Recommended Books
As a sponge for knowledge, I read every book about birds that I can find. Below is a list of books I recommend. If anyone is interested in obtaining a copy of any of the following, I will do my best to find one for you.
Coloured, Type & Song Canaries by Geoff Walker
The bible of canaries, containing every aspect of canary hobby, highly recommended.
Canaries and Related Birds by Horst Bielfeld 1988
A must have book with a gallery of 181 color and 22 black-and-white photos illustrate the many canary and other species discussed in this book. Translated from the German, it is still considered the most comprehensive to date. sections on care and breeding and advice from the author pertinent to the keeping and caring of each species. This book is no longer being printed.
Fundamentals of Color Genetics in Canaries: Reproduction and Control by Octavio Perez-Beato 2008
El Gran
Tenor: A Synthesis of Literature on the Spanish Timbrado Song Canary
by
This is only the second major work dedicated to this important race of canaries
written in English and the first to be published after the adoption of a very
important 2002 timbrado song code. All proceeds go to support the USTF and its
activities.
From the Preface: “El Gran Tenor is an attempt to survey some of the existing
literature on the Spanish timbrado song canary, particularly that in Spanish
which is less accessible, as well as to present it in a form which is helpful
and informative to English speaking breeders of this amazing songbird. Since the
breed is both old and new in a real sense, it is felt that an exploration of the
basic history of the timbrado is very important to understanding it as it exists
today. On the other hand, all positive steps forward in the development of the
race are also of the utmost importance. This brings us to the present, but what
of the future? At the moment there is at least some momentum behind an idea to
split the race into two. (…) Developments in the controversy surrounding this
issue will, no doubt, keep us on the edges of our seats for some time to come.”
Contents of the book:
Introduction/Share Your Canary Passion: What is important in canary keeping, if
it is to survive as we know it in the 21st century, is that the spark of passion
for the beauty of birds which has been handed down from the ancient cultures
must be passed on.
Chapter 1: The Logical Descendant A history of bird keeping, culminating with
the development of the song canary breeds.
Chapter 2: Song Direction A description and analysis of the various song
directions of the song canary breeds (hollow, watery, and metallic) accompanied
by diagrams.
Chapter 3: A Brief Sketch of the History of the Spanish Timbrado A discussion of
the domestication and development of the canary now called the Spanish timbrado,
including explorations of the “canary of the country”, the acceptance of the
timbrado on the world scene, and the spread of the timbrado to the US.
Chapter 4: How Timbrados Sing General discussions of the anatomy and physiology
of canary song, song learning in timbrados, song training with timbrados, and
the song tours of the breed as defined and described by the FOCDE and the FOE.
Chapter 5: The Timbrado Attic A collection of various treasures which include
specifics on how various tours are produced by the syrinx, the best shape for a
good timbrado, how to select and pair to achieve the best timbrado song, how to
improve the song of a line of timbrados by genetic means, the importance of
hormonal activity in the production of smooth song, and the use of the canary’s
“sing-hear-adjust” cycle (with or without tutors) to improve song quality.
Appendices The final section of the book is comprised of various important
writings on the timbrado, translated from Spanish or otherwise. The highlights
of this section include a current and very detailed timbrado song code and an
analysis of the movement toward a redefinition of the timbrado as two distinct
types. There is also a brief basic canary care guide.
The Goldfinch by Natale and Pidala
‘The Goldfinch’ is a unique monograph dedicated to the Goldfinch. The book containing more than 300 professional full colour high quality images was written by two world experts in bird breeding and bird watching: Dr. Massimo Natale and Engineer Leone Giuliano Pidala.
The book covers all aspects of the Goldfinch: a description of the bird and various methods of sexing, the nominal race carduelis carduelis (more commonly referred to as the European goldfinch or Eurasian Goldfinch) and the various sub-species (carduelis carduelis britannica, tschusii, parva, balcanica, niediecki, brevirostris, major also know as Siberian Goldfinch or Major Goldfinch) detailing the differences between the various sub-species. The book then goes on to describe in detail the breeding techniques: breeding set-ups indoors/outdoors, cages and aviaries, accessories, lighting, nutrition and methods of preparation of the different food involved. This chapter also covers disease prevention and control. The following chapter then gives detailed information for every stage involved in the breeding process: from pairing up to moulting of youngsters. An account of the whole process involved in breeding these birds is given based on many years of experience after having trialled various methods.
Details include: Pairing up, introducing the nest pans, Nest building, Egg management, Incubation, Candling, Problems and possible solutions from the nest building phase till hatching, Feeding during the various stages of rearing, Frequency of inspections and care of nestlings, Foster hens, Considerations on the presence of Canaries in Goldfinch breeding rooms, their utility and immunological factors, Problems and possible solutions in the first week of life, management of the various stages of life of the youngsters: the second week of life (7th - 14th day), the third week of life (14th - 21st day), the fourth week of life (21st - 28th day), separation of the young ones and weaning, moulting, the winter rest period, feeding plan for the breeding period.
The last two chapters cover the various mutations established to date in the goldfinch and recommended pairings and their outcome, plus mules and hybrids involving the goldfinch.
Undoubtedly this book is unrivalled by no other publication in the sector of avian publications and is a must have book for every bird enthusiast. Thousands of copies have already been sold in 3 different languages. The book is now finally professionally translated into English in order to match the high demand by international readers for this version.
World of Zebra Finches by Cyril Rogers