Living with a Cockatiel (Living with a Pet)

The newest photo-filled title in Barron's Living With a Pet series was written especially for prospective cockatiel owners who are looking for detailed information about the needs and traits of this fascinating bird. Originally native to Australia, cockatiels are members of the parrot family. Wild cockatiels tend to be smaller than birds bred in captivity. Given proper care the cockatiel thrives and readily breeds in captivity. This book offers advice on choosing one or more good specimens, setting up the bird's home with proper fixtures and fittings, acclimating the bird to its new home, indoors or in an outdoor aviary, correct feeding, bathing, wing clipping, beak and nail trimming, observing and understanding cockatiel behavior, house training, voice training, dealing with problem behavior, breeding, exhibiting cockatiels in shows, and health care.

(back cover)
The cockatiel is one of the most popular of all pet birds, and has a well-deserved reputation for being easy to care for and fun to own. Cockatiels are small, they come in lots of different colors, and they love being with people, so it s no surprise that they have a worldwide fan club. This book tells you about cockatiels in their native habitat, describes the different colors and varieties that have been developed, and gives tailor-made advice on diet, care, and training. Perhaps best of all, it offers funny and heart-warming stories from cockatiel owners who describe what it s really like to live with a cockatiel. Lavishly illustrated, Living With A Cockatiel is a must-have book for every cockatiel enthusiast.

(flap copy)
Intelligent, lively, and beautiful to look at, the cockatiel is a great choice for first-time owners, and a fine bird for specialist breeders and exhibitors. The cockatiel is relatively easy to care for and immensely rewarding to own. These are birds with personality plus, and once a cockatiel has become part of the family, life will never be the same!

Living With A Cockatiel tells you where cockatiels came from and how they live in the wild. These small, colorful members of the parrot family have adapted exceptionally well to life as pets, and this book gives you detailed information on the colors and varieties to choose from, advice on the best age a cockatiel should be when purchased, and the pros and cons of choosing a male or a female.

Giving your pet cockatiel suitable housing is the first step in ensuring that the bird will thrive. A chapter devoted to preparing the best possible home for your cockatiel tells you the right equipment to buy. And because arriving at a new home can be stressful for the bird, you will also find detailed information on how to make the transition period as easy as possible.

Once your cockatiel is happily settled in its new home, it becomes your job to give the bird the very best care. Diet and health are closely related, and the chapter on healthy eating tells you everything you need to know about giving your cockatiel a balanced diet that meets all its needs. This book also presents a regime for daily and weekly care that ensures a clean, hygienic environment for your bird.

Cockatiels are among the most entertaining of all pet birds, and your enjoyment will be greatly enhanced if you know how your bird is feeling. This book provides comprehensive information on how a cockatiel sees the world, and offers tips on reading a cockatiel s behavior. A chapter that follows instructs on training your cockatiel, with guidance on teaching basic good manners and training your cockatiel to perform tricks. You ll even find information on teaching your cockatiel to talk, and to whistle your favorite tune. Despite the best care and training, a cockatiel might develop bad habits or become difficult to handle. You ll find specialist advice for virtually all behavior problems that might arise.

Those who want to breed and exhibit cockatiels will find information to help them understand the many details involved in this fascinating aspect of bird keeping. Finally, Neil Forbes, an internationally respected avian veterinarian, presents an authoritative chapter on health care, emergency care, and the most common diseases associated with cockatiels.

Neil Forbes is an RCVS and European Recognized Veterinary Specialist in bird medicine. He has contributed to many books and research papers. Neil is a Senior Lecturer at Bristol University in the U.K., and regularly lectures internationally. He is also an enthusiastic parrot keeper.