Customer Reviews

Parakeets For Dummies

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book starts off with one of my pet peeves - giving the name American Parakeet to the sweet little Australian Budgie or Budgerigar. They are not American birds at all - although they certainly are one of many different parakeets.

The author, Nikki Moustaki is very knowlegable about these wonderful birds. She gives excellent advice on deciding if a budgie is right for your home.

Throughout the book, markings in the margins indicate interesting and helpful tips, warnings and reminders.

The chapter "Polly Want a Cracker?" has excellent advice on feeding your budgie. Of course variety is essential and Nikki gives a great list of foods to provide interest and variety.

The chapter "Come Here Often?" provides great information to help you understand common budgie behaviours, including some problem behaviours. The author also provides great taming and training advice here.

It is obvious while reading this book that Nikki Moustaki loves these little birds. She talks about her own Parakeets/Budgies as examples, telling us what they enjoy. This is a great book for beginners and even experienced budgie owners may find information that they didn't know before.

I enjoyed reading this book more than anticipated because of its short chapters, logical design and organization, and consistency of format. I like the short chapters and paragraphs and especially appreciated the easy to understand bullet lists. This is a great book to pick up and read during short lulls in the day. One can read for a few minutes and bookmark a neat stopping point on almost any page. There's no need to finish a whole chapter because one can pick up anywhere. For important topics the author makes use of strategic repetition, a requisite for dummies.

I've read several other parakeet books and like "Parakeets for Dummies" the best. After each chapter title is a list of major points, each of which is expanded upon in turn. The first chapter explains the design of the book and the meaning of four icons used repeatedly through the book. The icons represent tip, remember, warning, and technical stuff.

My favorite section title: "You Say Potato, I Say Po-tah-to: The American Parakeet versus the English Budgie.

Favorite parakeet tidbit: Parakeets can be fed honeydew melon (yummy!) and cooked POTATO.

The author notes factors to consider when deciding whether to own one or multiple parakeets. A single parakeet will probably form a stronger bond with its owner but will require more time and attention. Nikki suggests spending at least two hours a day with your feathered companion. Anyone who's seen parakeets together or owned pairakeets can attest to the utter enjoyment and rapture these birds enjoy from each other's company. They thrive on the play, the companionship, the interaction, and even the birdie squabbles. Our two birds, Jazz and Spud, are inseparable, constantly conversing, playing, preening, and looking deeply into each other's dark little eyes.

From the back cover:" Nikki Moustaki is an avian care and behavior consultant, as well as the author of 12 books on bird care and behavior." She definitely knows her stuff.

I am a newbie about parakeets and needed a basic guide to help me treat these birds well. This book does just than. It answers questions and gives me insight into these fascinating, quirky birds.

I bought this used and I probably paid more for shipping that the book cost new... still, what a waste of money. Don't bother. I think this thing was written 10 or 15 years ago no matter what the date says.
Do 2 or 3 internet searches and you can find more information. What a wast of paper.

This book helps tremendously. I always had different questions about my Parakeets needs, and this book really helped. It's small enough so you don't have to spend a month and a half reading it, but it's also packed with so much information that you'll learn anything you need to know. It's a very easy read and a great price.
I would for sure recommend it!

This is a great book for anyone interested in budgies. It is insightful, to the point and easy and interesting to read. The info comes over organised and you are not distracted with unnecessary jargon. Recommended to young and old alike.

We just purchased two feathered friends so this book was a must to ensure their health and happiness.

Thank you

This is a good & easy to read book. It contains practical and helpful information. I would have liked it to be longer with a more information.
I would recommend this book.

I have bought this type of book before (Pets for Dummies) however, this book was very very basic. I already knew the basics about Parakeets as I've owned Parekeets for 5 years. However, I was looking for information on mating Parakeets. There was a little information about that in this book enough so I could understand if my Parakeets were trying to mate and what to do. Book suggested not to let them mate. So, I did learn something from this book. Thanks.