He told this story in such a personal way about his flock of chickens. Being a small flock owner I liked the real and not overly scripted way he told of his enjoyments and heartbreaks in the chicken raising endeavor. The lengths that us chicken keepers will go to save the health of a pet is amazing. After reading about the author & the chicken Yvette and her/his physical therapy I was in stitches laughing!!
   
   The only thing that I didn't like about this book was all the cursing and cutesy chicken shagging references. The reason I don't like these remarks is that this otherwise would've been a book I'd of liked to share with my younger neice.
   
   There is also a kind of sequel to this book called I believe Traveling with a Man and his chicken.



5. Although it's not written in an informational format, I learned a thing or two about chicken raising, and I've had chickens for years.
   I very much enjoyed the chicken stories told by the author and related to more than one.
   The antics of his rooster Fred were so similar to my rooster's behavior that I laughed long and hard. Then I waited up for my daughter to return home so I could share that story with her as she is constantly telling me that my rooster belongs in the cook pot not roaming the yards for his Fred type antics.
   This book is entertaining and informative, and if you are wondering if chickens really behave that way, let me assure that yes by all means, they do!

5 comments about Mrs. Ballard's Parrots.

1. Mrs. Ballard's Parrots
   
   The most amazing book and story. I love it



2. A book filled with parrots dressed up in costumes and photographed in appropriate settings. I would have loved to be in the room when this was proposed to the publisher.
   
   The result is page after page of hilariously enchanting, fun, and meticulously created scenes. So meticulous that once you stop laughing, you kind of HAVE to sit back and wonder about the person who clearly dedicated many months of long, long days to get these just right. It's very existance is a reason to smile through your day.
   
   If you have any sense of humor at all, get this book today. You will never regret it.



3. There are photos of parrots dressed as famous actors and actresses. Great little coffee table book. I gave one to my neice who loves dressup as I thought she would really appreciate the costumes on the parrots.



4. Not only lots of photos..but the history of how they came about. Being a fellow parrot owner, it was delightful.



5. Mrs. Ballard is truly gifted! As an artist, I am impressed with her obsessive devotion to her wacky vision and to producing her costumes and sets. As the owner of two parrots, I am amazed at her ability to enlist their cooperation in her endeavour. We have owned Zeppo, a Mexican Red Head, for almost thirty years, and I can't even get him to wear a hat.

5 comments about Amazon Parrots Complete Owner's Manual.

1. I also found this book extremely outdated (the original version was written in 1987 and there has been an enormous amount of research and experience with captive parrots since then that has revolutionized the way parrots are perceived and kept), with much information that is contradictory, confusing or incomplete. This is indeed a "dangerous" book for someone who knows little or nothing about Amazons (or parrots in general) and is looking for advice and information. Examples: In considering "Amazons as pets" the "warnings" are incomplete and/or euphemistic (most Amazons will outlive their care-takers; they not only "soil things", they are outright destructive if not constantly supervised; owning an Amazon, or any parrot, is a major committment to a labor-intensive responsibility that is time-, energy-, money- and attention-consuming and should not be undertaken lightly); the "Advice for buying" is terrible!! and any parrot book written these days, especially for the American market, is not complete if it does not mention the thousands of parrots that are given up every year to shelters and rescues - many of these birds are desperately in need of a good home and can be adopted by serious people; under "Dangers for your Amazon", fumes from Teflon pans in the kitchen are not mentioned and these can be speedily fatal; the diet advice is simply awful!; advice to breed to preserve the species that are threatened with extinction is completely wrong - parrots bred in captivity do not contribute in any way to preserving the species, as is now recognized by conservationists.
   At least one of the addresses given under "Information" is completely out of date; a large number of the references have nothing to do with Amazon parrots, but are about budgies, African grays or Australian parrots - Amazons, as the name implies, come from South and Middle America.
   Yes, the pictures are lovely, but the incorrect and misleading information make this book one that should be removed from the shelves.
   Anyone looking for good up-to-date parrot information can best consult the Internet - there are a myriad of excellent sites, with forums for questions. Here you can also get recommendations for books that will really be helpful, informative and up-to-date. Be sure to look at many RELIABLE sites to get a good over-view the pro's and con's of parrot owning before beginning - we are talking about living, intelligent beings here, not playthings.



2. The book not only provides scant and outdated information, some of it is erroneous, and quite a part of it harmful. I am quoting the ones I can remember: amazons, like all parrots, do NOT need to be fed grit; not only cherry, but a lot of other types of fruit tree wood are poisonous to parrots, including apple and apricot; acorns and celery are both harmful to parrots, and should not be fed to them. All in all, this is a guide to quickly and painfully disposing of your pet, and ought to be avoided. I don't give it one star mainly because it has some pretty pictures.



3. After purchasing just about every Amazon Parrot book out there and being disappointed, I found this one. Instead of pretty photos and general narrative fluff, this book has good solid information for anyone interested in the species. Thank you.



4. As a new Amazon owner I was looking for a species-specific book that would give me detailed information about my blue-front. Unfortunately this book seemed superficial, simplistic, and somewhat out-dated (with some information actually contrary to what is widely recommended now). It has some wonderful pictures, and fragments of useful species information, but overall I think there are better general care books available (certainly more detailed), and this book's Amazon-specific information was sketchy.



5. I bought this book to help me learn more about the amazona genus that I was considering as a pet. But what I found was a book written before 1992 which was around the time importation was banned and hand raising and breeding birds within the United States had became more common. This resulted in very little information about todays common amazons. Also, this book described all the the precautions one must take to ensure the saftey of your wild caught bird, precautions that are now just plain useless! Though if what you are looking for is a picture book about amazons, this is almost a good book for you.

2 comments about Your Outta Control Bird (Outta Control).

1. This books gives you a way of relating to issues with birds... biting, screaming, feather plucking and many more. You'll gain a perspective from a pet birds point of view ... and be able to translate what it cannot say in human words to make it's life (and yours) much happier.



2. Without a doubt one of the BEST books I've read on birds! Informative and fun to read. Helps to understand the way birds think. Truly sound advice on how to remedy behavioral problems and/or heading them off before they start. Great for all around advice including dietary needs, cage placement as it relates to behavior, when to consult an avian veterinarian (including how to find an avian veterinarian), flock behavior, etc. A must read for all bird owners~!! A BIG two thumbs up~!!