It may be instinctive to think of a canary when the topic of songbirds in cages comes up. However, in the songbird world there are many other small birds or finches with singing abilities that rival or surpass a canary. Few birds can match the whistling ability of a Lesser Seed Finch or Large-billed Seed Finch but these birds are not well known around the world. This book discusses the hobby of keeping songsters in cages and aviaries, and puts the spotlight on some South American finches whose whistling prowess has made them attractive to hobbyists. It explores the hobby of catching and taming songsters as an important aspect of national culture in many countries. Preparing the birds for song competitions and the value of great songsters are also explored. The book also offers insight on planning and building an outdoor aviary, and valuable information on plant selection, bird compatibility and breeding. Throughout the book many beautiful color photographs complement each discussion section.
It may be instinctive to think of a canary when the topic of songbirds in cages comes up. However, in the songbird world there are many other small birds or finches with singing abilities that rival or surpass a canary. Few birds can match the whistling ability of a Lesser Seed Finch or Large-billed Seed Finch but these birds are not well known around the world. This book discusses the hobby of keeping songsters in cages and aviaries, and puts the spotlight on some South American finches whose whistling prowess has made them attractive to hobbyists. It explores the hobby of catching and taming songsters as an important aspect of national culture in many countries. Preparing the birds for song competitions and the value of great songsters are also explored. The book also offers insight on planning and building an outdoor aviary, and valuable information on plant selection, bird compatibility and breeding. Throughout the book many beautiful color photographs complement each discussion section.
