Birdie Pets

Proud pet!

Question:

>To tide you over, here’s a short version: >MUST HAVE (no excuse because they are CHEAP): >Feeding your pet bird by Petra Burgmann

Good reading. >Guide to a well-behaved parrot by Mattie Sue Athan

If read with salt shaker in hand. Some good concepts and interesting ideas by not a "bible". >Also check Barron’s other books such as "The new —— handbook" (replace >the "——" for "softbill," "parrot," "new bird" and "finch."  I have "The >new bird handbook and found it quite useful, seems to cover a lot of bases.

Old, outdated with lots of HIGHLY questionable statements regarding availability, health, diet. >If you want to spend some more $ then I’d say get: >"My Parrot My Friend" by B. Munro Doane and T. Qualkinbush [behavior info, >also some info on how to choose a bird]

I wouldn’t for reasons which will be clear shortly. >"The parrot in health and illness" by B. Munro Doane [I don't have this one >but have heard lots of good things about it]

Recommended >** there’s a couple other books on bird health, but I don’t have them, I >guess we do need a list >The Merck Veterinary Manual —> good for looking up "stuff"! >Harrison, Harrison & Ritchie’s book on avian medicine (expensive but it’s the >ultimate reference).

The ONLY "must have" and worth every penny.  If you skip all the "junk" books on the market and add up what you would have spent on them, you can afford to buy this one. (I’m not affiliated with the authors or Wingers publishing in any way) Also, blanket "beware" on all TFH publications. Check copyright dates. When it comes to birds information is growing exponentially. Anything more than a couple years old is bound to have myths and inaccuracies a plenty. For anyone breeding or raising babies: Handfeeding and Nursery Management (Voren and Jordan) Parrot Incubation Proceedures (Jordan) General reference for species and identification: Parrots of the World (Forshaw) >Be aware: The TFH version, while bargain priced, does not rival the color plates in the newer or original editions. >Also, the authors recieve NO compensation for this version

The Atlas of Parrots (Alderton) For macaw lovers: The Large Macaws (Abramson) >The most comprehensive macaw reference to date

[All opinions expressed are completely my own] Len >Cathy Quinones                                   Poicephalus rule!! >http://www.mindspring.com/~mintz/coverpg.html = Bird Care Info

Response:

I don’t know about anybody else but I feel that Cathy Quinones deserves to be acknowledged and thanked for all of her expert views and words of wisdom. She constantly tries to give advice and to help all people through the problems they may be having with there feathered friends.  She always tries to be FAIR and KIND in her advice and criticisms.   So Cathy, if you read this post, you have my gratitude and respect. If ever I had a question or problem with my little one you would be the first person I would turn to. Sincerely, Dana Alluso

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Good list! I’d like to add…  ’The Complete Bird Owner’s Handbook’ by Gary Gallerstein, DVM Has lots of really good info, and has helped me save my bird’s health already! joan and Charmaine – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> MUST HAVE (no excuse because they are CHEAP): > Feeding your pet bird by Petra Burgmann > Guide to a well-behaved parrot by Mattie Sue Athan > Also check Barron’s other books such as "The new —— handbook" (replace > the "——" for "softbill," "parrot," "new bird" and "finch."  I have "The > new bird handbook and found it quite useful, seems to cover a lot of bases. > If you want to spend some more $ then I’d say get: > "My Parrot My Friend" by B. Munro Doane and T. Qualkinbush [behavior info, > also some info on how to choose a bird] > "The parrot in health and illness" by B. Munro Doane [I don't have this one > but have heard lots of good things about it] > ** there’s a couple other books on bird health, but I don’t have them, I > guess we do need a list > The Merck Veterinary Manual —> good for looking up "stuff"! > Harrison, Harrison & Ritchie’s book on avian medicine (expensive but it’s the > ultimate reference). > Cathy Quinones                                  Poicephalus rule!! > http://www.mindspring.com/~mintz/coverpg.html = Bird Care Info

It’s not easy being green….

Response:

Ok, Liz, here’s your list of books.  I will try to remember to post it once in a while.   Otherwise, it exists in my web page, as a section in the Bird Health FAQ (see my web page URL in my sig). I took the liberty of identifying the books I think EVERY parrot owner should have with the following marking:        [*]     preceeding the title.  These books are so inexpensive that quite simply, there is absolutely no excuse not to have them because the info they offer is vital to your bird’s health and wellbeing. If you were able to afford a cage, and a bird, you can afford buying these. In addition to those "must have books" I think the Munro and Doane book and the Merck Veterinary Index make a very nice, reasonably priced addition to the list.  Beyond that you turn into a "see bird book, buy bird book, smile happily" and you just buy them all  If Santa Claus is reading, Santa, please bring me "Avian Medicine" this Christmas! NOTE:  Right now I’m very busy.  I think it would help if these titles were reshuffled into categories like diet, behavior, training/tricks, general care, and that a species-specific section (with books on budgie, ‘tiel, macaw, amazons, etc.. listed there) be created.  IF ANYONE HAS BOOKS TO ADD TO THIS LIST, SEND ME THE INFO BY E-MAIL, title the message "bird book suggestions" or something like that to make it easy on me!, AND *EVENTUALLY* I’LL PUT IT ALL TOGETHER.   SUGGESTED READING PART IV of the Bird Health FAQ (Copyright 1995 Catherine Quinones) (last updated Sept. 27/95) Right now, there is one book that is considered the ultimate reference on avian health.I understand that if one is only to own one book on birds, that ought to be the one! I have yet to lay my grubby little hands on it, but I hear it is very comprehensive (which means it’s probably very technical at times), and its cost (>$100 US) makes it a bit daunting. The authors are renowned authorities on avian care and disease. It is also available in CD-ROM format. The book is: "Avian Medicine: Principles and Application" by Ritchie, Harrison and Harrison. There are other books out there, the following is a list of a few I really like (the first two are my favorites, though): Ellen from Denver tells me there’s another Ritchie book on polyomaviruses coming out rather soon, cost is around $80.   "The Merck Veterinary Manual" (7th edition) –> has a section on the management and diseases of caged birds. This book is really a mini-encyclopedia of veterinary care for all types of critters, meant to be a desk reference for veterinarians. It discusses maintenance, physiology, disease, treatment…Published in 1991. [ISBN# 911910-5507] Cost: ~$30(US) [*]"Feeding Your Pet Bird" by Petra Burgmann, DVM –> Everyone who owns a bird ought to read this book.Published in 1993. [ISBN# 0-8120-1521-5]. Cost: ~$12(US) [*]"Guide to a well-behaved parrot" by Mattie Sue Athan.  -> although a couple of her discipline tricks are questioned (e.g., dumping parrot on the floor or isolating a bird that is misbehaving in the bathtub), this book is otherwise packed with info that parrot owners NEED TO KNOW.  Published in 1993. {ISN# 0-8120-4996-9] Cost: ~$8.95(US) "My Parrot, My Friend" by B. Munro Doane and Thomas Qualkinbush –> ok, this book is about behavior, but psychological health DOES count!!Published in 1994. [ISBN# 0-87605-970-1] Cost:~$25(US) "Diseases of Cage Birds" edited by E. Burr, DVM –> topics on avian disease. [I don't know if this is the most recent edition]Published in 1987. [ISBN# 0-86622-945-0] Cost: ~$25(US) "The New Bird Handbook" by Matthew M. Vriends –> has info on choosing a bird (with emphasis on both hookbills and softbills), as well as on cage, diet, socialization requirements.Published in 1989. [ISBN# 0-8120-415-7] Cost:~$7.95(US) "First Aid for Birds" by Tim Hawcroft –> quick-reference guide to emergency bird care.Published in 1994. [ISBN# 0-87605-908-6] Cost: ~$10(US) "The Parrot in Health and Illness" by Bonnie Munro Doane –> I don’t have this book but it was recommended by a few readers. I don’t have the ISBN# available, think the cost is around $25(US). "The Illustrated Veterinary Guide for Dogs, Cats, Birds & Exotic Pets" by Chris Penney, DVM –> The section on bird care has general info, and there is a chapter on preventive health care, and others on disease and care of sick birds.Published in 1992. [ISBN# 0-07-050179] Cost: ~$20(US) BIRDS USA –> this is an annual edition published by Fancy Publications (the same people that put forth Bird Talk magazine), and is sold at many pet stores. It has an extensive listing of avian veterinarians in the back. I don’t know if the listing reflects membership to professional societies or whether it is the equivalent of the "yellow pages" but in any case, it does lists bird-friendly veterinarians by state. Note: they do have a disclaimer that their listing in no way is to be considered and endorsement of the veterinarian by the publishing company. Species-specific books may also provide guidance to the special needs of each species. Once again, consult with your veterinarian to make sure the suggestions you see in books and magazines are considered safe and up-to-date. Barron’s publishes unexpensive books on different species, as well as the "New Parrot Handbook" and the "New Softbill Handbook" which may be of interest. [NOTE: if anyone has any other books they feel should be added to this list, contact me and I will do so!  I need info on the other bird-health books, and also on those guides with all the bird pictures] Also check out the rec.pets.birds FAQs, which contain information on magazine subscriptions and other bird booksRec.pest.birds FAQs posted randomly and always available at the r.p.b. web page         http://www.rt66.com/upatsix/magazine.html (that gets you the magazine subscription info and you can navigate from there on). Cathy Quinones                               Poicephalus rule!! http://www.mindspring.com/~mintz/coverpg.html = Bird Care Info

Response:

Well, I finally got the Grey!!! Had him/her a week now and is it prescious!! Hand fed and three months old today. The books that I have read says they need fresh vegies, but it seems to have given him the big "D" word. Any suggestions?? Also is there any foods that I should ABSOLUTELY NOT feed him, other than the standard chocolate as with most birds. Suggestions would be appreciated. Oh, I named him "Beamer" and I can’t stay away from him. Too bad

Response:

Well, I finally got the Grey!!! Had him/her a week now and is it prescious!! Hand fed and three months old today. The books that I have read says they need fresh vegies, but it seems to have given him the big "D" word. Any suggestions?? Also is there any foods that I should ABSOLUTELY NOT feed him, other than the standard chocolate as with most birds. [reply:] DO NOT feed him avocado, it can kill him/her.   Try to start him on pellets, they are supposed to be the best. In books it says that greys are prone to calcium deficiencies, you have to be sure he is getting enough. Your best defense against problems is to read lots of books and articles.  Make sure they are fairly recent, older ones have info that is out of date because knowledge of pet birds has greatly increased in the past many years. LISTERS: Why don’t we have a "bibliography" FAQ, listing the best 5 or 10 books/serials on basic bird care?  Behavior, nutrition, disease, etc.  Then we could refer all newbies to this list. Liz Day

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congrats!!!  Make sure you pay attention to your training!.  It will work much better the minute you accept that the bird is the boss, and that you aren’t training him, he’s training you……

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>  LISTERS: >  Why don’t we have a "bibliography" FAQ, listing the >  best 5 or 10 books/serials on basic bird care?  Behavior, >  nutrition, disease, etc.  Then we could refer all newbies to this list.

Great idea, Liz!  I would love to see a list of "recommended reading" on bird care.   I’ve already learned so much from this group; the two books I bought never mentioned the dreaded "night frights" !  I’m sure you folks have favorite books to suggest; I work in a library and would be happy to look up publishers and prices for those that are still in print… Sweet Pea and I thank you in advance, Becky

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Filed under: Pet Bird Cage