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Bird and Finch Books

Cannon, M. J. (1996). Basic health and disease in birds. New South Wales, Australia: Australian Birdkeeper. [1]

Harrison, G. J., & Harrison, L. R. (1986). Clinical avian medicine and surgery. Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders Company. [2]

Hoefer, H. L. (Ed.). (1997). Practical avian medicine. Trenton, NJ: Veterinary Learning Systems. [3]

Klasing, K. C. (2000). Comparaive avian nutrition. New York, NY: CABI Publishing. [26]

Olsen, G. H., & Orosz, S. E. (2000). Manual of avian medicine. St. Louis, MO: Mosby, Inc. [16]

Quinn, P. J., & Markey, B. K. (2001). Disinfection and disease prevention in veterinary medicine. In S. S. Block (Ed.), Disinfection, sterilization, and preservation (5th ed.) (pp. 1069-1104). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. [4]

Ritchie, B. W., Harrison, G. J., & Harrison, L. R. (1994). Avian medicine: Principles and application. Lake Worth, FL: Wingers Publishing. [5]

Rosskopf, W. J., & Woerpel, R. W. (Eds.). (1996). Diseases of cage and aviary birds (3rd ed.). Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins. [6]

Rupley, A. E. (1997). Manual of avian practice Philadelphia, PA: Saunders. [17]

Tully, T. N., Lawton, M. P. C., & Dorrestein, G. M. (Eds.). (2000). Avian medicine. Oxford: Butterworth Heinemann. [7]

Whittow, G. C. (Ed.). (2000). Sturkie's avian physiology (5th ed.). San Diega, CA: Academic Press. [18]

Alderton, D. (1988). A birdkeeper's guide to finches. Blacksburg, VA: Tetra Press. [8]

Bird, D. M. (1999). The bird almanac. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. [9]

Blazey, P. S. (1991). The proper care of finches. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H. Publications. [10]

Gallerstein, G. A. (1984). Bird owner's home health and care handbook. New York, NY: Howell Book House. [24]

Gallerstein, G. A. (1994). The complete bird owner's handbook. New York, NY: Howell Book House. [25]

Goodwin, D. (1982). Estrildid finches of the world. Ithica, NY: Cornell University Press. [23]

Harman, I., & Vriends, M. M. (1978). All about finches and related seed-eating birds. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H. Publications. [11]

Immelmann, K. (1965). Australian finches. Sydney, Australia: Halstead Press. [22]

Kelsey-Wood, D. (1994). Finches as a hobby. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H. Publications. [12]

Koepff, C. (1984). The new finch handbook. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational Series. [13]

Larosa, D. (1973). How to build everything you need for your birds. Simi Valley, CA: LaRosa Publications. [19]

Marshall, R., Lewis, M., Tristram, R., Martin, T. (2005). Gouldian finches and their mutations, revised edition. New South Wales, Australia: Australian Birdkeeper. [20]

Mobbs, A. J. (1990). The complete book of Australian finches. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H. Publications. [14]

Restall, R. (1996). Munias and mannikins. Sussex, England: Pica Press. [21]

Vriends, M. M. (1991). Gouldian finches. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational Series. [15]

1. Basic Health & Disease in Birds by Dr. Michael J. Cannon

Annotation - Recommended Book Covers topics concerning bird health including, but not limited to, diseases (infectious, non-infectious, viral, bacterial illness), nutritional problems, parasites, and cures (if any). Easy-to-read and in many cases applies to finches, although it appears to focus on hookbills. Very basic medical reference; recommended if you cannot obtain a veterinary medical text. It is a paperback, 96 pages, inexpensive.

2. Clinical Avian Medicine and Surgery by Greg Harrison, DVM

Annotation This book has 717 pages divided into 53 chapters that cover a broad range of topics of interest to the avian veterinarian. Many of the chapters include useful information for aviculturists as well, such as husbandry practices, evaluation of droppings, therapeutics, nutritional, viral, and bacterial diseases, parasites, and aviculture management. Unfortunately all of the photographs in this book are black & white and this book is somewhat dated. Hardback, may be a bit pricey.

3. Practical Avian Medicine by Heidi Hoefer, DVM

Annotation - Recommended Book This relatively inexpensive veterinary medical text is filled with specific information about selected clinical issues. It is not a general text that covers a little bit about every topic; rather this "collection is designed to offer readers a succinct approach to pertinent issues in avian medicine and surgery." Articles include: avian cardiovascular & GI anatomy, emergency care for egg binding, avian zoonoses, avian dermatology, and avian mites. Recommended, paperback, 240 pages.

4. Disinfection, Sterilization, and Preservation (5th ed.) by Seymour Block, Ph.D.

Annotation Although reading 1481 pages on disinfectants and all of the chemistry involved in their mechanisms and activities may not sound particularly riveting, this book thankfully has an entire chapter dedicated to "Disinfection and Disease Prevention in Veterinary Medicine" (Ch. 54) which is highly applicable to aviculturists, and is easy to read. Therefore if you are able to find a copy of this book, please refer to pages 1069-1104 to answer any of your questions about disinfectants and their uses. Hardback, expensive.

5. Avian Medicine: Principles and Application by Branson Ritchie, DVM, Ph.D.

Annotation - Recommended Book If you buy just one avian veterinary medical text, I recommend that you get this one. Although it may be a bit expensive, it covers so many topics in detail that it is well worth its cost. Examples of topics include: evaluating and treating problems, nutritional requirements and knowledge (including malnutrition and clinical conditions associated with it), evaluating droppings (including color photographs), bacteria, parasites, toxins, and so forth. This book includes many descriptive color photographs and even has an entire 28 page section dedicated just to passeriformes (the order of birds to which finches belong). The passeriformes section includes anatomy & physiology, avicultural considerations, and diseases. Hardback, 1384 pages.

6. Diseases of Cage and Aviary Birds (3rd ed.) by Walter Rosskopf, DVM

Annotation This 1088 page avian veterinary medical text focuses largely on psittacine species (parrots), but does have sections dedicated to canaries & finches as well as wild passerines. Other presented topics include: caging and environment, nutrition, emergency medicine, various diseases and disorders (including digestive, reproductive, toxic, traumatic, viral, bacterial, fungal, and so forth), and anatomy. Hardback, moderately expensive.

7. Avian Medicine by Thomas Tully, DVM
	Annotation This fairly expensive text does not go into any great detail about any topic, although it does cover basic anatomy, physiology, and nutrition, and it does contain a somewhat scant section on passerines and exotic softbills. Hardback, 411 pages.

8. A Birdkeeper's Guide to Finches by David Alderton

Annotation This little 117 paged book features beautiful color photographs and a fairly extensive species section which briefly describes the distribution, size, diet, sexing, and compatibility of many finch species. Unfortunately because this is not a medical text, the advice presented in it related to nutrition and illness is often misleading or incorrect and should not be considered reliable. Hardback.

9. The Bird Almanac by David Bird, Ph.D.

Annotation This book is a fun reference text compiled from a vast scope of interesting facts and figures related to the birds of the world. Although it does not offer much by way of advice for husbandry practices and so forth, it is a book to look in if you want to know the approximate total plasma protein ratio in a crow, or the frequency range of the robin's song signal. Paperback, 460 pages (several of which are duplicates, perhaps due to a printing error--at least in my copy of this book).

10. The Proper Care of Finches by Phillip St. Blazey
Annotation Wonderful photos fill up most of the book, leaving little-to-no room for information, so unfortunately this book is fairly basic. Poor coverage on health matters, with a scant description of many finch species. Hardback, 256 pages.

11. All about Finches and Related Seed-eating Birds by Ian Harman
	Annotation Copyrighted in 1978, this book contains mostly black and white photos. It is fairly informative, and covers over 100 species, separating them into categories: true finches, buntings, cardinals, weavers, waxbills, etc. Unfortunately because this is not a medical text, the advice presented in it related to nutrition should not be considered reliable. It is a hardback, 224 pages long.

12. Finches as a Hobby by Dennis Kelsey-Wood
Annotation Covers cages & aviaries, breeding, exhibition, health care, and general descriptions of popular finch species. Very nice color photos, paperback, 98 pages, but not very detailed. Also, because this is not a medical text, the advice presented in it related to nutrition should not be considered reliable.

13. The New Finch Handbook by Christa Koepff

Annotation - Recommended Book Detailed examination of 60 finch species, including physical description, distribution and habitat, habits, requirements in captivity, food, and breeding. Also covers other topics including anatomy, housing, and breeding. Although basic health and nutrition are also presented, these topics are better explored in an avian veterinary medical text. Paperback, 134 pages, beautiful color pictures & nice drawings.

14. The Complete Book of Australian Finches by A.J. Mobbs

Annotation Literally covers everything from Accommodation to Zebra Finch, including (but not limited to) exhibiting finches, line breeding, live food, etc. Contains a little bit about everything one needs to know about Australian finches and their care, but is not very detailed in many cases, and information presented on diet is not always reliable. Gorgeous color pictures, and some nice black and white ones. Hardback, 144 pages.

15. Gouldian Finches by Matthew M. Vriends, Ph.D.

Annotation Although this book claims that it covers everything about purchase, housing, care, nutrition, breeding, and diseases, one can easily make the argument that everything about all of those topics cannot possibly be covered in its mere 80 pages. The photographs are vibrant, although the "diluted yellow gouldian" pictured on the upper right hand corner of p. 28 is unnatural and unrealistic. This book does feature genetics & matings lists, but unfortunately the genetics for some of the head colors appear to be incorrect & misleading. Additionally because this is not a medical text, much of the advice presented in it related to health and nutrition should not be considered reliable. Paperback.

16. Manual of Avian Medicine by Glenn H. Olsen, DVM, PhD
Annotation - Recommended Book This veterinary medical text covers many aspects of avian medicine, including: dermatology, behavior problems, neurologic problems, reproductive disorders, abnormal droppings, neonatal complications, toxicology, nutrition, parasitism, necropsies, and much more. It is written in an easy-to-follow outline format. Paperback, 622 pages.

17. Manual of Avian Practice by Agnes E. Rupley, DVM, ABVP

Annotation - Recommended Book This book is written for veterinarians (including information such as "how to take a history and do a physical exam," but has a lot of useful information which pet bird owners may find useful. Topics covered include: evaluation of droppings, laboratory diagnostics, nutrition, home care, signs of illness (general, respiratory, gastrointestinal, ophthalmic, neurologic, musculoskeletal, dermatologic), common diseases and treatments, necropsy (including egg necropsy), aviculture (aviary management), pediatrics, safe and toxic plants list. Paperback, 556 pages, sparse pictures (mostly black and white).

18. Sturkie's Avian Physiology by G. Causey Whittow

Annotation This book contains some very detailed information about topics which are very specific to avian physiology. The subjects are pretty dry and may be most useful for researchers working with birds. It covers vision, hearing, chemical senses, the spinal cord, motor control, the avian nervous system, skeletal muscle, cardiovascular system, respiration, flight, energy balance, regulation of body temperature, endocrinology, reproduction, incubation, growth and development, etc. Unfortunately some topics of interest do not appear to be covered, such as passive immunity transfer to the chick. Something as fundamental as this should be included in a book dedicated to avian physiology, though I was not able to find it while reading through the index or the section on immunophysiology, for example. Hardback, 685 pages.

19. How to Build Everything You Need for Your Birds by Don Larosa

Annotation - Recommended Book This little book is designed more like a pamphlet--stapled together instead of bound. It covers everything from building nestboxes to building "all weather" outdoor aviaries, as well as information on how to wire the aviary for light and power. It is important to keep in mind that although most of the construction recommends using wood, wood is impossible to disinfect. This means that if you decide to build a "hospital cage" out of wood as described in this book, you cannot reuse the hospital cage unless other measures are taken to "seal" the wood so that the surfaces inside the cage may be disinfected. Drawings are fairly easy to follow and understand. Paperback, 55 pages.

20. Gouldian Finches and Their Mutations (Revised Edition) by Dr. Rob Marshall

Annotation - Recommended Book This book contains information applicable to the Lady Gouldian Finch: wild populations, captive housing and breeding, and mutations (including many "new" and "controversial" mutations). I recommend ignoring the section on "nutrition" entirely since better information is available through veterinary medical texts. Additionally, the genetics section unfortunately states "not enough is known at this time" when describing the mechanism which produces many of the newer colorations. The section on health and disease may be applicable to many species of finches. Lots of color photographs. Paperback, 160 pages.

21. Munias and Mannikins by Robin Restall

Annotation - Recommended Book Detailed examination of about 40 finch species within the genus Lonchura, with field notes including physical description, distribution and habitat, habits, food, and breeding. This is a very interesting read for owners of Lonchura spp. who would like to learn more about how their birds behave in the wild. Some information on captive behavior is available for a few of the species. The paintings are very helpful in showing which birds belong to which species. Paperback, 134 pages, beautiful color paintings (no photos) & nice drawings.

22. Australian Finches by Klaus Immelmann

Annotation - Recommended Book Although a somewhat old text (copyright 1965), this book provides plenty of detail about australian finches, including: description, distribution, field notes, wild food and feeding habits, calls, courtship and mating, nesting, breeding, social activities, and aviary notes such as housing, captive feeding and breeding, and extensive lists of hybirds which have occurred between species. Hardback, 196 pages, illustrated.

23. Estrildid Finches of the World by Derek Goodwin

Annotation - Recommended Book Written by an ornithologist, this text covers Estrildidae nomenclature, distribution, coloration, nestling mouth patterns, biology, plumage, species behavior (including feeding habits, preening, parental care, display, voice), as well as some advice for keeping the different species. The estrildid group of finches includes Australian firetails and grassfinches, African waxbills and firefinches, munias, avadavats, and parrot finches. Hardback, 328 pages, pretty color paintings (no photos) & a few drawings.

24. Bird Owner's Home Health and Care Handbook by Gary A. Gallerstein, D.V.M.

Annotation This book is written by a veterinarian and covers basic, general information for the benefit of bird owners. Although this is not a medical text nor written specifically about finches, it is an easy-to-understand reference which covers a wide range of topics related to caring for birds, including: new bird purchase and acclimatization to your home, housing recommendations, feeding tips, basic anatomy and physiology, how to recognize a sick bird, a list of common poisonous plants and other household toxins, first aid and home medical care, basic information on various diseases and disorders, tips for transporting birds, breeding recommendations, and information for attracting wild birds to your back yard. Hardback, 292 pages, line drawings and black-and-white photos.

25. The Complete Bird Owner's Handbook by Gary A. Gallerstein, D.V.M.

Annotation This book appears to be a revised and updated version of the Bird Owner's Home Health and Care Handbook (by the same author). Written by a veterinarian, this text covers general information for the benefit of bird owners. Although this is not a medical text nor written specifically about finches, it is an easy-to-understand reference which covers a wide range of topics related to caring for birds, including: new bird purchase and acclimatization to your home, housing recommendations, feeding tips (including recipes to try at home), basic anatomy and physiology, how to recognize a sick bird, a handy index of symptoms of illness and other problems, first aid and home medical care, basic information on various diseases and disorders, and more. Hardback, 320 pages, illustrations and some black-and-white photos.

26. Comparative Avian Nutrition by Kirk C. Klasing
Annotation In-depth information is provided in this book, covering the nutritional and physiological topics of: dietary patterns, anatomy and physiology of the digestive system, the digestion of food, nutritional strategies and adaptations, nutrient requirements, amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, energy, minerals, and vitamins.