BIRD CHAT FORUM

Well,
Bad news again.  The forum is down.  I just wish I could find some reliable software that would filter most of the junk and spam.  Until then, we won't have a forum, but this blog can post a lot of information that you may want.  Just send your questions via our "CONTACT US" form and we will post it and hope someone sends us the answers that are being looked for and then we can post them.  I know this is not the best way for questions and answers, but it will have to do till we get reliable forum software.
Thanks for understanding.
Bob

BLOG ACCESS

Just want to extend an invitation to all of those professionals who are contributing to our site to take part in posting to the blog.  All you need is a Gmail address.  Contact me and I will send you the link to where you can log in.
Bob

JUST WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW.

I just want everyone to know that the site is back up, the forum is working now and the blog has several authors who will begin posting some great information soon.

By the way, The COMPANION  BIRD  WORLD web site is being changed.  Over time we need to become a publication that people around the world will want to read and look forward to new information.  The new site will be called  EXOTICS  OF  THE  WORLD.    A publication about our wild and companion friends.  We will also be posting about endangered species.  As always, any advertising money will go to one of our listed 501(c)3 organizations.
We are looking forward to this project and also look forward to any input and suggestions that anyone has.  Just click on the contact us link and talk to us, or go to the BIRD CHAT forum, join and talk to us in the GENERAL category.

Looking forward to hearing from everyone.

BA

WE'RE BACK!!

The website COMPANION BIRD WORLD is back on line, and the forum is once again set up.  Please come and join us for some spirited conversation and friendly sharing of information.

AVIAN HEALTH

Sometimes bird owners ask what they can do to help their companion's health improve.  We need to understand that birds, cats, dogs....any kind of living creature has very special dietary needs.  Some people feed a seed diet and some feed a pelleted diet.  Some people even prepare "non commercial" foods for their pets.  But remember, all animals were meant to live free and since we keep them captive, we don't always give the proper foods to our companion pets.  Search for a nutritionist to help with your dietary needs as you would for yourself.  Your Avian Vet, or your regular vet should be able to better advise you since they have the training and expertise in animal health.
Happy days and good health.

THANK YOU SID PRICE

I feel that Mr. Price has hit the nail on the head.  Not only does this pertain to "trainers", but it is also a concern that so many hobby breeders think they can advise on health and diet issues of birds.  If you don't have the credentials, please don't try to advise others how to take care of their companion bird.  Avian vets, trainers and nutritionists have spent years becoming the professionals they are.  They are the ones we need to go to for help.  Those of us who are professional breeders are in the position to help out with teaching proper hand feeding technique.  But, ONLY FOR THE SPECIES WE RAISE.   There is nothing more important than research and education so you can provide a safe and healthy environment for your bird.

The Instant Expert ...

What seems like it should be good news for the companion bird world is the number of people out and about speaking to bird clubs and even at conferences about training. What is surprising is how many of these new evangelists for contemporary training methods have little or no experience. They have taken one course or workshop and they hit the road running with their new, albeit shallow knowledge.

Time and again I hear presentations and read articles that, while promoting the best possible training methods, use the terminology of the science of behavior change incorrectly. Now you may say that as long as the intention is correct I should "lighten up" and let the terminology slips go. The problem with that approach is that multiple, inaccurate uses of terms causes confusion for, and that is a bad thing.

So, how can one know if a chosen speaker or consultant "knows their stuff?" There is now a professional credential for bird trainers. I am proud to be the chair of the International Avian Trainers Certification Board (IATCB) and while it is early days it is my expectation that in the future the credential, Certified Professional Bird Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPBT-KA) will help filter those who have a deep understand of the subject to those who are just beginning their journey of discovery.

Sid Price, CPBT-KA