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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #548742 in Books
• Published on: 1999-09-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 332 pages

Review
"IDG's latest For Dummies guide is a must-have for the first-time bird owner and a helpful addition to almost any avian's library." -- ThePetChannel.com

From the Back Cover
"Filled with the information every bird-owner…needs." Joel Murphy, DVM, ABVP, author of How to Care For Your Pet Bird Praise for Birds for Dummies® "Squawk about this! A lighthearted…informative book about the care and maintenance of our fine-feathered friends." — Gary A. Gallerstein, DVM, author of The Complete Bird Owner's Handbook "At last — a book that contains more than just pretty bird pictures. This was fun to read. It is clear, concise, factual, useful, and understandable." —Linda Biggi, owner, Bird Gardens

Full-color guide to pet birds inside!

"You will not be disappointed." Walter Rosskopf, Jr., DVM, Dipl. ABVP Certified in Avian Practice Get the word on birds! From finches and canaries to conures and macaws, this friendly guide describes the species that make the best pets, explains how to select the bird who's best for you, offers tips on bonding with your feathered friend, and provides expert advice on feeding and grooming.

About the Author

Gina Spadafori writes an award-winning column on pets and their care which appears in newspapers across the United States and in the pets area of America Online, the world's largest commercial online service. She is affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network, Inc., an international online service for veterinarians and the content provider for AOL's Pet Care Forum.

Gina serves on the Board of Directors of both the Cat Writers Association and the Dog Writers Association of America. She is a three-time recipient of the DWAA's Maxwell Medallion for Best Newspaper Column, and she has been awarded the Geraldine R. Dodge award for her pet writing. She has also been honored with the Pedigree Dog Food Outstanding Journalist Pet Care award.

She lives in Sacramento, California, where she is an editor at The Sacramento Bee newspaper and shares her home with two dogs: Andy, a Shetland sheepdog, and Benjamin, a flat-coated retriever adopted by way of the Internet.;

Gina Spadafori writes an award-winning column on pets and their care which appears in newspapers across the United States and in the pets area of America Online, the world's largest commercial online service. She is affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network, Inc., an international online service for veterinarians and the content provider for AOL's Pet Care Forum.

Gina serves on the Board of Directors of both the Cat Writers Association and the Dog Writers Association of America. She is a three-time recipient of the DWAA's Maxwell Medallion for Best Newspaper Column, and she has been awarded the Geraldine R. Dodge award for her pet writing. She has also been honored with the Pedigree Dog Food Outstanding Journalist Pet Care award.

She lives in Sacramento, California, where she is an editor at The Sacramento Bee newspaper and shares her home with two dogs: Andy, a Shetland sheepdog, and Benjamin, a flat-coated retriever adopted by way of the Internet.

Customer Reviews

The reviews are in!
Here's what the experts say about "Birds For Dummies":

"Gina Spadafori and Dr. Brian Speer have done a remarkable job on 'Birds For Dummies.' I found the book to be everything I hoped it would be. The information is first-rate and helpful to anyone with an interest or love for pet birds. ... You will not be disappointed." -- Walter J. Rosskopf, Jr., DVM, Dip. ABVP (Avian Practice)

"At last -- a book that contains more than just pretty bird pictures. This was fun to read. It is clear, concise, factual, useful, and understandable. Truly a book worth reading for new and old Avian Addicts." -- Linda Biggi, Owner, Bird Gardens

"Squawk about this! This is one light-hearted, easy-reading, and thoroughly informative book about the care and maintenance of our fine feathered friends. A must-have for every bird owner." -- Gary A. Gallerstein, DVM, author of "The Complete Bird Owner's Handbook" and "First Aid for Birds"

"...'Birds For Dummies' is the most complete discussion of the pros and cons of pet bird ownership that I have ever seen. If more people read this book before they bought a bird, I would see fewer sick, maladjusted, and behavior-problem birds. If you own a bird, you should read this book; if you are thinking about owning a bird, you MUST read this book." -- Michael J. Murray, DVM

"... This book is filled with the information every bird owner ... needs to keep their pet bird healthy and happy." -- Joel Murphy, DVM, Dip. ABVP (Avian Practice), author of "How To Care for Your Pet Bird."

Should be read by everyone before buying a bird
This is a great book for anyone thinking about buying his or her first bird. I wish it had been around when I bought my first bird.

Twenty years ago I bought a bird based on one criterion: I wanted the largest bird I could afford. As it turned out, that bird was a nanday conure. I had no idea they were the noisiest things on the planet, next to a 747.

It was a horrible experience for me and for the bird, which ended relatively well with the bird moving into an aviary at a local zoo.

It took me twenty years to get enough nerve to try again. I made up my mind I was going to do my homework this time, and I started with Birds for Dummies. This book has every bit of information I needed to avoid all my past mistakes and many others that had not even occurred to me.

For example, I would have known that nanday conures were extremely noisy. I also would have known that yelling at a bird only reinforces that bird's tendency to scream.

According to the descriptions in the book, it looked like a budgie was the bird for me: not too loud, not too expensive and loaded with personality. "Trust them," the book said.

I was skeptical, because I always thought of budgies as a child's pet. However, I followed the book's advice to the letter and, when I was sure I was ready, bought a budgie.

Things have worked out better than I could have hoped! We are getting along great. I trusted the authors and they were right. You can trust them too.

Perfect book for a bird dummy like me!
This is a great book with a lot of info. It helped me to understand right away that "I" was the cause of a problem I was having with my bird and set me on the right path in correcting that problem! I wish I had bought this book months ago when I got the bird and I would not be going through the problems I am right now with him.

If you are thinking of buying a bird, buy THIS book FIRST! It will even help you pick out the right bird for you and your family.