Since 1974, the American Federation of Aviculture (AFA) has had this Mission Statement: The mission and purpose of AFA shall be to promote the advancement of Aviculture through educational programs that support the advancement and improvement of breeding practices, husbandry practices, and living conditions for exotic birds, conservation, research and legislative awareness. Their web site landing page is full of great things for all lovers of birds. There are courses to take, archives of the AFA Magazine articles on line, the how and why of leg bands, and news from their disaster relief programs.
Most of all, there is a link to the group’s conservation in-situ support efforts. Helping conservation in the actual place where the birds are native is an amazing goal. For example, they participated in the Red Siskin Initiative, helping to bring this beauty back from near extinction. The reasons for its decline in the wild are linked to human actions: Over-collecting for the pet trade and destruction of habitat. There is worry that if the remaining population gets too small, inbreeding and other genetic problems will arise.
The AFA also praised the Loro Parque in Tennifre for saving 9 parrots from the brink of extinction. On their Projects page, the park lists more than 9 avian breeding projects, along with good number of ocean life projects. AFA had an article about that work in the most recent issue of the Watchbird.
These days, with climate change making the world less inhabitable for humans, imagine how hard it is for the wildlife. When I write about conservation, I hate having to relay only bad news. That’s why AFA information is so helpful and encouraging. I have every intention of renewing my membership, keeping the Watchbird magazines as reminders of the great work being done, and eventually taking the bird keeper classes offered through AFA.
The recent issue of Watchbird also includes some information on Jennifer Cunha’s Goffin’s Cockatoo and how the bird learned to read. Ms. Cunha spoke on the subject at the last AFA Conference and I am sure she wowed the crowd. There are a number of articles on her and her parrot, as researchers are interested to know that so many animals can be taught to communicate with people.
I don’t think I could teach my Amazon Maynard much of anything. While he is very food motivated, he’s not shown much desire to learn new things. Bobo and Jessie, however, the African Grays, would be good students. The issue is if I would be a good teacher. To be able to ask Bobo if she wants a carrot, some broccoli, or both, would be great. Jessie will do just about anything for a peanut, so I would teacher her that carrots are just as good, if not better, than peanuts.
Maynard 
Please consider joining the AFA and supporting their conservation efforts. Their past conference was available on Zoom, and I hope that even after the pandemic, they will continue to offer this service. Now I know what I am missing, and I want to get involved with the conference if I can. Thanks for reading, I’ll be back next Sunday.
In Loco Parrotus 
I’m not sure I’m up to that level of training, regardless of whether my bird is!