One of the most common questions we get at Avian Behavior Conservancy is whether our small owls—Tina, the burrowing owl, and Nigel, the screech owl—are babies. It’s an understandable assumption; after all, they’re small, fluffy-looking, and have that wide-eyed, inquisitive expression that makes them seem...
When you think of a vulture, you might picture a hunched scavenger circling ominously overhead or lurking by a roadside carcass. Maybe you’ve even heard the myth that vultures are dirty, dangerous, or waiting for something to die. But at Avian Behavior International, we’re on...
When we talk about giving effective feedback, what we’re really talking about is how we communicate as trainers, mentors, and leaders in the animal training space. What does it look like when we’re working together as a team, making sure we’re heading in the right...
If you've spent any time in the world of animal training, you've probably heard a lot about operant conditioning—reinforce what you want, ignore or replace what you don’t. But what if there’s a better way? A way that doesn’t just focus on controlling behavior, but...
As the weather warms up, the battle against bugs begins. Mosquitoes buzzing around your head, beetles in the garden, caterpillars munching on your plants—it’s easy to see them as nothing more than pests. But before you reach for the spray or swat that bug away, consider...
Weighing birds is one of those things we do every day, but it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking the number on the scale is the ultimate measure of whether a bird is ready to work. In reality, weight is just data—it tells...
Courtship is an essential part of avian life, influencing not only reproduction but also the survival of species. Birds have evolved an astonishing range of behaviors to attract mates, many of which serve as indicators of health, genetic fitness, and resource availability. Understanding these behaviors...
If your bird was training consistently and suddenly stops engaging, you’re not alone. Motivation dips happen, but they’re never random. So, what’s going on, and how do you fix it? Let’s break it down. Why a Bird Isn’t Performing the Behavior We look at three basic categories of...
Are crows actually leaving gifts for people that feed them? Recently, we have fielded many questions about how and what to feed crows here in the US. This has been popularized by the concept that feeding crows encourages them to leave the person that feeds...
Parrots have been part of human culture for centuries, admired for their intelligence, social nature, and striking plumage. In modern times, they are often kept as companion animals, forming deep bonds with their caregivers. However, unlike domesticated pets such as dogs and cats, parrots retain...