For Parents of Multiples or Those For the Birds
Written: Dec 24 '06 (Updated Dec 27 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great photos. Useful for owners of many species of birds.
Cons: None
The Bottom Line: This is a nice little book for the multiple bird owner.
It might be best read before adding to the family.
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| nagels's Full Review: Multiple Bird Households |
The blue bird that materialized in our backyard last summer seemed out of place. We’d never seen a blue bird at the feeder before, and after several days we decided to try to get a closer look at this rare, Spud Acres phenomenon. It let us get close enough to determine he/she was a parakeet. Ever the bulldog, Mrs. Spudman decided a capture was in the bird’s best interest with a string of near hundred degree days on the horizon. The next day she captured the unwary bird as it fed, and it had the run or fly of the screened porch for several days while we selected just the right cage and all the necessary bird supplies.
We had saved Pretty Girl from what we thought was certain death, but despite the avian amenities we’d provided, something was still lacking – a fulltime companion.
Thus Jazz became the second bird in our home; both birds thrive on each other’s company, but the dynamics of our mini aviary had changed. Thus emerged our need for a book like Multiple Birds.
Caring for a Parrot Multiple Bird Households is a 64 page book by Linda Rubin. The author established Tangowood Aviary in 1976 and has raised cockatiels and parrots for 30 years; she serves on the board of directors of the American Federation of Aviculture. Linda Rubin is also the author of “Cockatiel Genetics Made Easy”.
The book is ostensibly for parrot owners, but is also useful for owners of smaller birds like parakeets or finches. It addresses many of the concerns we have/had for our two parakeet family members.
Contents
More Than One – Addresses the viability of starting a multiple bird household and shares the behavioral characteristics of specific bird types. There’s even a rare picture of a black myna bird in this chapter. Those who still are resolved to keep more than one bird after reading this chapter will be quite interested in reading the appropriate second chapter.
Selecting a Bird – Here learn about the compatibility of birds, how to choose a healthy bird, the rationale of quarantining a new bird, and how to introduce a new bird to the flock or single bird already established.
Housing the Flock – Here learn more about introducing the new bird, cages and aviaries and flock control.
Caring for the Flock – In this chapter learn about nutrition and hobby breeding, cage hygiene, and bathing your birds. A list of healthy vegetables includes yams and sweet potatoes. I learned that corn on the cob (or niblets) is a special favorite of parrots and is an excellent source of fiber.
Health Care - This chapter addresses preventing disease, additional hygiene information, and veterinary visits.
Taming and Training - Here read about taming and training techniques, teaching your bird to talk, and your relationship to the flock. The author gives specific instruction and advice on wing clipping and the use of training treats.
Special Needs Birds – In this final chapter read about the special needs of geriatric and handicapped birds. Only special people have the kindness and patience to be able to care for these birds. In addition you’ll find information about handfeeding and first aid as well as caring for unweened birds. The author advises leaving the care of the unweened to the experienced bird handlers.
On page 62 is a “Resources” page with mailing and web addresses of bird organizations.
Final Thoughts
At first I thought I’d made a mistake purchasing this book because of the word “parrot” in its title. However, much of the information included is just as appropriate for a parakeet owner. I like the book’s flow and continuity as well as its useful content, shared with language easily understood by the novice. The occasional “Expert Advice” boxes dispersed throughout the book contain great information in a condensed format.
The photographs in Multiple Bird Households are spectacular. They are bright, colorful, vivid, and an extremely positive addition to the book. The full page pictures of birds are particularly striking revealing details not usually evident in smaller photographs.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone interested in housing more that one bird. As the author suggests, if one can’t spend a generous amount of time with his or her bird, he or she should find a companion for the bird or give it to someone who will. A solitary bird spending most of its existence, caged, alone and ignored is a sad prospect.
Thank you,Amy, for the addition.
Recommended:
Yes
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