Parakeets

Rating:
Summary: 3 stars for the text, 4 stars for the photographs
Review: Like Julie Rach's book on budgies, Schneider and Vriends' PARAKEETS is a slim volume. However, this book is best used as a supplement to other resources, as it seems more geared to the person who wishes to show and breed budgies than to the general owner. Not much time is spent on the basics of parakeet ownership. Instead, this book excels at topics such as training, teaching your budgie to talk, breeding requirements, and how to recognize superior markings and kinds. The photographs and drawings of different parakeet varieties are well worth the purchase of this book. Schneider compares birds that, at first glance, look similiar but which are viewed much differently in the exhibition world. You'll see examples of opalines, lutinos, pieds, gray wings, cinnamons, and more. The most disturbingly titled section is called "Disposal of Surplus Budgies," included for the breeder. Fortunately, little time is spent on euthanasia for defective birds, and more on how to safely ship the babies to pet stores. My copy came with a printed ASPCA seal of approval on the front cover.

If you are considering breeding or showing parakeets, then you might want to buy this book as a primer for the process. Ordinary budgies owners might want to read it to learn more about their affectionate pets. If you want to buy only one book, however, don't make it this one.