THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first complete guide to pet and poultry, ‘Aruma Pakshikal’, was released here on Friday. The book was authored by Dr Shinekumar, PRO of the Animal Husbandry Department. Minister for Civil Supplies and Animal Husbandry C. Divakaran released the book at a function held here by handing over the copy to cine actor Siddique.
The guide provides a lot of valuable information on pet birds and poultry.
Diseases and treatment of all birds, common ailments, immunization of birds etc. are the prime attractions of the book. Shine Kumar said the book tries to introduce over 350 birds, from sparrows to giant size emus, with the help of attractive colour photos.
It will also be useful to poultry farmers. Details of many model projects in the animal husbandry sector is a specialty of the book. The guide provides information on the places where the rare breeds of pet birds are available, their prices and the places where they could be sold.
There is detailed information on the setting up of cages for pet birds and feeds.
The chapter on parrots deals with African grey parrots, different breeds of Macaw parrots, Amazon parrots, Senegal parrots etc. Budgerigars are one of the most beautiful pet birds being introduced in the book. It gives us the information that Macaw parrots have price tags ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh. The history and evolution of the different breeds of budgerigars also have been included.
The book provides details about waxbills, nuns, Australian grey finches etc.
The chapter on parakeets gives us the information on the specialties of small parrots. The beauty of grass parakeets will mesmerise onlookers. The barrabands parakeet, Princess of Wales parakeet, Australian king parakeet, Bernards parakeet, pleated parakeets etc are the kings of the colourful world of parakeets.
The weaklings among the pet birds are the canaries. Found first in the German mountain of Harz, the canaries have migrated to all other parts of the world. Blessed with the faculty to imitate voices, they have also been gifted with the faculty to sing sweetly.
Pheasants are synonyms for exquisite beauty. In India, they have been adorning the houses of the immensely rich people in Kolkota, Hyderabad, New Delhi and other big Indian cities. The golden pheasants, Lady Amherst’s pheasant and Reeves pheasant are a feast to the eyes of the onlooker. The book gives all details about these beauties.
Pigeons and doves, pouters, performing pigeons, tumblers, owls, larks and trumpeters add splendour to the colourful world of pets. The book will be very useful to bird lovers as well as poultry farmers.
trivandrum@epmltd.com