Description
Authored by a founding member, and former Patron of the Queensland Finch Society, this companion is considered the masterpiece of the late Russell Kingston OAM. It surpassed all his efforts to date and is, without a doubt, the most comprehensive resource on captive seed-eaters in Australia, if not the world. The cover depicts Russell’s favourite finch, the European Goldfinch.
Unlike his previous books, the intended audience includes finch breeders from around the world—in particular South Africa, Asia, Europe and, of course, Australia.
THE FINCH…A Breeder’s Companion takes the reader on a journey covering 70 species with the aid of 400 colour plates. Species that are closely related are treated separately but are grouped together in chapters.
Besides specific species information, there are also comprehensive chapters on:
Distribution and Habitat in the Wild • Housing • Sexing • Management • Diet • Showing • Behavior • Health Issues • Availability • Mutations/Hybrids – Besides specific species information there are also comprehensive chapters on • Avian Health • Housing • Starting • Nutrition • Breeding • Conservation
What sets this 528-page book apart from others is the individual focus extended to each bird group. Russell provides the reader with his own honest experiences with each bird, highlighting not only his successes but also his mistakes and set-backs. This trait distinguishes THE FINCH… A Breeder’s Companion from many other books on aviculture that can sometimes be repetitive and generic in style. This book is a must read for beginners to aviculture and experienced aviculturists alike. To the very experienced who feel that they have read, seen and bred it all, THE FINCH… A Breeder’s Companion will re-ignite a new and brighter Avicultural flame.
