Begin the process of choosing parakeet books by thinking about your reasons for wanting to learn about parakeets. Once you have identified your topic or topics of interest, you can then begin to look for appropriate titles. Other things to consider during your evaluation of parakeet books include the credentials of the book's author, the reputation of its publisher, and the year in which the book was published. You may also want to evaluate the book's illustrations or photographs if these are important to your research. Other considerations include the reading level at which the book is written and whether it provides reference tools, such as a good index or a glossary.
If you are simply interested in learning about parakeets because you are writing about them or just have some questions, you may wish to look for a generalist book on parakeets. If you are purchasing a parakeet as a pet, however, it is generally a good idea to select a guide specifically for parakeet owners. You may be able to purchase such a guide from the pet store or breeder that sells you your budgie. Your veterinarian may also be able to recommend a good book. If the parakeet is primarily your child's pet, talk to a public or school library for assistance in finding an age-appropriate parakeet book for your child.
When evaluating any non-fiction book, it is important to review its author's qualifications for writing the book. Although an expert writer does not guarantee that a book is factual or well written, choosing a book by an author with significant education or experience improves your chances of getting quality information. While looking for parakeet books, you may wish to search for books written by ornithologists or veterinarians who specialize in the treatment of birds. On the other hand, if you are seeking a book on parakeet breeding, you may wish to find out whether its author actually has experience as a breeder.
It is generally a good idea to look for parakeet books that have been recently published, particularly if you are seeking information on addressing your bird's health issues. You will want the books that you read to contain information about up-to-date parakeet health research and treatments so that you can provide your budgie with the best care possible. Finally, check the back pages of parakeet books before making your purchase. Ideally, the book should contain an easy-to-use index so you can quickly find the information that you need.