Birds For Dummies, 2nd Edition by Kim Thornton -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Page Copyright Table of Contents Introduction

About This Book Foolish Assumptions Icons Used in This Book Beyond the Book Where to Go from Here

Part 1: Getting Started with Birds

Chapter 1: Birds and Humans: It’s Only Natural!

Getting to Know the History of Birds Deciding If You’re Ready for a Bird

Chapter 2: Narrowing the Choices

Deciding What You’re Looking for in a Bird Considering the Species

Chapter 3: Deciding on a Bird of Your Own

Telling the Girls from the Guys Checking Up on a Bird’s Good Health Making Mature Decisions about Age Finding a Reputable Source Protecting Your Rights

Part 2: Caring for Your Bird

Chapter 4: Preparing for Your Bird’s Arrival

Shopping for Cages Perch Perfect: Finding the Right Perch for Your Bird Diving into Dishes and Waterers Keeping Your Bird Entertained Clearing the Air Cleaning Up

Chapter 5: Starting Your Bird Off Right

Setting Up the Cage Settling In Managing Introductions Building Trust through Training Keeping Things Clean: A Basic Regimen Identifying Your Bird in Case He Flies the Coop

Chapter 6: The New Art, Science, and Fun of Feeding Birds Right

Understanding Bird Nutrition Knowing What Your Bird Should Be Eating Converting Your Bird’s Diet Feeding Birds of a (Slightly) Different Feather: Lories and Lorikeets

Chapter 7: Beyond Food and Water: Bird Basics

Translating Bird Body Language Getting a Handle on Your Bird Practicing Good Grooming Bird Care When You Can’t Harness Training Taking Your Bird with You

Part 3: Keeping Your Bird Healthy

Chapter 8: How Birds Work: The Short Course

The Outside: More than Just Beautiful Finding Your Inner Bird

Chapter 9: A Preventive Care Approach to Your Bird’s Health

Understanding Why Preventive Care Is the Best Care Following a Three-Part Plan for Preventive Care Finding the Right Veterinarian

Chapter 10: Your Bird in Sickness — and Back to Health

Remembering That Birds Are Birds — Not People, Not Dogs Understanding the Role of Home Care Knowing First-Aid Basics Looking at Infectious Diseases That Panic Parrot Lovers Offering Supportive Care

Chapter 11: Lifelong Care for Your Bird

Why Birds Are Living Longer Health and the Older Bird Knowing When It’s Time to Say Goodbye What If You Go First?

Part 4: Living Happily with Your Bird

Chapter 12: Behavior 101: Getting to “Good Bird!”

Setting the Stage for Good Behavior Problem-Solving Unwanted Behaviors Deciding What to Do If You Can’t Solve a Big Problem

Chapter 13: Living in a Multiple-Bird Household

Deciding Between Companion Birds and Breeders Understanding the Closed Aviary Concept: Rules to Live By Choosing Compatible Birds Recognizing the Joys and Challenges of Breeding

Chapter 14: Caring for Chickens and Other Backyard Poultry

Chickens with Benefits: Seeing What Chickens Have to Offer Considering Different Chicken Breeds Buying Chicks or Chickens Poultry Keeping 101 Keeping Your Chickens Safe around Other Family Pets Keeping Other Kinds of Poultry

Part 5: The Part of Tens

Chapter 15: Ten Bird Myths Debunked

Birds Are Low-Maintenance Pets Birds Are High-Maintenance Companions Birds Are Fragile A Hand-Fed Bird Makes a Better Pet Seed Is the Best Diet for Birds Birds Get Mites and Lice Easily Birds Catch Colds from People A Sick Bird Is a Dead Bird Lovebirds Will Die of Loneliness If Not Kept in Pairs All Parrots Talk

Chapter 16: Ten Steps to a Healthy Bird

The Physical Examination Having Your Vet Review Your Caging and Husbandry Techniques Feeding Your Bird a Healthy Diet Performing a Behavioral Checkup Introducing a New Bird to Your Household without Endangering the Birds You Already Have Ordering Blood Tests Screening for Bacteria, Viruses, and Fungi If Necessary Testing for the Specific Causes of Some Diseases Determining Your Bird’s Gender Considering Vaccination

Chapter 17: Ten Questions to Ask When Buying a Bird

Where Do You Get Your Birds? How Many Birds Do You Sell per Year? What Are the Terms of the Sales Contract and Post-Purchase Warranty? What Are Your References? How Old Is This Bird? Does This Bird Have Any Medical Problems, Past or Current? Does This Bird Have Any Behavioral Problems? How Have You Socialized This Bird? What Have You Been Feeding This Bird? May I Visit and Get to Know the Bird Before Buying?

Chapter 18: Ten (Or So) Must-See Avian Websites

Fun for Kids — and Adults, Too Behavior Help and Then Some Enraptured over Raptors Help Us Get Home Meet Alex, the Star Birds of a Feather, Flocking Together Sources for Health Information Helping Birds in Need

Chapter 19: Ten Best Birds for Beginners

Canaries and Finches Budgies (Parakeets) Chickens Cockatiels Quaker Parakeets Poicephalus Parrots and Parrotlets Pionus Parrots Pyrrhura Conures Amazon Parrots Peach-Faced Lovebirds

Chapter 20: Ten Common Dangers to Your Bird’s Life

Predators Flying Free An Open Door or Window Inhalants Toxic Plants Certain Foods Heavy Metals Over-the-Counter Medications Your Feet Electrical Cords

Chapter 21: Ten Disaster-Planning Tips for Bird Lovers

Consider the Possibilities Make a Contact List Make Sure Your Bird Carries ID Make and Trade Bird-Care Files Collect Food and Supplies Keep a First-Aid Kit Fully Stocked Plan, Plan, Plan, and Practice Keep Your Bird Secure — and Separate Keep a “Lost Bird” Kit Ready Be Prepared to Help Others

Appendix: Resources

Aviculture and Veterinary Organizations Behavior and Care Books Conservation Groups, Research, Reference Resources, and Raptors Periodicals, Podcasts, Websites, and Apps Rescue and Adoption Organizations Toys and Supplies

Index About the Authors Supplemental Images Connect with Dummies End User License Agreement

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