When we talk about raising a well-socialized ambassador owl, we are not starting with training plans or behaviors. We are starting with the bird. That choice shapes everything that follows. Different species of owls come with different habits, preferences, needs, and motivation levels. The goal of...
[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...
I was so fortunate to have two animal loving grandmothers growing up. While it was hard to match what some might have called an animal obsession, their support has carried me well into adulthood. My dad’s mother had polio at age 26, confining her to...
[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...
This year, we were able to do something that fundamentally changes the trajectory of our work. In 2025, a single, transformative gift accelerated the Avian Behavior Conservancy’s research program by two full years—allowing us to establish a dedicated Conservation Biologist position far ahead of schedule. Today,...
Most people will never see a condor soaring over the Andes. Many will never stand on the cliffs of Big Sur and watch a California condor riding the ocean winds. Some will never even see the owl that quietly hunts over their neighborhood each night....
One of the core goals of ambassador training is deceptively simple: we want our owls to experience abnormal situations as normal parts of life. Over the years, we’ve learned that resilience doesn’t come from avoiding challenges—or from overwhelming birds with them. It comes from thoughtful exposure, timing, and...
Free flight is often talked about as a milestone. The epitome of trust and welfare when it comes to coexisting with birds. While this is not a framework we embrace, we do believe strongly in the benefits of free flight for the birds and people...
On Love Your Wetlands Day, our team had the opportunity to connect with the community around one of Southern California’s most important—and most overlooked—ecosystems: wetlands. Our birds Aldo the Great Horned Owl and Goldie the American kestrel went to the Love Your Wetlands event in...
When most people meet one of our conservation ambassador birds, they see an unforgettable educational experience. What many don’t realize is that those same birds have helped build the research foundation of Avian Behavior Conservancy over the last decade. Your support of our education programs has...