[fusebox_track_player url="https://traffic.libsyn.com/avianbehavior/81_expert_card__2.0.m4a" ] What does it mean to be an expert, and what happens when expertise becomes a shield from scrutiny rather than a commitment to precision? In this episode, Hillary examines the role of authority, rhetoric, and responsibility in professional animal training spaces, especially as conference...
[fusebox_track_player url="https://traffic.libsyn.com/avianbehavior/80_LoMcGo_and_SiCo_.mp3" ] This episode is a conversation between friends Simone Lupson-Cook, Lauren McGough, PhD, and Hillary Hankey about what mentorship means to them, growth through falconry over the years, and how to navigate complex relationships. Set on a sunny outdoor deck while casually bird-watching and...
[fusebox_track_player url="https://traffic.libsyn.com/avianbehavior/79_Transition_Nwra__112k_1.mp3" ] Explore the transition from traditional to choice-based training for ambassador raptors with Hillary Hankey. This professional discussion is a presentation from the 2026 NWRA conference that looks into evolving welfare standards, the science of behavior, and the distinction between coercion and choice. Learn...
If flying birds has piqued your interest, you might have a question or two about the various types of telemetry devices on the market and how they integrate with your training program. A quality flighted relationship with your bird relies on your understanding of how...
For many apprentice falconers and early-career professionals, creance work can feel deceptively simple. The bird flies out. The bird comes back. The line stays untangled. Progress is measured in distance and reliability. We use the creance to give us an opportunity to layer recall with positive...
If you've ever looked up into the Southern California sky and thought, “Is that an eagle? Or maybe something escaped from the zoo?”—you’re not alone. In San Diego County, we’re lucky to share our cities, canyons, and coastlines with a wide variety of native birds,...
[fusebox_track_player url="https://traffic.libsyn.com/avianbehavior/78_Levi.mp3" ] In this heartfelt and insight-packed episode, Hillary Hankey sits down with winter intern Levi Soucek, a wildlife rehabilitator, educator, and outreach coordinator at the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center. Levi reflects on her transformative 12-week internship at the Avian Behavior Ranch, sharing how hands-on...
[fusebox_track_player url="https://traffic.libsyn.com/avianbehavior/77_parrot_recall.mp3" ] This is an excerpt from our live parrot recall training, focusing on the pitfalls of over-training and the importance of recall in various scenarios. We share examples of a black palm cockatoo named Jupiter, whose wings were rehabilitated using falconry techniques, and a...
If you have ever been driving down a two lane highway through the grasslands of the US and seen a small, dove-sized raptor perched on a wire, bobbing their head as they scan the fields below or even hovering over a field before plunging into...
If you have never heard the term “spark bird,” allow me to introduce you to a concept that has ignited the passion for birds. A 'spark bird' is that one bird whose presence captures your heart and opens your eyes to the wonder of birds...