How can you keep your cockatiel's mind active and engaged? What foods are most nutritious and most interesting for your pet? What do you need to know about mating and breeding behavior? What's the best way to hand-raise chicks so that they get the most from their parents, and from you? All your questions are answered in this complete book for the cockatiel enthusiast, presented in beautiful color. The Complete Book of Cockatiels includes the most recent information on nutrition, breeding and social behavior from the University of California-Davis cockatiel research project. This is a book serious enthusiasts will learn from and novices will treasure. Everything you need to know to keep a healthy, happy bird is here. Topics include choosing a bird, choosing a veterinarian, nutrition and feeding, daily care, enclosure design, socialization and play, treats, toys, training, safety concerns, medical emergencies, communication, behavior and breeding. A selection of stories from cockatiel owners illustrates how these charming birds have changed people's lives. A treat for the eyes and the mind.
Lovable and charming little pets, these little wonderful cockatiels are some of the most popular pet birds in the world. These creatures are related to parrots and hail from the wilderness of Australia. In captivity, when allowed to interact with people early and often, cockatiels are affectionate and gentle. Thanks to their relatively compact size, cockatiels can be handled with ease. You won't need a big house to keep these birds happy. A cockatiel will be glad to see you return home from work, sit next to its cage for a bedtime story, or stay by your side simply treasuring your company. This bird's warm disposition can readily endear it to the right owner and household. While you don't have to be an experienced bird-handler to provide a suitable home for a cockatiel, taking one home does entail a good amount of responsibility and other certain cockatiel-only requirements. Prior to making the commitment, it's vital you know what you and your bird are in for. This book was written for the beginner cockatiel owner in mind, plus anyone considering one of these fascinating creatures as pets. You'll learn what to look for when selecting a bird, how to care for your cockatiel and form a nurturing relationship together, what to feed your cockatiel and more. With this book you'll quickly discover how to create a living area where your bird will thrive and live a long happy life. Need help deciding if a cockatiel is the pet for you and your family? This book will help you approach the decision-making process in a smart way. You'll also find out about basic training, breeding, grooming, cleaning, and bonding with cockatiels. A tamed cockatiel is a well-behaved bird that's a joy to have around. Included, too, among crucial topics are common diseases that harm cockatiels and how to bird-proof your home. The goal is to keep your little pal safe without dampening its curious and cheerful nature.
This Complete Care Made Easy title offers first-time cockatiel owners insight into every aspect of selecting, caring for, and maintaining well-behaved happy pet birds. Angela Davids and her flock of bird experts have put together an ideal introductory pet guide, with chapters on the characteristics and history of the charming cocktail, selection of a healthy, typical cockatiel, housing and care, feeding, training, and keeping the bird healthy. The selection chapter offers potential owners excellent advice about owner suitability, selection of the color and sex of the bird, and also addresses legal and health issues about which all pet bird owners should be aware. In the chapter on housing and care, the author discusses selection of the right cage, citing of the cage, accessories, toys, playgyms, and more. A bird’s diet is critical to its ongoing health, and the chapter “Feeding Your Cockatiel” gives the reader all the info he or she needs about choosing the best possible diet, the different types of seeds, fruits, veggies, as well as human foods to avoid. The final two chapters of the book will be useful for bird fanciers interested in learning more about the breeding of cockatiels and the basic color variations and genetics of this handsome tropical bird. The book concludes with an appendix of bird societies, a glossary of terms, and a complete index.
Easy-to-use, comprehensive reference covering the less common species encountered in general veterinary practice Handbook of Exotic Pet Medicine provides easy-to-access, detailed information on a wide variety of exotic species that can be encountered in general veterinary practice. Offering excellent coverage of topics such as basic techniques, preventative health measures, and a formulary for each species, each chapter uses the same easy-to-follow format so that users can find information quickly while working in the clinic. Presented in full colour, with over 400 photographs, the book gives small animal practitioners the confidence to handle and treat more familiar pets such as budgerigars, African grey parrots, bearded dragons, corn snakes, tortoises, pygmy hedgehogs, hamsters and rats. Other species that may be presented less frequently including skunks, marmosets, sugar gliders, koi carp, chameleons and terrapins are also covered in detail to enable clinicians to quickly access relevant information. Provides comprehensive coverage of many exotic pet species that veterinarians may encounter in general practice situations Presents evidence-based discussions of topics including biological parameters, husbandry, clinical evaluation, hospitalization requirements, common medical and surgical conditions, radiographic imaging, and more The Handbook of Exotic Pet Medicine is an ideal one-stop reference for the busy general practitioner seeing the occasional exotic animal, veterinary surgeons with an established exotic animal caseload, veterinary students and veterinary nurses wishing to further their knowledge.
Cockatiels are great as pets. They are clever, cuddly and can be easily socialized. Although cockatiels are generally easy to care for because of their small size, this book will provide you with some useful tips so that you can maximize their true potential. Compared to other bird species, Cockatiel parrots don't live for 50 years or more. These birds have an average lifespan of only 10 - 20 years! However, if you take good care of them, they will certainly live longer than you might expect. Cockatiels can easily become part of the family and a loving companion if you are willing to put in the time and effort to take care of them, and this book will teach you exactly how! Included in this book: Care Costs Feeding Grooming Health Housing Supplies Training ... and much more!
From special diet suggestions to explaining how to create the ideal housing environment for your feathered companion, this book is the perfect guide to learning more about these talented and social birds. T.F.H. has teamed up with Animal Planet(TM) the only television network devoted to the unique bonds between humans and animals, to present an exciting new series of family-friendly, comprehensive guides to superior pet care. Each book features newly written text from animal experts on a variety of topics, including feeding, housing, grooming, training, health care, and fun activities. Useful tip boxes in each chapter show every member of the household how to make the most out of owning a pet.
A budgie, as the common parakeet is typically called, is the subject of this Complete Care Made Easy pet guide that presents new and experienced bird keepers with insight into every aspect of selecting, caring for, and maintaining well-behaved happy pet birds. Angela Davids has written an ideal introductory pet guide, with chapters on the characteristics of the irresistible budgie, the history of budgies in the wild, selection of a healthy, typical pet bird, housing and care, feeding, training, and health care. The selection chapter offers potential owners excellent advice about selection of the color and sex, suitability of the delicate budgie with families, children, and other pets. In the chapter on housing and care, the author discusses selection of the right cage, placement of the cage, and the purchase of toys, cups, perches, and more. A bird’s diet is critical to its ongoing health, and the chapter devoted to feeding the budgie gives the reader all the info he or she needs about choosing the best diet, different types of seeds, greens, fruits, veggies, grit, as well as human foods to avoid. The chapter “Training Time” addresses finger training, towel training, perch training, and offers an easy-to-follow primer on teaching a budgie to talk. The final two chapters of the book will be useful for bird fanciers interested in learning more about the breeding and the basic color variations and genetics of this perfect beginner’s bird. The book concludes with an appendix of bird societies, a glossary of terms, and a complete index.
Who doesn’t wish to share his or her home with a cage full of “Furry Mongolian Friends” aka gerbils!? Author Susan Anastasi certain does! She describes these irresistible critters as “quiet, clean, friendly, curious, active, and easy-to-please.” In deciding whether the gerbil is for you, Anastasi offers this advice: “If you are looking for a seemingly limitless cache of cuteness—from their long, fanning whiskers and large almond-shaped eyes to heir bunnylike hind legs and tufted tail tips—then gerbils are for you!” Clearly bitten by the gerbil bug, the author begins by providing some basic natural history about gerbils, their origins on the Mongolian range, and an overview of their behaviors. Anastasi defends her favorite pocket pet and asserts that the gentle gerbil does not deserve its Latin name (Meriones ungiculatus), which translates as “clawed warrior.” Filled with terrific color photographs, Gerbils summarizes the basic needs of these adorable rodents, specifically addressing their housing requirements, the cost and commitment involved, and their interactions with children and other pets. The following are devoted to purchasing a healthy gerbil from a pet shop, hobby breeder, or shelter; introducing the gerbil to the home; housing and feeding; taming and handling the pet gerbil; health considerations and potential household hazards; breeding and raising the young; and exhibiting gerbils at shows. The discussion on housing covers the selection of the ideal enclosure, basic housing setup, accessories, safety, and a guide to cleaning the tank. The chapter “Taming and Handling Your Gerbils” offers a step-by-step socialization process to acclimate the gerbil to its new handler and surroundings plus instructions for handling the gerbil and discouraging nipping. All keepers will be interested in the chapter on keeping gerbils healthy through smart preventative care; topics covered include allergies; broken limbs and head injury; teeth, tail, and ear problems; dehydration; diarrhea; heat stroke; hypothermia; mites, and more. Gerbil enthusiasts who are looking to become gerbil midwives will find complete instructions for breeding and raising pups (baby gerbils) in the chapter about reproduction. It covers planning a litter, setting up a breeding tank, mating, caring for the pregnant mom, birthing, fostering, growth cycles, weaning, handling pups, and more. The chapter “Fun with Gerbils” offers ideas for games, art projects, photographing, and training gerbils to do seven fun tricks. Resources include lists of publications, clubs, organizations, and websites. Glossary of terms and index included.
The delightful South American “unrodent-like rodent” known as the chinchilla makes a playful and affectionate companion animal. Author Donna Anastasi refers to them as “inquisitive, sensitive, intelligent, and active,” the ideal combination of intelligence and interaction anyone would want in a small pet. This Complete Care Made Easy title is an ideal introductory pet guide about the chinchilla, with detailed chapters on characteristics, selection of a healthy chinchilla, housing and care, welcoming and taming the new arrival, feeding and daily care, training, and health and veterinary care. The book offers excellent advice about feeding and nutrition, including the choice of pellets, supplements, hay, and treats. The chapter “Understanding and Training Your Chinchilla” explains the abilities and limitations of chinchillas’ senses (they’re nearsighted but have exceptional hearing) and offers a great overview of how they communicate through sounds and body language. With positive reinforcement and a clicker (no leash and collar!), the chin can be trained to perform tricks for the family’s entertainment, and the book gives lots of training pointers for owners! For chin fanciers who are interested in further exploration, the author includes chapters on breeding chinchillas and getting involved in chin shows. Sidebars throughout the text provide useful information to chinchilla keepers, covering such topics as chin colors, harmful human foods, daily care checklist, and show terminology. The resources include chinchilla societies, books and websites. Glossary of terms and index included.
