Cockatiels for Dummies. (For Dummies)

Natural-born charmers, cockatiels are small colorful parrots native to the Australian desert. When raised by people, they’re usually calm and cuddly and have an inquisitive, adventurous disposition. Cockatiels are just large enough to be handled easily, but they’re not so big that they require a great deal of space in your home. And while the cockatiel’s gentle nature and captivating personality encourage you to form close and lasting relationships with them, taking one into your life brings with it a host of specific requirements and responsibilities that you really need to be aware of before you take the leap into being a cockatiel owner.

Written by a leading national expert on companion birds and a lifelong cockatiel owner and breeder, Cockatiels For Dummies is your total guide to adopting, caring for, and forming a loving relationship with one or more of these diminutive parrots. It gets you up to speed on how to:

• Decide if a cockatiel is right for you and your family
• Select a healthy cockatiel
• Provide a suitable indoor environment
• Supply a satisfying and nutritious diet for your pet
• Train your cockatiel
• Communicate with your bird through body language
• Interpret your bird’s moods
• Breed cockatiels for fun and profit

Author Diane Grindol provides loads of sensible, easy-to-follow advice along with fun facts, trivia, amusing and informative anecdotes, and tips on how to have a great time with your feathered friend. Among other important topics, she fills you in on what you need to know about:

• The pros and cons of pet stores versus breeders when choosing a cockatiel
• Assessing a bird’s health and disposition and getting a health guarantee
• Feeding, grooming, caring for, and socializing your pet
• Exercising your cockatiel
• Training your bird to be a great companion
• Keeping your little pal happy and healthy for life

A fun guide for you and your cockatiel, Cockatiels For Dummies is the only book you’ll need to help you have the best possible experience with this smart, perky, incredibly loveable avian breed.

"Cockatiels For Dummies covers all aspects of cockatiels, focusing on how to feed, house, and train them. Plus, you'll get great advice on dealing with the cockatiel's sometimes puzzling behavior — particularly breeding/nesting behavior. You can count on this friendly guide for tips on how to have a great relationship with your cockatiel.

Offers advice on handling, feeding, caring for, taming, breeding, and training cockatiels.

Find out about raising and living with your pet cockatiel

The information you need to enjoy your cockatiel The cockatiel's gentle nature and captivating personality encourage you to form close and lasting relationships with these diminutive members of the parrot family. With tips on dealing with the cockatiel's breeding and nesting behaviors to advice on feeding, housing, and training, this useful guide will have you singing for more.

Discover how to: Select a healthy cockatiel Provide a suitable indoor environment Supply a satisfying and nutritious diet Train your cockatiel Communicate through body language Interpret your bird's moods

The Dummies Way(TM) Explanations in plain English "Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun

Get smart! www.dummies.com Attention pet owners! Get free Dummies Daily(TM) e-mail newsletters Sign up for tips on a variety of pets Keep your pet healthy and content - the Dummies Way(TM)

Diane Grindol is a columnist for Bird Talk magazine. She holds educational seminars for companion bird owners and speaks regularly at bird clubs and avian events throughout the United States.

Introduction.

PART I: So You Think You'll Get a Cockatiel.

Chapter 1: Living with a Personable Pet Cockatiel.

Chapter 2: Choosing Your Own Cockatiel.

PART II: Cockatiel Care.

Chapter 3: Home Tweet Home.

Chapter 4: Eating Like a Bird.

Chapter 5: Getting Things for Your Cockatiel.

Chapter 6: Trimming and Grooming.

Chapter 7: Freedom! Time Outside the Cage.

Chapter 8: Vacationing with or without Your Cockatiel.

PART III: Behavior and Training.

Chapter 9: Understanding Normal Cockatiel Behaviors.

Chapter 10: Training Your Cockatiel to Be an Outstanding Companion.

Chapter 11: What to Do about Problem Behaviors.

PART IV: Keeping Cockatiels Healthy.

Chapter 12: Coming to the Rescue.

Chapter 13: Lifelong Health Care.

PART V: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 14: Ten Mistakes That Spoil Cockatiel Ownership.

Chapter 15: Ten New Year's Resolutions.

Index.

Book Registration Information.