The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Caged and Aviary Birds - David Alderton - Hermes House - 2008 - 256pp, indexed, full-colour photographs - Hard softcover in very good condition - Internally as new.
Postage & packaging R30.00
Bird-keeping as a hobby dates back more than 4,000 years and appears to have originated from the need to keep birds as a source of food. Fortunately, breeders learned to place a higher value on their bird stock, and over the centuries humans have delighted in keeping birds for sport and entertainment, and most of all for their sheer dazzling beauty.
This fantastic illustrated directory and practical reference book is an essential manual for bird-keepers of all levels - from the novice looking to keep a single pet bird indoors to the seasoned breeder wishing to extend an existing aviary collection.
The first half of the book takes a practical look at the subject of bird care, including: housing choices for different birds; constructing an aviary; buying birds and settling them in; feeding and handling; keeping birds healthy; exhibiting, breeding, and managing a stud. Every aspect of bird husbandry is discussed, and there are expert tips and step-by-step instructions to make learning new techniques clear and straightforward.
Next comes the directory. Knowing how to choose the right bird, or understanding the nature of birds you own, is highly rewarding. Each bird breed has its own needs, and a close look at more than 250 representative examples provides a fascinating insight into the colours, characteristics, weaknesses and breeding habits of each of the major groups: waxbills, weavers, wydahs, canaries and related finches, quails and pheasants, softbills, Australian parakeets, cockatiels, cockatoos, lories and lorikeets, parrots, doves and pigeons.
This beautiful comprehensive volume is the ultimate authoritative guide to keeping pet birds in the home or outdoor aviary. Illustrated with sumptuous colour photographs, this definitive manual provides all the information you need to make the right choices with confidence, and will prove an invaluable reference book for bird-keepers everywhere.
