Page 262 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

234 Box B10 Training Birds orom a Zoo Prooessionalls Perspective

VetBooks.ir response in the bird. If birds are in a nervous feeding areas. To effectively use portions of a
birds’ diet as primary reinforcement for
or tense state when keepers are in their envi-
ronment, it will likely hinder the learning
the birds favour, and to begin associating
process during training, so this simple tech- training, it is important to know what items
nique is not just good bird care but effective these items more directly with the keeper
bird training. versus the food bowl. This can be easily
A combination of both active and passive done, starting with a food preference test.
training can also be used, to give the birds Separate each food type into a separate pile
more opportunities to engage in and practice within the bowl and observe which the
the desired behaviour(s) that can aid in bird(s) choose to eat first, second, and third.
achieving training goals. Active training Do this for several days or more to get an
refers to formal training sessions where the idea of which food types they prefer. Remove
bird is cued to perform specific behaviours. the most preferred food types from their
Passive training occurs when the bird is given daily feed and begin feeding them separately.
the opportunity to engage in a behaviour This allows the keeper to find and use the
when the keeper is absent. For example, crate birds’ favoured foods as training reinforce-
training is likely to progress more quickly ment, and associates these preferred foods
with a combination of active training ses- more directly with the keeper, which again
sions with the keeper approximating the bird can help set a stronger foundation for
closer to and then into the crate, and passive training.
sessions where reinforcers are left near/in the All of these suggestions and tips have a
crate, allowing the bird to explore and gain common theme: listen to the birds and let
the reinforcement on its own. their natural history and behaviour guide
Finally, knowing the most powerful rein- your actions. This will help you have a
forcer for birds is a critical component of an stronger relationship, reduce the potential
effective programme. Many zoo animals are stress associated with required daily hus-
hand or target fed parts of their diet by keep- bandry and implement a more successful
ers as the reinforcer. Most exhibit birds tend training programme (Figure B10.1a–f).
to be fed primarily out of bowls in specific Good luck!

References

Heidenreich, B. 2014. Weight management in animal response rates. Applied Animal
animal training: pitfalls, ethical Behaviour Science 147: 179–185.
considerations and alternative options. Ward, S.J. and Melfi, V. (2015). Keeper‐animal
http://www.goodbirdinc.com/pdf/ interactions: differences between the
Heidenreich_%20Weight%20Management_ behaviour of zoo animals affect
ABMA_2014.pdf. Stockmanship. PLoS ONE 10 (10): e0140237.
Ward, S.J. and Melfi, V. (2013). The https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.
implications of husbandry training on zoo pone.0140237.