Birds For Dummies

Introduction 1

Part 1: Getting Started with Birds 5

Chapter 1: Birds and Humans: It's Only Natural! 7

Chapter 2: Narrowing the Choices 19

Chapter 3: Deciding on a Bird of Your Own 47

Part 2: Caring for Your Bird 63

Chapter 4: Preparing for Your Bird's Arrival 65

Chapter 5: Starting Your Bird Off Right 85

Chapter 6: The New Art, Science, and Fun of Feeding Birds Right 107

Chapter 7: Beyond Food and Water: Bird Basics 129

Part 3: Keeping Your Bird Healthy 161

Chapter 8: How Birds Work: The Short Course 163

Chapter 9: A Preventive Care Approach to Your Bird's Health 183

Chapter 10: Your Bird in Sickness - and Back to Health 201

Chapter 11: Lifelong Care for Your Bird 225

Part 4: Living Happily with Your Bird 243

Chapter 12: Behavior 101: Getting to "Good Bird!" 245

Chapter 13: Living in a Multiple-Bird Household 267

Chapter 14: Caring for Chickens and Other Backyard Poultry 283

Part 5: The Part of Tens 311

Chapter 15: Ten Bird Myths Debunked 313

Chapter 16: Ten Steps to a Healthy Bird 321

Chapter 17: Ten Questions to Ask When Buying a Bird 331

Chapter 18: Ten (Or So) Must-See Avian Websites 341

Chapter 19: Ten Best Birds for Beginners 349

Chapter 20: Ten Common Dangers to Your Bird's Life 363

Chapter 21: Ten Disaster-Planning Tips for Bird Lovers 371

Appendix: Resources 377

Index 387