Birds, including cage birds, as pets Books

Book SynopsisSOON TO BE A MAJOR FILM, THIS IS THE TRUE STORY OF THE UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN A FLIGHTLTESS BIRD AND A TEACHER OUT OF HIS DEPTH . . . ''I can''t remember the last time I read a book that made me smile so continuously'' 5***** Reader Review ''How could a penguin transform so many lives? Read it and see. You''ll not regret it'' 5***** Reader Review ''Delightful, uplifting, enjoyable, fun and beautifully written'' 5***** Reader Review _______ Tom Michell is in his roaring twenties: single, free-spirited and seeking adventure. He has a plane ticket to South America, a teaching position in a prestigious Argentine boarding school, and endless summer holidays. What he doesn''t need is a pet. What he really doesn''t need is a pet penguin. But while on holiday in Uruguay he spots a penguin struggling in an oil slick and knows he has to help. And then the penguin refuses to leave his side . . . ClearlyTrade ReviewA much-beloved tale about a much-beloved bird ... heartwarmingly eccentric.... It's bound to be a hit * Guardian *Entrancing ... the writing is a delight, the story itself so touching that I didn't want it to end. I really loved this book -- Michael Bond, creator of Paddington BearFantastic, fantastic - I have been glued to The Penguin Lessons ... it's so good. A magical story -- Dj Nihal * BBC Radio 2 Fact Not Fiction Bookclub *His tone suits the material perfectly ... you believe every word ... No fool, this penguin. No fools these publishers, who have unleashed such a delightful and charming book just in time for Christmas * Daily Mail *An uplifting true story about author Tom Michell's years as a teacher in Argentina and the penguin he adopted as a pet * Good Housekeeping *Warm and unique ... it's hard not to wish you were there ... a lovely story about a remarkable trip to the other side of the world and a gorgeous friendship between one man and his penguin * The Bookseller *While Michell devotes much of his time to heartwarming penguin antics, he also recalls the less idyllic elements of his time in Argentina, including runaway inflation and a military coup. Michell's crisp, intelligent voice is equally at home chatting about motorcycling through the Argentine countryside and hiding a penguin for the duration of a bus trip. His classic dry British wit provides the perfect counterbalance to the inherent sweetness of the penguin's remarkable devotion. Animal lovers and travel fans alike will find Michell's adventures bright and charming * Shelf Awareness *Lively and endearing ... In clever, entertaining vignettes accompanied by simple yet engaging illustrations, Michell ... interweaves introspection, travel tales, and penguin facts in a charming story that also reveals the charismatic nature of this gregarious and increasingly endangered species * Publishers Weekly *One of the most touching tales we've read all year * Heat ***** *Packed full of funny, heart-warming anecdotes and peppered with interesting details of the political and economic picture of Argentina, this would make a perfect Christmas stocking filler * Irish Examiner *Tom Michell seems like the sort of fellow you'd like to have dinner with sometime. He would no doubt regale you with fascinating tales of life in Argentina during the 1970s: living with high inflation and the collapse of the Perónist government, hiking in the high Andes, wandering the snowy, pine-covered wilderness of Tierra del Fuego. Oh, and he might tell you a little bit about a Magellanic penguin he used to know * Washington Post *A crazy, witty, enchanting story * Woman & Home *

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Book SynopsisChickens are many things: sources of meat and eggs, lovable pets, amusing images on merchandise, and a source of comfort at the end of a hard day. Whether we're considering joining the growing flock of backyard chicken-keepers or simply cheered by leafing through images of gorgeous poultry, our love for chickens is strong.The trend for backyard chickens has surged during the pandemic. Amazon searches for chick supplies are up 758%, with local hatcheries recording a 500% demand increase, as people look to reduce environmental impact, improve food traceability, connect with nature, or simply to relish the pure joy of chicken company.The Collins Backyard Chicken-keeper's Bible is the fourth title in this stunning and engaging series, and the perfect smallholder companion to The Beekeeper's Bible. It is packed with everything you need to fully embrace your new chicken-keeping lifestyle. A sumptuous aesthetic is paired with practical tips on identifying backyard breeds and supporting good cTrade ReviewOn Collins Backyard Birdwatcher’s Bible:‘An exquisitely illustrated book that everyone should be twitching to get their hands on … The information is accessible to beginners and novices, offering insightful tips for even experienced birdwatchers. With this book, educating oneself further about birds needn’t be a flight of fancy’ The Field

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Book SynopsisPROUD. ERECT. COCKS. You won’t believe your eyes. This book contains some of the world’s most impressive cocks! Paired with hilarious captions, these pics will have your jaw hitting the floor in no time. Go on – you know you want to sneak a little peak at these beautiful sturdy beasts!

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Book SynopsisBeautiful color photographs accompany practical and clear descriptions in which all the important characteristics of each species are given: sub-species, origin of name, parents and young, sizes and weights, habitat and habits, diet, nesting sites, breeding process, general remarks and mutations. Aratingas belong to the group of South American parrots. Together with the Macaws and the Amazons they are the best known parrot-likes from this region. They are familiar to every birdkeeper, albeit in varying degrees, yet until now no easy-reference book about this genus had appeared on the market. The author has successfully attempted to satisfy this need; he has chosen for the same layout as in his previous book Australian Parakeets and their Mutations, a publication which has been received with extreme enthusiasm by aviculturists. Aratingas therefore also contains high quality photographs of all the species and most of the sub-species, which once again have virtually all been taken by Cees Scholtz. The photographs accompany practical and clear descriptions in which all the important characteristics of each species are given: sub-species, origin of name, parents and young, sizes and weights, habitat and habits, diet, nesting sites, breeding process, general remarks and mutations.

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Book SynopsisDalia Monterroso, founder of the popular website Welcome to Chickenlandia, brings a fresh, inclusive voice to the community of backyard chicken keeping with this entry-level guide designed to empower anyone who's always wanted to keep chickens but may have thought it required special knowledge and a large investment in equipment. Monterroso's enthusiasm is contagious as she conveys the basics of chicken keeping, with an emphasis on low-cost, natural practices and shares her belief that humans have an innate ability to care for chickens. Asserting that the backyard chicken community welcomes everyone, she addresses a broad audience, including those in urban and suburban locations. Readers will learn how to plan their flock, how to raise baby chicks, what to look for in a chicken coop, how to keep chickens healthy naturally, and more. Drawing from her own experience as the child of Guatemalan immigrants, Monterroso celebrates how chicken-keeping has been practiced around the world and offers an opportunity to connect with previous generations and transcend cultural, racial, economic, and political divides.

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Book SynopsisStep-by-step instructions on caring for pet birds including a photographic directory of 250 of the most popular varieties.

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Book SynopsisThe ideal portable companion, the world-renowned Collins Gem series returns with a fresh new look and updated material.This is the perfect pocket guide for keen birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts to identify the diverse range of birds that inhabit their gardens.Authoritative text and beautiful photographs show the distinguishing features of each bird, including information on each species'' feeding, behavioural habits, breeding, voice and population. An extensive introduction provides information on nesting sites, water, pests and predators.This new edition builds on the strengths of the unrivalled original, covering all birds most likely to be found in our gardens.

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Book SynopsisBritain's gardens are a vast, living landscape and the home to hundreds of species of birds. Learn to pay attention to these visitors to your own garden or local park and you'll have a front-row seat to the unfolding drama that is the garden bird's year.As dawn breaks across your back garden, if you were paying attention, you would notice that the robin and the blackbird are always the first birds to arrive. These ground hunters have large eyes, so don't mind the dim light of the early morning. And that's just the beginning of what you can learn watching your own back garden. Ornithologist Mike Toms has spent a year avidly observing his own garden, and the result is a comprehensive picture of the lives of garden birds.From the crowded yet quiet January garden populated by migratory fieldfares and bramblings, to the riotous gardens of spring, filled with songbirds competing for mates, the garden ecosystem changes throughout the year. Learn to spot these changes, to greet the arrival of Trade ReviewPraise for New Naturalist Garden Birds: ‘Excellent’ Chris Packham Praise for New Naturalist Owls by Mike Toms: ‘Seventy years in the making, this celebration of our native owls is a fine addition to a glory of British publishing – the New Naturalist series’ The Sunday Times ‘It’s an excellent read and should be on every owl enthusiast’s bookshelf, not to mention those of collectors of this great series’ Birdwatching magazine ‘Fabulous … [New Naturalist Owls] brings the natural world to a wide audience in simple unfussy but engaging prose … The result is the best and most detailed published account of the British owl species ever produced … One of the joys of the book is that Toms leaves no stone unturned to narrate the birds’ full biography’ Mark Cocker, Eastern Daily Press

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Book SynopsisShare[s] the life-enhancing joys of the humble hen' Sunday TimesClocks our obsession with chicken-keeping Brilliant' New York MagazineAn immersive blend of chicken-keeping memoir and animal welfare reporting by a journalist who accidentally became obsessed with her flock.Since first domesticating the chicken thousands of years ago, humans have become exceptionally adept at raising them for food. Yet most people rarely interact with chickens or know much about them. In Under the Henfluence, Tove Danovich explores the lives of these quirky, mysterious birds who stole her heart the moment her first box of chicks arrived at the post office.From a hatchery in Iowa to a chicken show in Ohio to a rooster rescue in Minnesota, Danovich interviews the people breeding, training, healing and, most importantly, adoring chickens. With more than 60 billion chickens living on industrial farms around the world, they're easy to dismiss as just another dinner ingredient. Yet Danovich's reporting revealsTrade Review‘Share[s] the life-enhancing joys of the humble hen’ Sunday Times ‘A call to arms, but in an entertainingly written, well-paced way. It certainly makes you think.’ Kate Green, Country Life ‘Under the Henfluence clocks our obsession with chicken-keeping. Highbrow / Brilliant.’ New York Magazine ‘Not intended to be a how-to for amateur poultry breeders, Danovich’s work does offer broad and compelling insight into how raising chickens transforms and enriches human lives.’ Booklist ‘The author writes with warmth and candour, sharing her obvious love for her feathered pets … Informative and engaging’ Bookmunch ‘A heartfelt account of raising pet hens … [that] endears and provides an intimate look at animals more often thought of as food than friends … Anyone who’s mulled the possibility of setting up a backyard coop will find this the next best thing.’ Publisher’s Weekly ‘A delightful peep into an old business, refreshed for a new generation’ Aimee Nezhukumatathil, New York Times bestselling author of World of Wonders ‘A moving tribute to the world’s most numerous birds. It will change the way you look at chickens.’ Hal Herzog, author of Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why it’s so hard to think straight about animals ‘Danovich’s book is a gem’ Marc Bekoff, author of The Emotional Lives of Animals ‘A realistic and immersive look into our relationship with those beings in our care … Under the Henfluence makes it impossible for the reader not to think of – and possibly love – the idea of chickens in a new way.’ Mira Ptacin, Modern Farmer ‘The company of hens could be the best cure for depression … Their jostling energy and distinct personalities bring joy … Interweaving reflection and reportage, Danovich leads us down [these and other] bizarre byways’ Spectator

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Book SynopsisIn Birds and Us, award-winning writer and ornithologist Tim Birkhead takes us on an epic and dazzling journey through this mutual history with birds, from the ibises mummified and deified by Ancient Egyptians to Renaissance experiments on woodpecker anatomy, from Victorian obsessions with egg collecting to the present fight to save endangered species and restore their habitats.Weaving in stories from his own life as a scientist, including far-flung expeditions to wondrous Neolithic caves in Spain and the bustling guillemot colonies of the Faroe Islands, this rich and fascinating book is the culmination of a lifetime''s research and unforgettably shows how birds shaped us, and how we have shaped them.''Birds and Us wings its way through 12,000 years of our species'' engagement with the avian world. Birkhead tells it all with delightful gusto, plaiting personal encounters with challenging historical research and bewitching scientific rigor'' Tim Dee''Thought-provoking at every turn, this inspiring, shocking, wonder-filled exploration of our relationship with birds from earliest times delivers a sobering challenge to us living with birds today'' Isabella Tree, author of Wilding''A fascinating book about the close and often surprising relationship between birds and people, written by one of our leading ornithologists'' Stephen MossTrade Review'Tim Birkhead is an eminent scientific ornithologist and a masterful science communicator. Birds and Us wings its way through 12,000 years of our species' engagement with the avian world. He tells it all with delightful gusto, plaiting personal encounters (with birds and bird-people) with challenging historical research and bewitching scientific rigor' -- Tim Dee'Thought-provoking at every turn, this inspiring, shocking, wonder-filled exploration of our relationship with birds from earliest times delivers a sobering challenge to us living with birds today' -- Isabella Tree, author of Wilding'A fascinating book about the close and often surprising relationship between birds and people, written by one of our leading ornithologists' -- Stephen Moss'A beguiling and beautifully illustrated study... extraordinary details fly off the page, from how guillemot eggs refuse to harden when boiled, to the discovery of millions of mummified ibises in Egyptian catacombs. Birkhead is a personable, often amusing, guide' * Mail on Sunday (5 star review) *'[Birkhead's] book arrives enticingly illustrated, but it's his obsessive passion which is most transfixing' * Observer *'A compelling combination of first-hand experiences, human stories, birdlore and scientific puzzles that take us through a 12,000-year pageant to the present day...the whole narrative fizzes with his infectious enthusiasm, curiosity and energy' -- Jeremy Mynott * TLS *'Birkhead's approach to writing - hard, clear sentences; deep, revelatory looking - has the same effect as his microscope, making us see the familiar with new eyes' -- Alex Preston'A brilliant and passionate celebration - how birds enrich our lives and now, more than ever, depend on us' -- Nick Davies, author of Cuckoo'Justly acclaimed for his brilliance at explaining complex science in a beguilingly lively style' * BBC Wildlife *'Tim Birkhead is an eminent scientific ornithologist and a masterful science communicator. Birds and Us wings its way through 12,000 years of our species' engagement with the avian world. He tells it all with delightful gusto, plaiting personal encounters (with birds and bird-people) with challenging historical research and bewitching scientific rigor' -- Tim Dee'Thought-provoking at every turn, this inspiring, shocking, wonder-filled exploration of our relationship with birds from earliest times delivers a sobering challenge to us living with birds today' -- Isabella Tree, author of Wilding'A fascinating book about the close and often surprising relationship between birds and people, written by one of our leading ornithologists' -- Stephen Moss'A beguiling and beautifully illustrated study... extraordinary details fly off the page, from how guillemot eggs refuse to harden when boiled, to the discovery of millions of mummified ibises in Egyptian catacombs. Birkhead is a personable, often amusing, guide' * Mail on Sunday (5 star review) *'[Birkhead's] book arrives enticingly illustrated, but it's his obsessive passion which is most transfixing' * Observer *'A compelling combination of first-hand experiences, human stories, birdlore and scientific puzzles that take us through a 12,000-year pageant to the present day...the whole narrative fizzes with his infectious enthusiasm, curiosity and energy' -- Jeremy Mynott * TLS *'Birkhead's approach to writing - hard, clear sentences; deep, revelatory looking - has the same effect as his microscope, making us see the familiar with new eyes' -- Alex Preston'A brilliant and passionate celebration - how birds enrich our lives and now, more than ever, depend on us' -- Nick Davies, author of Cuckoo'Justly acclaimed for his brilliance at explaining complex science in a beguilingly lively style' * BBC Wildlife *

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Book Synopsis2022 Independent Publisher Book Award for Animals/Pets (Gold)Chickens are a lot more mainstream than veganism and a little bit like kombucha: super weird twenty years ago, now somewhat popular and made even more so by logos, brands, and hashtags. So begins Gina Warren's deep dive into the backyard chicken movement. Digging into its history and food politics, she provides a highly personal account of the movement's social and cultural motivations, the regulations it faces, and the ways that chicken owners build community. Weaving together interviews with urban agriculture advocates, entrepreneurs such as a $225 per hour chicken consultant, animal rights campaigners, and a fabulous cross-section of chicken enthusiasts, Warren sheds light on Americans' complex relationship with animalsas guardians, companions, and eatersand what it means to be a conscious eater. As Warren chronicles her own misadventures raising chickens, her pursuit of what's best for her own flock leads past chicken tTrade Review"A welcome addition to others about the backyard chicken movement." * Food Politics *"[An] entertaining, thoughtfully earnest book... a very accessible rendering of a topic that reflects larger issues in the US food production industry." * Choice *"Demonstrates thoughtful grappling with what it means to be an ethical eater in a capitalist society." * New Books Network *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A welcome addition to others about the backyard chicken movement." * Food Politics *"[An] entertaining, thoughtfully earnest book... a very accessible rendering of a topic that reflects larger issues in the US food production industry." * Choice *"Demonstrates thoughtful grappling with what it means to be an ethical eater in a capitalist society." * New Books Network *

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Book SynopsisTwenty years ago Pepperberg set out to discover whether large-brained, highly social parrots were capable of mastering complex cognitive concepts and the rudiments of referential speech. This book represents the long-awaited synthesis of the studies constituting one of the landmark experiments in modern comparative psychology.Trade ReviewAlex's spectacular abilities were sensationalized in the news media, as though it were a talking parrot act. That obscured the significance of the studies, which is why The Alex Studies is important...[Irene Pepperberg has] done groundbreaking experiments, and bringing them together in a panoramic view is a great service...She describes simply what she did, and why and how her results compare with equivalent language-use and comprehension studies on chimps, marine mammals and children...She proves that animals have abilities greater than we are led to expect, but these can be revealed only by appropriate research tools. She succeeds where many others failed, and she convinces us that the details of investigative methods are what matter. The purpose is not to reveal Alex as a winged Einstein. Instead, she shows that complex mental operations are revealed only be precise methods that match the capabilities investigated. And she demonstrates remarkable parallels between parrots and humans. The core importance of social interaction in both learning and testing is crucial for her results. In that, her studies have relevance far beyond parrots. -- Bernd Heinrich * New York Times Book Review *Alex's abilities are extraordinary, and Pepperberg's investigation of them makes The Alex Studies essential for anyone interested in the wider issues it raises...As with other pioneering works from Darwin's to E. O. Wilson's, its influence will be felt throughout the field of animal ethology for years to come. -- Caroline Fraser * Los Angeles Times *Pepperberg's work is admirably rigorous. Earlier work with language-trained animals was notorious for poor design and overly charitable interpretations of data. Pepperberg, by contrast, takes careful precautions against inadvertent cueing. She uses conservative estimates of chance when assessing the statistical reliability of Alex's responses, and she shows restraint when interpreting her results...Pepperberg has organized her book in a quasi-historical fashion, framing each phase of her research in terms of the contemporary work that inspired or informed it. Each chapter is devoted to a particular capacity or competence, such as numerical cognition, categorization, or the comprehension of words...From those who wish to read selectively (or for instructors who wish to assign only one or two chapters) it should be quite welcome because each chapter can stand on its own reasonably well...The book should be accessible to a wide range of audiences, from researchers studying animal behavior to advanced undergraduates in a course that covers relevant material such as animal cognition or the capacities of language-trained animals. -- Edward Kako * Science *Pepperberg has elegantly summarized her 20 years of success showing that an African Grey Parrot can match the cognitive and communicative competence of great apes. Her training paradigm involving reference, functionality and social interaction permits the expression of abilities hitherto unexpected in birds and challenges traditional views of the evolution of intelligence. -- Charles T. Snowdon, University of Wisconsin, MadisonIrene Pepperberg's studies of Alex are some of the most remarkable and significant in the whole field of animal cognition. Her evidence stands up to the closest scrutiny, and Alex the parrot turns out to have cognitive abilities that were not even suspected before Pepperberg began her work. -- Marian Dawkins, University of OxfordFor researchers in the field of animal cognition, Pepperberg brings together in a well organized form 20 years of her work with Grey parrots. In detailing the training and remarkable achievements of Alex and the other birds in Pepperberg's lab, The Alex Studies makes it clear that parrots are capable of much more than "parroting" or mechanically mimicking what they hear. But this book makes a much greater contribution. It provides a general integrative framework for the larger field of animal cognition, providing much needed links between important natural behavior selected for by evolutionary processes and theories and data from human cognitive development. -- Thomas R. Zentall, University of KentuckyWhat distinguishes the work of Pepperberg from that of the majority of researchers working with language- trained apes is that she is truly interested in the underlying cognitive processes involved in her subject's behaviour. She thus asks questions…and then designs experiments to test the possibilities…this book represents a scholarly reporting of a scientist's quest to understand the mind of another species in as honest and rigorous a manner as is possible, under the circumstances of being both "parent" and investigator. -- Michael Tomasello and Josep Call * Animal Behaviour *Table of ContentsPreface 1. Introduction: In Search of King Solomon's Ring 2. Can We Really Communicate with a Bird? 3. Can a Parrot Learn Referential Use of English Speech? 4. Does a Parrot Have Categorical Concepts? 5. Can a Parrot Learn the Concept of Same/Different? 6. Can a Parrot Respond to the Absence of Information? 7. To What Extent Can a Parrot Understand and Use Numerical Concepts? 8. How Can We Be Sure That Alex Understands the Labels in His Repertoire? 9. Can a Parrot Understand Relative Concepts? 10. What Is the Extent of a Parrot's Concept of Object Permanence? 11. Can Any Part of a Parrot's Vocal Behavior Be Classified as "Intentional"? 12. Can a Parrot's Sound Play Assist Its Learning? 13. Can a Parrot's Sound Play Be Transformed into Meaningful Vocalizations? 14. What Input Is Needed to Teach a Parrot a Human-based Communication Code? 15. How Similar to Human Speech Is That Produced by a Parrot? 16. How Does a Grey Parrot Produce Human Speech Sounds? 17. Conclusion: What Are the Implications of Alex's Data? Notes References Glossary Credits Index

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Book SynopsisFor generations, people in the countryside have kept chickens, mainly for the eggs. Now, more and more people, in town as well as countryside, are enjoying the pleasure of keeping hens in the garden and reaping the reward of those fresh eggs every day. Virginia Shirt has lived with chickens for over 15 years so her knowledge of these fascinating birds is conditioned by practical experience. Her book is a revelation to every aspiring enthusiast. Concentrating initially on the very first steps, the book goes on to deal with feeding and rearing chickens and comprehensively covers matters relating to health and disease.Table of Contents1. Preparing for Your Chickens 2. Keeping the Chickens Happy 3. Purchasing Your Chickens 4. Feeding Your Chickens 5. Care and Use of Your Eggs 6. Extra Joys of Chickens 7. Health and Disease in the Chicken

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Book SynopsisThe essential reference guide to keeping the most popular pet species and breeds, including hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits, birds, reptiles and fish, with more than 750 photographs

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Book SynopsisThe Great Horned Owl is the largest owl found throughout most of North America. Adult owls are between eighteen to 24 inches from head to tail and can have a wing span of more than four feet. Their long ear tufts and cryptic coloration enables them to remain well hidden during the day, often out of sight of sharp-eyed diurnal raptors and eagle-eyed birders. Through more than 130 photographs and illustrations, take an in-depth look into the life of this very impressive and formidable bird. Explore the owls' food habits, nesting sites, how they raise their young, and the rehabilitation of injured owls. The one-of-a-kind photographs and comprehensive descriptions make this a must-have treasure to be enjoyed by all ages. It is sure to become the go-to reference on the Great Horned Owl.

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Book SynopsisA candid and humorous chronicle showing how one woman goes from casual observer to obsessive bird nerd as she traverses Louisiana’s avian paradise. In Adventures of a Louisiana Birder, readers follow Marybeth Lima across her adopted state in search of 300 species of birds.

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Book SynopsisThe ostrich is a relatively new agricultural animal in many parts of the world and even in South Africa it was domesticated only a little over a century ago. Recently however there has been a huge growth in interest in ostrich farming, and production of ostriches for low-fat meat and leather is now a reality in many parts of the world. This book is the first comprehensive volume to review the world scientific literature on ostrich biology, production and health:Written by leading authors from South Africa, Europe, Israel and the USA Deals with the ostrich in farmed and natural environmentsEssential reading for those interested in avian and poultry scienceTable of Contents1: Introduction, D C Deeming, Hatchery Consulting & Research, Wallingford, UK 2: Anatomy, A J Bezuidenhout, University of Pretoria, South Africa 3: Physiology, E Skadhauge, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark and A Dawson, Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Huntingdon, UK 4: Behaviour in Natural and Captive Environments,D C Deeming, and N E Bubier, Durrell Institute For Conservation and Ecology, The University, Canterbury, UK 5: Basic Concepts and Recent Advances in Digestion and Nutrition, S C Cilliers, Camelus Feeds, Oudtshoorn South Africa and C R Angel, University of Maryland, USA 6: Reproduction, J T Soley and H B Groenewald, University of Pretoria, South Africa 7: Factors Affecting the Success of Commercial Incubation, D C Deeming and A Ar, Tel Aviv University, Israel 8: Rearing Environments Around the World, D J Verwoerd, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, South Africa, D C Deeming, C R Angel and B Perelman, Mabuim 1, Israel 9: Welfare, M A Mitchell, Roslin Institute (Edinburgh), UK 10: Slaughter and Products, J Sales, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa 11: Breeding and Genetics, J N Petitte and G Davis, North Carolina State University, USA 12: Veterinary Problems, F W Huchzermeyer, South Africa 13: Health Management and Veterinary Procedures, B Perelman, Israel."

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Book SynopsisA first-of-its-kind resource, 'Raptors in Captivity' is designed as a reader-friendly reference tool covering a wide range of topics from making the decision to keep raptors and choosing suitable species, to housing and transportation, diet, medical care, equipment, training, and recovering a lost bird. From the novice to the experienced, this book provides everyone with the most current techniques -- drawn from a consortium of experts and not available in any other written form -- for successfully managing a variety of raptor species in captivity.

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Book SynopsisYour one-stop guide to caring for your avian companion Pet birds are intelligent, affectionate, and rewarding companions. No matter what bird you choose, you need to set up a happy home for him with the right stuff. You also need to keep your bird healthy by performing routine care and knowing what a healthy bird looks like and how he behaves. This friendly guide describes the birds that make the best pets, explains how to select the bird that''s best for you, offers tips on bonding with your feathered friend, and provides expert advice on feeding and environmental enrichment that will keep these intelligent pets engaged. Benefit from a full-color guide to pet birds Choose the right bird based on your budget and lifestyle Create a bird-friendly environment that minimizes noise and mess Bond with your winged pet If you're ready for your love of birds to take flight, this book has everything you need.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 About This Book 1 Foolish Assumptions 2 Icons Used in This Book 2 Beyond the Book 3 Where to Go from Here 3 Part 1: Getting Started with Birds 5 Chapter 1: Birds and Humans: It’s Only Natural! 7 Getting to Know the History of Birds 8 Food, feathers, and (finally!) friendship 9 Humans’ enduring involvement 9 Deciding If You’re Ready for a Bird 14 Putting in the time 14 Shelling out the bucks 17 Dealing with the noise and mess 17 Chapter 2: Narrowing the Choices 19 Deciding What You’re Looking for in a Bird 20 Judging interactivity 20 Considering size 21 Making a mess 21 Bring in da noise 22 Talking ability 22 Paying attention to price 23 Considering the Species 24 The hands-off color and songbirds 25 Small parrots 27 Medium-size parrots 33 Large parrots 36 Toucans, mynahs, and some others 42 Chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons, peafowl, and turkeys 42 Chapter 3: Deciding on a Bird of Your Own 47 Telling the Girls from the Guys 49 Checking Up on a Bird’s Good Health 51 Making Mature Decisions about Age 52 Weighing the pros and cons of baby birds 52 Considering the prospect of an older bird 54 Finding a Reputable Source 56 Pet stores 58 Breeders 60 Private parties 61 Protecting Your Rights 62 Part 2: Caring for Your Bird 63 Chapter 4: Preparing for Your Bird’s Arrival 65 Shopping for Cages 66 Considering size: Bigger is better 66 Focusing on material: Wood or metal? 67 Knowing what to look for in a cage 68 Shopping for a travel carrier 69 Perch Perfect: Finding the Right Perch for Your Bird 71 Diving into Dishes and Waterers 75 Keeping Your Bird Entertained 76 Play stands and gyms 77 Food as entertainment 78 Clearing the Air 81 Cleaning Up 82 Stocking up on cleaning supplies 82 Preventing messes in the first place 83 Chapter 5: Starting Your Bird Off Right 85 Setting Up the Cage 86 Settling In 88 Managing Introductions 90 Kids 90 Cats 90 Dogs 91 Other birds 93 Building Trust through Training 93 Rules for you 94 Teaching the “Step up” cue 95 Target training 96 Carrier training 98 Keeping Things Clean: A Basic Regimen 99 Setting up for cleaning 100 Everyday cleanups 101 The big clean 103 Identifying Your Bird in Case He Flies the Coop 103 Banding 104 Microchipping 104 Chapter 6: The New Art, Science, and Fun of Feeding Birds Right 107 Understanding Bird Nutrition 108 Macronutrients 109 Micronutrients 113 Knowing What Your Bird Should Be Eating 115 Pelleted diets 115 Fruits and vegetables 118 Food for people and other pets 120 Nuts 120 Seeds 121 Converting Your Bird’s Diet 123 Feeding Birds of a (Slightly) Different Feather: Lories and Lorikeets 126 Chapter 7: Beyond Food and Water: Bird Basics 129 Translating Bird Body Language 130 The eyes have it 131 Say what? 132 Beak bulletins 134 Wing things 136 Tail tales 137 Posture primer 138 Getting a Handle on Your Bird 140 Meet “Mr Towel” 141 Practicing Good Grooming 143 Trimming nails 143 Clipping wings 145 Raining down with showers, baths, and misting 148 Bird Care When You Can’t 150 Pet sitters 150 Boarding 152 Harness Training 153 Types of harnesses 154 Harness-training tips 155 Taking Your Bird with You 156 Hitting the beach 156 Hitting the road 157 Flying with your bird 158 Part 3: Keeping Your Bird Healthy 161 Chapter 8: How Birds Work: The Short Course 163 The Outside: More than Just Beautiful 164 Built for versatility: The beak 165 A bird’s-eye view 170 The better to ear you with 171 Beautiful, functional feathers 171 A leg to stand on, times two 176 Finding Your Inner Bird 178 Them bones, them bones 178 Live and breathe: The cardiopulmonary system 180 Ya gotta eat: The gastrointestinal system 180 Chapter 9: A Preventive Care Approach to Your Bird’s Health 183 Understanding Why Preventive Care is the Best Care 184 What your bird won’t tell you — and why 185 More arguments for preventive care 186 Following a Three-Part Plan for Preventive Care 189 Starting with a healthy bird 189 Providing proper care and nutrition 191 Working with the pros 192 Finding the Right Veterinarian 193 Why “any veterinarian” may not be right for your bird 193 Special care for a special pet 195 Who’s out there, and what are they offering? 196 Chapter 10: Your Bird in Sickness — and Back to Health 201 Remembering That Birds Are Birds — Not People, Not Dogs 202 Understanding the Role of Home Care 204 Knowing First-Aid Basics 205 What qualifies as an emergency 205 Who to call, where to go 208 What to do, in what order 209 Emergency! The veterinarian’s role 213 Looking at Infectious Diseases That Panic Parrot Lovers 215 Tiny beings, big problems 215 Psittacine beak and feather disease 216 Psittacid herpesvirus and Pacheco’s parrot disease 217 Avian polyomavirus 218 Proventricular dilation disease 218 Psittacosis 219 Aspergillosis and candidiasis 219 Offering Supportive Care 221 The hospital stay 221 Home care 222 Giving medication 223 Chapter 11: Lifelong Care for Your Bird 225 Why Birds Are Living Longer 226 Domestically raised versus wild caught 226 New views on nutrition 227 The veterinary contribution 228 Health and the Older Bird 229 Chronic malnutrition 229 Cataracts 232 Arthritis 232 Heart disease 232 Chronic pain 233 Knowing When It’s Time to Say Goodbye 235 Euthanasia options 237 Dealing with loss 238 What If You Go First? 241 Part 4: Living Happily with Your Bird 243 Chapter 12: Behavior 101: Getting to “Good Bird!” 245 Setting the Stage for Good Behavior 246 Ensuring your bird’s health 246 Being fair to your bird 247 Being consistent with your bird 251 Becoming your bird’s life coach 251 Problem-Solving Unwanted Behaviors 255 Feather picking 255 Biting and other forms of aggression 260 Screaming 261 Deciding What to Do If You Can’t Solve a Big Problem 264 Chapter 13: Living in a Multiple-Bird Household 267 Deciding Between Companion Birds and Breeders 268 Choosing birds for companionship 269 Deciding whether breeding is right for you 270 Understanding the Closed Aviary Concept: Rules to Live By 271 Choosing Compatible Birds 272 Species and gender issues 272 Size and temperament issues 273 Recognizing the Joys and Challenges of Breeding 274 Pair bonding: ’Til death do us part 275 Setting up your birds’ love nest 276 Taking care of eggs 277 Raising babies 279 Chapter 14: Caring for Chickens and Other Backyard Poultry 283 Chickens with Benefits: Seeing What Chickens Have to Offer 285 Considering Different Chicken Breeds 287 Buying Chicks or Chickens 290 Poultry Keeping 101 291 Setting your chickens up with a proper coop 292 Keeping predators at bay 293 Feeding your chickens what they need 294 Protecting your lawn and garden 296 Controlling waste 296 Keeping your chickens healthy 297 Providing your chicken with enrichment and training 299 Outfitting your chicken with diapers, sweaters, dresses, and more 300 Keeping Your Chickens Safe around Other Family Pets 301 Keeping Other Kinds of Poultry 304 Ducks 304 Geese 306 Turkeys 307 Guineafowl 308 Game birds 309 Peafowl 309 Part 5: The Part of Tens 311 Chapter 15: Ten Bird Myths Debunked 313 Birds Are Low-Maintenance Pets 314 Birds Are High-Maintenance Companions 314 Birds Are Fragile 315 A Hand-Fed Bird Makes a Better Pet 316 Seed is the Best Diet for Birds 316 Birds Get Mites and Lice Easily 317 Birds Catch Colds from People 317 A Sick Bird is a Dead Bird 318 Lovebirds Will Die of Loneliness If Not Kept in Pairs 318 All Parrots Talk 319 Chapter 16: Ten Steps to a Healthy Bird 321 The Physical Examination 322 Having Your Vet Review Your Caging and Husbandry Techniques 324 Feeding Your Bird a Healthy Diet 325 Performing a Behavioral Checkup 326 Introducing a New Bird to Your Household without Endangering the Birds You Already Have 326 Ordering Blood Tests 327 Screening for Bacteria, Viruses, and Fungi If Necessary 327 Testing for the Specific Causes of Some Diseases 328 Determining Your Bird’s Gender 328 Considering Vaccination 329 Chapter 17: Ten Questions to Ask When Buying a Bird 331 Where Do You Get Your Birds? 331 How Many Birds Do You Sell per Year? 333 What Are the Terms of the Sales Contract and Post-Purchase Warranty? 333 What Are Your References? 334 How Old is This Bird? 334 Does This Bird Have Any Medical Problems, Past or Current? 336 Does This Bird Have Any Behavioral Problems? 336 How Have You Socialized This Bird? 337 What Have You Been Feeding This Bird? 338 May I Visit and Get to Know the Bird Before Buying? 338 Chapter 18: Ten (Or So) Must-See Avian Websites 341 Fun for Kids — and Adults, Too 341 Behavior Help and Then Some 342 Enraptured over Raptors 343 Help Us Get Home 343 Meet Alex, the Star 344 Birds of a Feather, Flocking Together 345 Sources for Health Information 346 Helping Birds in Need 347 Chapter 19: Ten Best Birds for Beginners 349 Canaries and Finches 350 Budgies (Parakeets) 352 Chickens 353 Cockatiels 354 Quaker Parakeets 355 Poicephalus Parrots and Parrotlets 357 Pionus Parrots 358 Pyrrhura Conures 359 Amazon Parrots 361 Peach-Faced Lovebirds 362 Chapter 20: Ten Common Dangers to Your Bird’s Life 363 Predators 364 Flying Free 364 An Open Door or Window 365 Inhalants 366 Toxic Plants 367 Certain Foods 368 Heavy Metals 368 Over-the-Counter Medications 369 Your Feet 369 Electrical Cords 370 Chapter 21: Ten Disaster-Planning Tips for Bird Lovers 371 Consider the Possibilities 372 Make a Contact List 373 Make Sure Your Bird Carries ID 373 Make and Trade Bird-Care Files 374 Collect Food and Supplies 374 Keep a First-Aid Kit Fully Stocked 375 Plan, Plan, Plan, and Practice 375 Keep Your Bird Secure — and Separate 375 Keep a “Lost Bird” Kit Ready 376 Be Prepared to Help Others 376 Appendix: Resources 377 Index 387

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Book SynopsisA moving account of raising, then freeing, an orphaned owl, whose lasting friendship with the author illuminates humanity's relationship with the worldTrade Review"Carl Safina has written a book of great wisdom and beauty, full of drama and insight. How right to choose an owl, symbol of learning, to help us see anew the twinned truths of compassion and connection—gifts our kind desperately needs to keep our world alive." -- Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an Octopus"The rescue of a little screech owl brings Carl Safina the unexpected joy of companionship and propagation of the species, leading him to philosophize about humanity and how much we’re part of nature. A delightful read!" -- Frans de Waal, author of Different"This is a book about a foundling owl, and infinitely more. As it turns out, the universe and all its mysteries, our relationship with our wild kin and a better future for ourselves and the planet—all are reflected through the prism of an eight-inch ball of feathers named Alfie. Carl Safina has never been more eloquent, or more urgent. Alfie & Me is masterful." -- Scott Weidensaul, author of A World on the Wing

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Book SynopsisBorn and raised in the South Yorkshire mining village of Hoyland Common, Richard Hines remembers heaps of coal dust, listening out for the colliery siren at the end of shifts and praying for his father's safe return. When he failed his eleven-plus it seemed all too likely that he would follow in his father''s footsteps and end up working in the pits - unlike his older brother Barry, who had passed the exam to grammar school and seemed to be heading for great things.Crushed by this, Richard spent his time in the fields and meadows beyond the slag heap. One morning, walking in the grounds of a ruined medieval manor, he came across a nest of kestrels. Instantly captivated, he sought out ancient falconry texts from the local library and pored over the strange and beautiful language there. With just these books, some ingenuity and his profound respect for the hawk's indomitable wildness, Richard learned to ''man'', or train, his kestrel, Kes, and in the process found the passion that would Trade ReviewThis is a work of enchanting honesty and tenderness; it is as gentle and inspiring to the reader as a falconer is with his hawks. Hines has a deep and lifelong passion for birds of prey, creatures of implacable wildness which have nevertheless lived and hunted with humans for millennia. Full of fascinating detail about the training of raptors, and kestrels in particular, No Way But Gentlenesse is far more than a book on falconry. Rich with history and anecdote, lit with humour and passionate social concern, it gives us new insights into the making of one of our best-loved films. It speaks of love, family, history, and education, and illuminates how an obsession can enrich and shape one’s life. Reading it was a true pleasure -- Helen MacdonaldReading Richard Hines’s book is like seeing a myth captured and brought to earth … Completely absorbing. His descriptions are so vivid you feel close enough to reach forward and touch -- Peter Carey * Sunday Times *Richard communicates his passion for falconry and for the landscape of his home town with great warmth. He played a great part in training the three kestrels who played 'Kes' -- Ken LoachIt is certainly worth having. And its plain-spoken and unflashy but eloquent account, as its title suggests, of all sorts of gentleness, first to do with the taming of meat-eating raptors, but then also related to Hine’s human kith and kin, runs deep into the literature birds and people ... Hine’s sweet title comes from a seventeenth-century falconry manual. And gentleness sweetly pushes through much of this book -- Tim Dee, Book of the Week * Guardian *A thoughtful and evocative memoir … A must for H is for Hawk fans * Sunday Express *Kes … is regularly hailed as a classic of British cinema. But the story behind it turns out to be almost as good as the film itself … If the book is, in part, an account of [Barry and Richard’s] relationship, at its heart is another, rather more touching bond – the one Richard enjoyed with his kestrels. He has certainly taken his time writing it, but this is a poignant, vividly recollected account of an angry, agonised and apparently earth-bound boy learning, in one sense at least, how to soar -- John Preston * Daily Mail *Captivating and inspiring … grounded and uplifting, accessible yet aspirational - a pleasurable bend of conflicts that demonstrates the power of nature and the good that comes from nurturing one’s passions * Publisher's Weekly *A moving memoir sheds new light on a celebrated film -- John Sutherland * The Times *The prose is as honed and svelte as the kestrels themselves, searingly honest, and sharp as a raptor’s eye. A poignant life story that will grip you from the first to the very last page, and make you well up with tears and cry with laughter -- Miriam Darlington * BBC Wildlife *Poetic, yearning -- Charlotte Heathcote * Sunday Express *A powerful evocation of northern working-class life in the Fifties and Sixties …This book is never bitter. On the contrary, it is the work of a man who understands that the important things in life require patience and that the most powerful means of persuasion is gentleness -- Mark Cocker * Mail on Sunday *No Way But Gentlenesse pulls no punches on the issues of class and entitlement – or lack of – that also made Kes so groundbreaking… As [Hines] describes so evocatively in the book, he too was earmarked in early life and by an inflexible education system to a lesser lot in life… Falconer or just plain old bird enthusiast, if you can love something that isn’t giving very much love in return, perhaps that is the greatest love… And if you can set a bird free, as Richard did for the Kestrels immortalised on film, well, even better. Letting go might even be the greatest gentlenesse -- Conor Jameson * British Birds *A delightful story of a boy, his birds, and his pursuit of knowledge in spite of society’s dictates * Kirkus *Beautifully written ... throughout Hines’ memoir there’s a sense of championing the underdog, whether it be the loving attention he paid to his kestrels as a child or the racism he found himself appalled by when he volunteered overseas in Nigeria * Yorkshire Post *The issue of class weaves through the pages … A moving story of a man and the bird he loves * BBC Countryfile *A moving and powerful tale of the redemptive powers of nature -- Stephen Moss * Guardian, 'Books of the Year' *‘Wonderful’ -- Keggie Carew * Financial Times *

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