This plain-English guide helps readers find the right parakeet and offers expert advice on feathering his nest, from setting up the cage and selecting foods to keeping messes at bay. Readers will discover how to groom a parakeet, recognize the symptoms of illness, and keep a parakeet safe from other pets. They will also see how to teach a parakeet to talk, understand parakeet behavior, and find an avian veterinarian.The author, Nikki Moustaki is very knowlegable about these wonderful birds. This book starts off with one of my pet peeves - giving the name American Parakeet to the sweet little Australian Budgie or Budgerigar. They are not American birds at all - although they certainly are one of many different parakeets. The author, Nikki Moustaki is very knowlegable about these wonderful birds. She gives excellent advice on deciding if a budgie is right for your home. Throughout the book, markings in the margins indicate interesting and helpful tips, warnings and reminders. The chapter "Polly Want a Cracker?" has excellent advice on feeding your budgie. Of course variety is essential and Nikki gives a great list of foods to provide interest and variety. The chapter "Come Here Often?" provides great information to help you understand common budgie behaviours, including some problem behaviours. The author also provides great taming and training advice here. It is obvious while reading this book that Nikki Moustaki loves these little birds. She talks about her own Parakeets/Budgies as examples, telling us what they enjoy. This is a great book for beginners and even experienced budgie owners may find information that they didn't know before.
