At some point, every trainer runs into it: the bird that suddenly won’t step up, ignores food it used to love, or bates when asked to do something routine. We’re quick to call this a “loss of motivation.” But motivation doesn’t just vanish. What’s really...
f you’ve ever watched a carcass feeding, you know it’s not a free-for-all. It looks chaotic from a distance, but up close there’s a very clear structure — a distinct role and order of feeding for each species. And if you’re a condor or another...
In 2013, we started Avian Behavior International as a mission-driven LLC. Our goal was simple: foster inspiration and connection between humans and birds for a better future for all. Over the years, our birds have flown thousands of demonstrations, raised awareness on five continents, and...
Feather destructive behavior is one of the most difficult challenges we face as bird trainers and caretakers. It’s frustrating, heartbreaking, and complex. And if you’ve been there, you know there’s rarely a quick fix. At Avian Behavior , we’ve been living this reality with Rio, our...
If you’ve ever joined us for a program at Avian Behavior Conservancy, you might have met Nigel, our Eastern Screech Owl. With his soft green eyes and perfectly camouflaged feathers, Nigel often steals the show. But what most people don’t realize is that Nigel represents a...
People often tell us about the pet hawks, falcons, or ravens they had growing up — wild nestlings they found, raised for a while, and later “released.” The hard truth is that those birds rarely survive. Once a young bird imprints on humans, it learns that...
When training feels stuck, it’s easy to zero in on the behavior itself — reinforcing more, adjusting criteria, or shifting mechanics. But often the real breakthrough doesn’t come from tweaking the behavior at all. It comes from stepping back and looking at the bigger picture:...
On a warm afternoon, Suyana, our Andean condor, was set for her final flight of the day. She stepped out onto the grass, clearly interested in heading to her sending-off trainer. But between her and the launch point? A lot of plants. And an uphill...
When we see a bird lunge, bite, or shut down, it’s tempting to label them: moody, stubborn, bossy. It’s a habit most of us have fallen into at some point. But those labels stop us from asking the right questions. Frustration isn’t a personality trait. It’s...
August 4 was International Owl Awareness Day — and around here, that’s every day. At Avian Behavior Conservancy, our owls aren’t just part of the landscape. They’re our colleagues in education, opening up conversations about ecosystems, conservation, and how humans fit into it all. Every day,...