Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Bird Trainer

🎯 Role Definition

The Bird Trainer (also known as Avian Trainer or Falconer where applicable) is responsible for the humane training, care, conditioning, and behavioral management of captive and free-flight birds for education, rehabilitation, performance, research, and conservation programs. This role blends hands-on animal handling, behavior modification using positive reinforcement, public education and demonstrations, and stringent animal welfare and safety practices. The ideal candidate demonstrates deep knowledge of avian species-specific behavior, strong observational and documentation skills, and the ability to communicate training goals to non-technical stakeholders and the public.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Wildlife rehabilitation technician or volunteer
Zookeeper assistant / animal care attendant
Falconry apprentice or volunteer avian handler

Advancement To:

Senior Avian Trainer / Head Falconer
Avian Program Manager or Curator of Birds
Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager or Conservation Program Lead

Lateral Moves:

Education Specialist / Interpretive Naturalist
Animal Behaviorist / Applied Ethologist
Avian Husbandry Specialist or Breeding Program Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop and implement individualized training programs using humane, science-based methods (e.g., positive reinforcement, target training, shaping) to teach flight recall, stationing, desensitization to equipment, veterinary procedures, and enrichment behaviors for a wide range of avian species including raptors, parrots, waterfowl, pigeons, and corvids.
Conduct daily hands-on training sessions and flight conditioning for free-flying birds and raptors, monitoring stamina, muscle tone, and flight patterns to ensure safety, optimal fitness, and successful behavioral outcomes.
Assess and modify training protocols based on continuous behavioral observation and data collection — recording sessions, success rates, triggers, and progress to adapt reinforcement schedules and goals.
Provide routine and emergency medical care coordination: perform basic avian first aid, recognize early signs of illness or injury, liaise with veterinarians, assist in diagnostics, and implement veterinary treatment plans as directed.
Manage bird housing and husbandry, ensuring enclosures, mews, aviaries, and transport crates meet species-specific welfare standards for space, perching, ventilation, hygiene, and enrichment.
Design and implement enrichment programs (cognitive, physical, sensory) to prevent boredom and stereotypic behaviors; rotate and document enrichment effectiveness frequently to improve welfare outcomes.
Plan and deliver interpretive live-flight demonstrations and educational presentations for public audiences, schools, special events, and media, ensuring messaging aligns with conservation goals and animal welfare guidelines.
Lead or participate in rehabilitation and release programs for native wildlife: assess candidate suitability for release, design conditioning protocols, manage banding and tracking, and document post-release monitoring when applicable.
Maintain meticulous records for each bird: training logs, health records, medication administration, feeding schedules, weight charts, behavioral incidents, permitting documentation, and daily care notes for team handover and regulatory compliance.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and permits (e.g., migratory bird protections, falconry licenses, CITES, transport permits), maintain up-to-date permits, and coordinate inspections or audits.
Supervise and train volunteers, apprentices, interns, and junior staff in safe handling, training techniques, record-keeping, and public interaction protocols to build internal capability and ensure consistent standards.
Coordinate logistics for bird transport, including crate selection, acclimation procedures, documentation, biosecurity measures, and on-site handling during events or inter-facility transfers.
Collaborate with medical staff and researchers to support behavioral and welfare research projects: assist with data collection, experimental protocols, telemetry, and non-invasive monitoring techniques.
Create and maintain species-specific husbandry and emergency care manuals, SOPs, and training guides to standardize operations and enable swift onboarding and cross-coverage.
Implement biosecurity and sanitation protocols to reduce disease transmission risk, manage quarantine procedures for new or sick birds, and maintain a clean, organized work environment.
Participate in program development and budgeting: forecast feed and equipment needs, recommend improvements to facilities and training tools, and support grant proposals or fundraising efforts tied to avian programs.
Provide direct visitor engagement, answer questions, and represent the organization professionally to enhance visitor experience and advance organizational mission and conservation messaging.
Respond to behavioral crises and emergency situations (escaped bird, aggressive behavior, injury) with calm, practiced procedures to protect bird welfare and public safety.
Monitor and manage breeding programs as needed: assist with pair introductions, incubation protocols, chick rearing, imprinting controls, and record-keeping to support species sustainability or educational collection goals.
Implement species-appropriate socialization strategies for flock dynamics or solitary species to minimize stress and optimize compatibility for mixed collections or free-flight shows.
Conduct routine welfare audits, behavioral risk assessments, and enrichment efficacy reviews to continuously improve animal well-being and training outcomes.
Design and deliver staff training workshops on topics such as avian handling, restraint techniques, training theory, enrichment development, and safety procedures.
Maintain and calibrate specialized equipment used in training and flight (e.g., telemetry units, falconry hoods, perches, lures, tethers) and recommend upgrades to improve safety and effectiveness.
Support cross-department initiatives — veterinary, education, maintenance, and conservation teams — to align avian activities with broader institutional objectives and seasonal programming.

Secondary Functions

Assist with marketing and social media content creation by contributing bird-care stories, training progress updates, and behind-the-scenes material that highlight conservation messaging.
Support data-driven program evaluation by compiling training metrics, audience engagement statistics, and post-release survival data to inform strategic decisions.
Participate in community outreach and partner with schools, nature centers, and conservation groups to expand program reach and support local biodiversity initiatives.
Serve as an ambassador for best practices in avian welfare by attending conferences, contributing to professional networks, and staying current with relevant literature.
Provide input to exhibit design and interpretive signage to ensure accuracy and engagement regarding species biology, conservation status, and human-wildlife interactions.
Assist in inventory management for feed, supplements, medical supplies, and training equipment, ensuring cost-effective procurement and minimal waste.
Mentor and evaluate volunteer performance and recommend certification pathways or continuing education to strengthen team competencies.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Advanced knowledge of avian behavior, ethology, and species-specific biology (raptors, psittacines, waterfowl, corvids) with demonstrated ability to create effective training plans.
Proficiency in positive reinforcement techniques, target training, shaping, operant conditioning, and clicker training adapted for birds.
Practical experience conducting free-flight training, flight recall conditioning, lure work, and stamina-building exercises for birds-of-prey and other free-flight species.
Avian first aid competency and experience recognizing common avian diseases, parasites, nutritional disorders, and emergency care protocols.
Strong husbandry skills: enclosure design considerations, nutrition and feeding regimes, nest and breeding management, and environmental enrichment planning.
Permit and regulatory knowledge: experience obtaining and maintaining falconry licenses, migratory bird permits, CITES paperwork, and transport documentation.
Skilled in behavioral observation, accurate data collection, weight monitoring, and maintaining detailed training and medical records (digital or paper systems).
Experience with telemetry, radio-tracking, and GPS devices for release programs and post-release monitoring.
Proficiency with basic tools and equipment maintenance (perches, hoods, jesses, tethers, crates) and safe handling of capture/release gear.
Demonstrated ability to design and deliver public demonstrations and educational programs that clearly communicate conservation messages and safe viewing practices.

Soft Skills

Strong observational skills and patience to interpret subtle changes in avian behavior and adjust training plans accordingly.
Excellent communication and public-speaking skills for delivering demonstrations, interpreting science to non-technical audiences, and coaching team members.
Calmness and effective decision-making under pressure during escapes, injuries, or unexpected flight events.
High emotional intelligence, empathy for animals, and commitment to ethical treatment and welfare-driven training.
Collaboration and teamwork: ability to work cross-functionally with veterinarians, educators, maintenance, and conservation staff.
Problem-solving orientation with creativity to design enrichment and training solutions for individual bird personalities.
Strong teaching and mentoring skills to develop volunteers, interns, and junior staff into confident handlers.
Organizational skills and attention to detail to keep accurate logs, manage schedules, and coordinate events.
Cultural sensitivity and professionalism for interacting with diverse public audiences, donors, and partner organizations.
Time management and prioritization skills to balance daily care, training sessions, documentation, and outreach responsibilities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent with substantial hands-on experience in avian handling and training.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Wildlife Biology, Zoology, Biology, Ecology, or a related field.
Professional certifications in falconry, bird husbandry, or animal training are highly valued.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Animal Science
Wildlife Biology / Conservation
Zoology / Ecology
Veterinary Technology (avian focus)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years direct experience working with birds in zoo, sanctuary, falconry, wildlife rehabilitation, or research settings.

Preferred: 3–7 years of progressive experience with species-specific training, free-flight demonstration experience, proven welfare management, and experience obtaining/holding required permits/licenses.

Additional desirable qualifications:

Active falconry license or demonstrable equivalent experience for raptor programs.
Experience in conservation programs, post-release monitoring, or species recovery projects.
Strong volunteer management and public education track record.