(Part 2) Best bird care books according to redditors
We found 105 Reddit comments discussing the best bird care books. We ranked the 45 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 21-40. You can also go back to the previous section.
[Alex]( http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_(parrot) was truly an incredible bird. There was a NOVA special a few years ago on him as well as lots of great stuff in the Wiki article. Seeing intelligence in other animals like this is humbling.
Some highlights of Alex's abilities:
Here is a 12 minute video from the NOVA special and how his death affected people (introduced by Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson). It must have been devastating for Dr. Pepperberg. As scientists we are not supposed to remain a little detached from our test animals, but an animal like Alex is something truly special. I am sure when that bond was broken it was very difficult for Dr. Pepperberg. Even all these years later, my heart goes out to her.
A short video highlighting some of Alex's understanding.
Here is a link to Dr. Pepperberg's website: The Alex Foundation. It is currently being updated, but I included it incase you want to bookmark it for later.
Alex & Me, Dr. Pepperberg's book on their work together.
Alex the Parrot: No Ordinary Bird, a children's book about Alex.
National Geographic article on Animal Minds.
Edit - There's been some discussion on parrot ownership in here and I wanted to share PBS's "Parrot Confidential" (full episode). Many parrots are purchased then given up when the owners realize how much dedication, time, and patience it takes to keep one (let alone some parrots have a lifespan of 70+ years). This documentary is about parrot rescues and the current situation of the parrot trade. Once you get home (unless you can watch tv at work without anyone caring), I suggest checking it out. It's incredibly informative.
In Mind of the Raven by Bernd Heinrich and several other similar/follow-up books (Gifts of the Crow, etc.), corvid (the family that both crows and ravens belong to) linguistics is discussed. They demonstrate an ability to communicate about something outside of the current space and time (displacement), such as a food source one of them found this morning several miles away. Young ravens will also communicate with each other and scheme together to attack an adult raven who's invading their territory (young ravens are generally social; older ones are generally limited to family groups). They also have a rudimentary justice system for punishing ravens who betray the group (such as by stealing food or cheating in a group effort); it starts with warning pecks and de-feathering, escalates to social ostracization, and culminates in group executions for especially egregious offenses.
Geographic groups of ravens also have different calls, suggesting some sort of culture or accent. They are not mutually intelligible to each other.
http://www.crows.net/language.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_raven#Intelligence
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151007110741.htm
Edit: Whales also have accents and language groups:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/02/160227-animals-communication-sperm-whales-dialects-science/
I have the Sasol field guide, and I paid a few ZAR extra at the bookstore for the one that has the plastic protective cover (worth it).
That is the throw-in-the-car book, and my first go-to.
(A friend has the Sasol app for iPad, and loves it because of the calls, but he is South African and has a much better mental filter - to me, everything here just sounds cool and exotic and I can't separate them well, so I don't try.)
For the tough IDs though, I also have Newman's Birds of Southern Africa, which is more of a brick, but fantastic for its great comparisons and references on the illustration pages. For example, look at this page, and you'll see what I mean.
There is a Kindle edition, which might be a good thing, because I think the binding on this one is not quite as rugged as the Sasol. Still, it is an excellent book.
Bonus website :)
When illustrations are not cutting it, and I really need to see photos: [BIRDS of THE WORLD, An Online Bird Book: Birds of Africa] (http://carolinabirds.org/INDEX/AF_index_ad.htm). Not perfect, and not comprehensive, but pretty darned good for a quick comparison. Helpful because when you click on, say, a babbler, you get the page showing all the babblers, so you can compare.
Fellow caique owner! I recently discovered this amazing book called "Caiques" by John C. McMichael, PhD. It's by far the best, most informative book on all things having to do with caiques-- species history, care, breeding, safe and unsafe foods/plants/household objects, etc. As far as I know, it's the most recent, current information on caiques and this dude has been studying them for years.
It explains why caiques don't poop in their nesting cages and all sorts of other cool stuff! It was a little pricey, but completely worth it.
I just found the link on Amazon if you want to check it out.
If you’re really serious about committing to this little guy/gal, remember they live 10-20 years with good care and if they’re adopted by humans, they need forever homes. They will never do well in the wild if the work involved with keeping a duck becomes overwhelming.
I’d start by getting Kimberly Link’s duck book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1501043803/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6psaBbYDGNTPC
It was invaluable to me when I was learning about every aspect of my ducks including if they get sick.
Of course get a duck friend too, but you’re already on that.
Honestly this may not be due to you going away, but rather to him coming into sexual maturity. He is the right age for it, and during that time they tend to go from cuddly babies to adults that want to defend their territory.
But why this behaviour exists doesn't help you get past it! I would look into buying some behaviour training books and working one on one with him to positively reinforce the good behaviours while trying to get him to let go of his old ones. Consistent and patient socialisation should be able to return him to the bird he was before (or at least an adult, slightly more independent version of his baby self).
Here are a few good books I've found:
Breaking bad habits in parrots
Biting and aggression - clicker training (clicker training is awesome, they use it to train most zoo and top performance domestic animals! If a dolphin can learn it so can your parrot!)
Its never taken me more than a year to tame even the craziest rescue birds back to a point where they could be adopted, so trust me, it can be done.
However it can take hours of work each day. If you are prepared to spend 2 hours a day with this bird, things can work out. I recommend an hour in the morning (maybe 30 min after she wakes up) and an hour at night (but not right before bed time) if possible.
You should check out this book. A lot of it will be things you already know since you already have parrots, but there are a few chapters on training.
After that I recommend clipping her wings (I do not recommend this lightly and can explain why if need be) and I also recommend getting a clicker.
Start from the beginning. Don't assume this bird even knows how to step up, or be fed from your hands.
Read to her. Sit next to her cage and just read out loud.
Things will never go this smoothly, but it isn't your fault. Try to stick to the routine, but know you will be frustrated at times... remember, it will pass. My birds are great some mornings, and awful others (just like my SO! lol). You don't need to clean the cage every day. If I have to make a choice between 15 minutes of scritch time or 15 minutes of cleaning, I will always pick scritch time. Tiki doesn't mind a bit of poo on the floor of his cage for a day longer than normal, but I know how much he appreciates attention.
Birds are hungriest first thing in the morning- in my experience this is the best time to give them fruits and veggies. Maybe offer your bird a little fresh breakfast while you're getting ready and replace it with pellets before you leave.
Your bird may not like having the tv and radio on when you aren't home. My moustached parakeet couldn't care less but my Amazon likes his quiet time... if I leave something on he screams all day but if I don't he's relatively quiet.
One suggestion you may not have come across yet- store all food (pellets and seeds) as well as dry treats in the fridge or the freezer and just take out a few days worth at a time. Otherwise, sooner or later you will end up with meal moths. They are harmless to people and birds but a pain to get rid of (and they will find their way into your food as well).
Parrots for Dummies is a really good general reference book. It has a lot of generic information as well as some species specific overviews. Don't hesitate to pick it up. I've had my copy for 5 years and still pull it out every now and again to look something up.
I get our feed from Jax usually or Tractor Supply. Even if they have not started laying you should put them on layer feed at about 18 weeks. They need the calcium and the correct formula a bit before they start laying. Try to get some Oystershell as well to give to them. In a separate container or add to the food. They really need lots of calcium and egg shells might not be enough. If they do not get enough calcium they could get egg bound or have poorly formed eggs. And yes, add Grit to the area they are in too. Surrounding dirt might not be enough for them.
Yes, keep treats to a minimum. A really good book I found is Fresh Eggs Daily. They talk about a lot of treats to give for specific reasons, plus things to stay away from.
Good about the feed. We had some major issues when ours were still young, but now we go through way less feed since they don't kick it all over. (ours just started laying a couple weeks ago..well some did, others haven't...we have 14.)
We get the Nutrena brand, if you can, DO NOT get Purina. Heard ZERO good things about them...from people that work there and people at the feed stores. Also, crumbles are better digested if you can get that rather than pellets. (Also from a worker at a feed store).
I am not sure if there are any resources on the internet, but i saw some books about raising a pet goose. I would highly recommend you to read such book before buying a goose pet. I didn't read any, but either this or this may be a good one.
As to the training, if you intend to keep your goose in the house the biggest problem is that it always needs to war a diaper, you can't potty train it. I also think that a goose won't be able to perform any tricks or listen to commands like a dog could.
When it comes to friendliness and loyalty, if you raise one gosling since its first days it is nearly guaranteed to be very loyal. When you raise a pair they may prefer each other's comapny and not be as friendly to you.
ヨウムといえばこれが名著
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4344019318
Parrots For Dummies is by far the best compendium of knowledge on the subject. I have ~50 parrot books in my library and this is the one I consult the most.
book from amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Parrotlet-Handbook-Barrons-Pet-Handbooks/dp/0764141899
There are a GREAT many things in a normal house that can KILL your parrot (for real)
http://www.birdsafe.com/household.htm
No candles, aerosol sprays, harsh cleaners. PTE PTFE is used in NON STICK COOKWARE! (pots,pans waffle makers, irons) get ceramic cookware, The self cleaning cycle in ovens! please READ, and READ again the above site, can save your new friends LIFE!
Making sure theres 50-70% humidity, depended on where you live the air gets dry in the winter. Drafts are also very bad.
Of Parrots and People
I read the first half of the book about the legal parrot trade. The next chapter was on the illegal trade. I couldn't finish it and I've read a few books that my friends would not read or would not finish.
That's a shame. What about this guide? https://www.amazon.com/Birds-Argentina-Uruguay-Field-Guide/dp/987913205X
Assuming you're in the US, there is an incredible book called Traditional American Farming Techniques. It's got a condensed soil sciences, agronomy, animal husbandry, equipment construction/repair and economics course all built in.
It's basically my Bible. Amazon Link. The cover photo on that page is incorrect, but all the information seems to indicate this is the correct item. Give it a look. There's quite a few excerpts floating around online, but I think this might be what you're looking for.
I actually got this book and have been doing clicker training with her on most days. She can do the wave now ( yay her first trick beside step up and step down) .
Chickens are a lot of fun. I was skeptical at first, but I'm really enjoying raising them.
This is the book I read for building the coop:
http://www.amazon.com/Reinventing-Chicken-Coop-Step-Step/dp/1603429808
Here's the book my wife read about raising them: http://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Every-Yard-Stores-Keeping/dp/1580085822/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1464051929&sr=1-4&keywords=raising+backyard+chickens
I see what you're saying.
Chemically, yes, they are the same.. it's the concentration that is incredibly different, however, so the overall burden on the organism would be larger.
Now that you press me to re-evaluate my earlier assertions... I am actually now beginning to question them myself.
Like, for example, what the hell is this? http://www.amazon.com/Aromatherapy-Parrots-ancient-healing-companion/dp/1477557547/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412613650&sr=8-1&keywords=aromatherapy+for+parrots
Teaching Your Bird to Talk