Cage Birds and Their Songs: A Cultural Perspective - Paperback

by Stephen Plass (Author)

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.

Author Biography

Stephen Plass is a law professor who lives in Florida. He holds law degrees from Howard University and Georgetown University, and publishes regularly in law journals. He has been a cage bird hobbyist for over thirty-five years and his passion for songbirds led him to this book project. He became a hobbyist in Guyana during his childhood years and his enthusiasm for songbirds continues. Based on his research and experience with songbirds in cages and aviaries he has produced an informative and exciting book about cage bird culture. In this book he shares his experiences in the gardens, swamps, fields and savannahs where songbirds live, and describes a variety of song competitions as they are practiced in different countries. He also took many beautiful photographs depicting this hobby, and generously included them in this book.