9781422280935

Understanding and Caring for Your Pet

Parakeets

Understanding and Caring for Your Pet

Parakeets

Written by Catherine Smith

Mason Crest 450 Parkway Drive, Suite D Broomall, PA 19008 www.masoncrest.com Developed and produced by Mason Crest

© 2017 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the publisher.

Printed and bound in the United States of America

First printing 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Series ISBN: 978-1-4222-3691-8 ISBN: 978-1-4222-3701-4 ebook ISBN: 978-1-4222-8093-5

Every reasonable care has been taken in the compilation of this publication. The Publisher and Author cannot accept liability for any loss, damage, injury, or death resulting from the keeping of parakeets by user(s) of this publication, or from the use of any materials, equipment, methods, or information recommended in this publication or from any errors or omissions that may be found in the text of this publication or that may occur at a future date, except as expressly provided by law. No animals were harmed in the making of this book. You may gain access to certain third party content (“Third Party Sites”) by scanning and using the QR Codes that appear in this publication (the “QR Codes”). We do not operate or control in any respect any information, products or services on such Third Party Sites linked to by us via the QR Codes included in this publication, and we assume no responsibility for any materials you may access using the QR Codes. Your use of the QR Codes may be subject to terms, limitations, or restrictions set forth in the applicable terms of use or otherwise established by the owners of the Third Party Sites. Our linking to such Third Party Sites via the QR Codes does not imply an endorsement or sponsorship of such Third Party Sites, or the information, products or services offered on or through the Third Party Sites, nor does it imply an endorsement or sponsorship of this publication by the owners of such Third Party Sites. Words in bold are explained in the glossary on page 127. QR CODES AND LINKS TO THIRD PARTY CONTENT

Understanding and Caring for Your Pet

Guinea Pigs Hamsters Kittens Parakeets

Aquarium Cats Dog Training

Ferrets Gerbils Goldfish

Puppies Rabbits

Educational Videos: Readers can view videos by scanning our QR codes, providing them with additional educational content to supplement the text. Examples include news coverage, moments in history, speeches, iconic moments, and much more!

Words to Understand: These words with their easy-to-understand definitions will increase the reader’s understanding of the text, while building vocabulary skills.

Perfect pets.  08 Special requirements.  12 Where do parakeets come from? .  16 Becoming pets.  20 What’s in a name?.  26 New colors.  28 General appearance.  32 Body language.  40 Parakeet colors.  50 Important considerations.  58 Buying a parakeet.  64 Parakeet health check.  68 Setting up home .  72 Feeding parakeets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Settling in.  88 Establishing a routine.  94 Preventative health care . 100 Health problems. 110 Common ailments. 118 Find out more / Words to understand. 126 Index. 128 Contents

Perfect Pets

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Perfect Pets Parakeets are the most popular of all the types of pet birds, and it is easy to see why. and, as long as they have periods when they can exercise, they will not notice whether they are living in a high-rise apartment or in a country mansion. • There are more than 100 different colors to choose from, so there are colors and markings to suit all tastes. • With patience, parakeets can become very tame and are easy to handle. • They are social animals that enjoy company—both avian and human—but they can still be kept if you are out at work during the day. • If you suffer from an allergy caused by animal fur, you may well find that you can live with a feathered friend. • Parakeets are small and so they do not need spa- cious accommodation. They can be housed in a cage

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Parakeets

• However, it is important to check this out with your doctor before embarking on parakeet ownership. • Parakeets have a good life expectancy of seven to eight years—and many live for longer. The world record for the oldest parakeet goes to Charlie, who lived for an amazing 29 years and two months! • Parakeets are great pets for children. They are highly entertaining and will teach youngsters the responsibilities involved in caring for animals. • They are also great pets for those getting on in years as they do not demand physical exertion in terms of needing to be exercised. • Best of all, parakeets are great

communicators and you can form a real bond with your parakeet. He may even learn to talk to you!

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Special Requirements

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Special Requirements Parakeets are easy to care for, but like all animals they have their own special needs. If you take on a parakeet, it is your responsibility to give him everything he needs. This includes: • Providing a cage that is big enough for the number of birds you are keeping, and is equipped with suitable perches. • Feeding the correct diet, which must include all the elements of nutrition that will keep your parakeet healthy. • Keeping the cage very clean. This will require daily attention and a thorough clean out once a week. • Checking your parakeet on a routine basis to ensure he is fit and healthy.

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Parakeets