My First Book Has Arrived

[lovezebs]

w.l.

Trollope's book is very informative about many different species.

I would however improve on it, by adding colour photos of the species he writes about, infront of each segment.

I found, that I'd be reading about a particular bird, and would have to jump to my tablet and google it, to see what it looks like, which is distracting.

A quick question.

Have you noticed that in several books, they recommend offering one's birds soil, or forest soil. Do you offer soil to any of your birds?
I had considered it, but was conflicted about the notion, worrying of what might be introduced to the flights. Or, I wonder if I should be looking at organic soil (?)

No other books have made an appearance thus far. Perhaps later on in the week.

[w.l.]

I only give grit to my birds.
I'd worry about offering possible polluted/infected soil.

[w.l.]

lovezebs

Those last two just don't turn up?

[lovezebs]

w.l.

Yea, I know.

They should have been here on the 24th, but so far nothing.

[w.l.]

Books do get lost in shipping occasionally, in which case you can claim a refund or replacement. Check!
I'd say Bates' book is no huge loss, but Verhoef's would be a pity not to get.

[lovezebs]

w.l.

I was just thinking the same thing myself.
If nothing arrives this week, I will most definitely get in touch with them.
I'm hoping that it's just running late.

[w.l.]

When I saw you replied, I was hoping to read that Verhoef has arrived!

Mind you, those 2 books were predicted to arrive latest, so they may still do.
I have occasionally had books arrive way after the predicted delivery time... Sometimes even well after I had already received a refund for their non-arrival!
Some sellers just don't seem to know hiw to ship internationally, or how long it really takes.

[GouldieFledge]

lovezebs marymac isobea inlovesorange wildbird w.l.


Well, you're all about the best/WORST influences ever! After reading these book threads, nostalgia got the best of me and I just had to start compiling a purchase list. I too used to be an avid reader back as a child, but time and technology took ahold of me...

Funny, the Barron's Gouldian book REALLY brought me back to being a kid, as we had this handbook for our goulds (whom I cannot even recall/picture now, yet I remember the book nonetheless...)

Ellen (or anyone else with information): What are your thoughts on the Barron's Parrotlet book, as far as the edition goes? I see there's an original and a new edition--I'd rather get the older one, if it's more organized as the New Finch Handbook seems to be, based on user reviews. Your post has me intrigued on the species.

[GouldieFledge]

lovezebs marymac isobea inlovesorange w.l.

Here's the list I have going in Amazon so far.

Definites:
--Complete Encyclopedia of Cage and Aviary Birds, Esther Verhoef
--Finches & Sparrows: An Identification Guide, Peter Clement
--Hancock House Encyclopedia of Estrildid Finches, Matthew Vriends
--The New Finch Handbook (1st ed.), Christina Koepff
--The Care and Breeding of Seedeating Birds: Finches and Allied Species--Doves, Quail, and Hemipodes, Jeffrey Trollope (though I noticed another version of this w/different cover and slightly re-worded...any advice on this?)

On the Fence:
--Estrildid Finches of the World, Derek Goodwin
--A Birdkeeper's Guide to Finches, David Alderton
--Finches and Softbilled Birds, Hank Bates
--The Parrotlet Handbook (1st ed.), Matthew M. Vriends, Ph.D (I actually do intend to purchase, just unsure which edition)
--The Finch: A Breeder's Companion, Russell Kingston (expensive, hard to find)

Looks likes I've got a solid FINCHforum stater-pack, haha. I would LOVE to have one of those German beauties though...drool...

[w.l.]

GouldieFledge

I'd say the first list is excellent, covering mostly must-buys, while the second one is indeed optional.
Though I'd say Trollope's book is also optional.
If money is no objection, get them all!

The German books are of such high quality though, with the two-volume Prachtfinken (Estrildid Finches) one surpassing anything in English on those birds by such a very long shot, that they'd almost be worth signing up for language classes for!

[lovezebs]

GouldieFledge & w.l.

I am still awaiting the two books that I ordered quite a while ago....

Finch and Softbill Birds by: Hank Bates
Complete Encyclopedia of Cage and Aviary Birds by: Esther Veroef- Verhallen

I ordered them through Amazon.ca, but from Brit Books Xpress, and I must say, I probably wouldn't order from them again.

These books should have arrived at the latest by Jan 24th, and are still not here.
I have been in touch with them, and the answer was, that once they ship them, it's basically out of their hands. They are blaming the delay on the holidays, and on Canada Post .

If there were delays due to these excuses, then how come my other books arrived in fairly decent time (some from England as well...). I am not pleased.

Since then, I've ordered 2 more books....

-New Softbill Handbook, by: Steinigeweg
-Cage and Aviary Birds, by: Richard Martin

I wonder if these latest will arrive before the other two, lol.

[w.l.]

--The Finch: A Breeder's Companion, Russell Kingston (expensive, hard to find)

Should you decide to get it, it's available here:

https://www.andrewisles.com/all-stock/p ... -companion

A very reliable seller I have ordered from several times.
Note that the price in in AU$, in US$ it's ca $100 + shipping!

I have already splurged on that two volume German Estrildid encyclopedia, which cost nearly this much per volume, so I have this put on hold.

[w.l.]

lovezebs

Were the two books ordered and shipped together?
Then they may have got lost, or delayed together.
If orders on Amazon don't arrive by the given deadline, you are usually entitled for a refund, which you should claim via Your Orders page on Amazon. No need to argue with the actual seller. Look into this.
And of course choose other sellers next time!

I have The New Softbill Handbook.
It's got good general info on keeping softbills, but details few individual species.
And even on those, the details are nithing like in The New Finch Handbook.
In any case, nice to see you are developing an interest in softbills?
I can only recommend white-eyes most highly as perfect first softbills!
I have also put together a Softbills booklist on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wish ... pdp_new_wl

I don't know the other book.

[lovezebs]

w.l.

One book was ordered Dec 30th, the second on Jan 01. Both were shipped on Jan 02, but not sure if they shipped them together or seperately.

That's a nice list that you have there.
Not all of them are available on Amazon.ca

Regarding the Softbills, the ones that really interest me are the Tanagers. I find most of them extremely attractive, and would love to be able to have a collection of them. However, just like those lovely Aviaries........

[w.l.]

lovezebs

You know that you can order books on amazon.com to your Canadian address, too? And they often have a better selection and lower prices, even with shipping. Just be sure to pick a seller who ships internationally, not just domestically. Not all sellers of 2nd hand books do.
If you were to get one more softbill book, get Vince's. This is one of those titles with much cheaper copies on the US than on the Canadian site.

As for tanagiers, they are expensive.
But at least they are available over there.
Wild-caught neotropical birds almost never make it here, except for Amazon parrots very occasionally.