[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/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...
[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...
[fusebox_track_player url="https://traffic.libsyn.com/avianbehavior/76_traveling_with_your_parrot_.mp3" ] Traveling long distances with your parrot doesn't have to be stressful. We have moved cross country with our bird family many times. What happens if your bird hates the dark, like one of our palm cockatoos did? What about hotel stays or what...
Our Fall 2024 Bird of Prey Workshop focused on key topics such as managing fear and aggression in raptors using the constructional approach and non-coercive negative reinforcement and using progressive weight management techniques....
Training your bird for transportation isn't just an important part of education programming, it's a good life skill to have. For wildlife rehabilitation organizations, nature centers, and other small bird of prey centers, this is an essential skill that trainers rely on. For companion parrot...
In episode 73, we sit down with fellow science communicator Dr. Stephanie Rosenbloom who not only has a PhD in chemistry, but a keen interest in parrot nutrition. We tease apart the idea of the appeal to nature fallacy, that occurs when a person assumes...
[fusebox_track_player url="https://traffic.libsyn.com/avianbehavior/72_fly_off.mp3" ] "If you are looking for guarantees with free flight training in birds, you are in the wrong place." In this episode, Avian Behavior International founder Hillary Hankey and ABI Animal Training Lead Katie Pnewski talk about how developing skills for birds and training...
Owls make remarkable ambassadors to highlight conservation work, but they can also make for challenging training subjects and divisive ideas in the training community....