The American Federation of Aviculture, Inc., promotes the advancement of aviculture through educational programs that support improved husbandry practices, conservation, research and legislative awareness.
Beginning June, 2007
Fundamentals of Aviculture, Level I, is an entirely online course, written by Rick Jordan and Barbara Heidenreich and presented as nine beautifully illustrated chapters, with original photographs and with drawings by Lyrae Perry.
Rick Jordan wrote the first eight chapters which cover avian anatomy and physiology, reproductive functions and behaviors, illness prevention and detection, and aviary construction, taxonomic assignments, avicultural history and advancements, domestication of birds in aviculture, and laws and regulations governing aviculture. Barbara Heidenreich covers keys to understanding parrot behavior, pet parrot behavior modification and training.
Development of Fundamentals of Aviculture was made possible by a grant from Pet Care Trust, and by funding and other support from the Schubot Exotic Bird Health Center, and the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University.
This course includes nine tests. The graduate is certified by the American Federation of Aviculture as Aviculturist, Level I. This course is a prerequisite for Intermediate Aviculture.
The Fundamentals of Aviculture, Level II course, Intermediate Aviculture, is now available. Intermediate Aviculture is offered in 15 chapters covering conservation and research, courtship and nesting, basic avian genetics, color mutations, hybrids, breeding stimuli, incubation, hand-rearing, non-parrot studies, basic microbiology, illnesses, first-aid, avian enrichment and more.
To register or for more information, go to the Fundamentals of Aviculture site.