Birds for Dummies

by Brian L. Speer and Gina Spadafori

Describes the species that make the best pets and offers advice on care and feeding, grooming, bonding, and choosing the correct bird.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764551396
• ISBN13: 9780764551390
• Release Date: September 1999
• Publisher: For Dummies
• Length: 380 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

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.

The place to start.

Start with this book before you get your first bird, and you're likely to choose the right pet (which might not be a bird!). The book has loads of great information about the many wonderful birds out there, what to expect behaviorally and financially, and how to keep them happy.This isn't merely a collection of pretty pictures (though it has plenty) and it doesn't suggest that you simply pick the bird you think is prettiest. Instead, it attempts to provide all the information you need to choose the right bird, and it covers preventive medicine, providing great care, and creating a good relationship between bird and human. It also discusses the ethics of breeding, a very relevant topic today because of bird overpopulation.Like any bird book, however, Birds for Dummies can't give you the hands-on experience that will tell you if a bird is the right pet for you, and, if so, which type of bird you should choose. Bird ownership is a major commitment (often a !lifelong one, since many birds can live for 40 or even 100 years), and after reading the book, it's a great idea to visit a few quality bird shops or breeders, handle the kinds of birds that interest you (and even some that don't), and find the bird you click with, whatever the species. (I volunteer for a parrot-rescue organization, and many of the birds there lost their homes because they were chosen for the wrong reasons--this is very traumatic and sad for people and birds.)Dr. Speer is a great vet (he's local in my area) and he is extremely well regarded. He and Ms. Spadafori have written a very entertaining and informative book; it's a must-have for all bird owners and the most thorough introduction to life with parrots available.

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.

Even your birds will love it.

For years I've searched for solid, good advice to owning and raising birds -- but never have I found what's out there to be very good. "Birds for Dummies" is by far the best book yet. Everything you need to know about these greatest of pets is there. And you'll certainly not feel like a dummy for wondering. Even my birds -- two cockatiels, ages 12 and 14 -- want to read this book.

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."