Complete Book of Parakeet Care, The (Barron's N) [Paperback]

Annette Wolter (Author), Monika Wegler (Author)

Book Description

Series: Barron's N | Publication Date: November 17, 1993

This handsome text offers in-depth profiles of parakeets from their wild origins in the Australian Outback to details of their breeding, care, and general well-being in captivity. The many varieties of parakeets are covered in detail with 160 vivid color photos-many of which are dramatic action shots.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series; 1st English language ed edition (November 17, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812016882
• ISBN-13: 978-0812016888
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #803,439 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is probably the best guide to parakeet care I've seen., March 10, 2001

By 

"werecat99" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Book of Parakeet Care, The (Barron's N) (Paperback)

This is probably the best guide to parakeet care I've seen so far.

When you first open this book, you'll be captivated by the amazing photos. Some of them are truly masterpieces, and show details of the budgie life you've never seen. It includes a budgie mating session, incredible photos of wild Australian budgies, color varieties that may help you identify your bird and much more.

This book is divided in eleven chapters:

1. At Home in Australia. In this first chapter we are introduced in the budgie homeland. Here we learn their habits in the wild and so we can have a better understanding of their behavior. It includes breeding habits, diet in the wild, their history as pets birds and explains in detail why a lonely budgie can easily turn to an unhappy bird.

2. Parakeets as pets for children. A very important chapter that helps a parent to guide a child to be a responsible pet owner/guardian.

3. A bird joins you household. The important chapter for new budgie owners/guardians. It starts with the basics: where to place the cage, what to feed, a recommended shopping list, where to get a budgie, how a healthy budgie looks like and much useful info. In the end of the chapter you'll find two useful guides on the right cage and how to built play gyms and outside perches.

4. Gentle acclimation. The first days in your home and how to help your new friend get used to a new home. It includes useful tips on how to bird-proof the room and how to introduce a new bird to an already existing pet-bird in your home. In the end of the chapter a series of questions concerning free flying are listed.

5. Life with your parakeet. Tips and info on a happier life for your bird and your family. It includes useful tips on taming and talking.

6. The proper diet. No human can live on bread and water alone. Neither can budgies. This chapter will teach you ways to improve your bird's health and life just by feeding it right.

7. If your bird gets sick. The nightmare of every bird owner/guardian. Unfortunately, our feathered friends can hide their illnesses pretty well until it's too late. This chapter will help you identify the first signs of disease, first aid tips, how to set up a hospital cage for a sick bird and how to administer medication prescribed by your avian vet.

8. Parakeet offspring. Do you want to breed your budgies? This is an excellent chapter for new breeders. Here you can learn the budgie mating signs, how to determine fertile eggs, proper nest conditions and many, much more useful info accompanied by incredible photos.

9. Breeding Parakeets. Ok, now that you've got eggs, what do you do? This chapter is here to help you out, especially if you need to take up breeding budgies a bit further.

10. Genetics. Color varieties, how budgie colors originate, and useful info for breeders who want to achieve beautifully colored birds.

11. Watching and understanding Parakeets. Body language, budgie talk, social behavior and much more info, that helps you realize that a budgie is much more than a "bird-brain". It's a very intelligent little creature that can be a true friend and bring joy to your life.

48 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Some dangerous, outdated information, December 6, 2002

By 

Tviokh "Tviokh" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Book of Parakeet Care, The (Barron's N) (Paperback)

Overall the book is okay.
The playtree idea was very helpful in constructing the massive tree I now have, the pictures are beautiful, and there's a lot of interesting trivia.

HOWEVER, some of the advice given in this book is outdated and is now known to be rather dangerous.

1) The offering of grit. Budiges, and other hookbilled parrots, do NOT need grit as part of their diet, as they hull their seeds. If they are on a formulated diet they also do not need grit. Grit offered to these birds can cause crop impactions and death. Given that it's not necessary for digestion, there is no reason to use it.

2) Sandpaper perches. Big NO! Sandpaper perches are very hard on the feet and do not "keep nails trim". Sandpaper perches are one of the big causes of bumblefoot.

3) The use of "bird sand"...see grit.

4) The implication that clipping a bird's wings is cruel. The risks associated with free flight far outweigh the risks associated with clipping. Flighted birds are more likely to become injured by flying into walls, mirrors, windows, doors, etc..true, they may know the house layout, but if something should spook them and they take off in a panic, they are literally flying blind.
Full flight also carries the risk of escape; being nomadic birds, budgies have no homing instinct. Once your budgie flies away, your chances of seeing it alive again are next to zero.
The biggest risk of clipping is the bird being accidentally stepped on, but if you keep your bird off the floor (and you should) this isn't an issue.

5) The advocation of a mainly seed or seed only diet. Seed only diets are dangerous to the point of being lethal in the terms of long term health. Budgies, when well cared for and on a good diet, can easily live 10-15 years. On a poor diet, cut that in half for the average lifespan.

For more information on any of the above:
http://budgies-n-tiels.com

When this book was written in 1994, much of the now erroneous information was thought to be correct. Avian medical science has proven a lot of it very, dangerously wrong since the time this book was published.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book!, January 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Complete Book of Parakeet Care, The (Barron's N) (Paperback)

This book covers everything about budgies.It has wonderfull pictures throught the book that are really helpfull.It talks about budgies in the wild and their behaviors.it talks all about how to take care of your new pet. This is a great book for beginners and experts alike.