BRANCHING  OUT  IN  AVICULTURE!
Highlights of the AMERICAN FEDERATION OF AVICULTURE'S National Convention
Copyright © 2009 Linda S. Rubin
AFA Specialty VP & Pubic Relations
Copyright 2009 Linda S. Rubin


Permission to reprint granted to AFA Affiliated Organizations
Reprinted from the AFA Watchbird publication of the
American Federation of Aviculture, Inc. www.afabirds.org




Houston, Texas  -  energy capital of the world and largest city in the Lone Star State - home of the Houston
Astrodome, Johnson’s Space Center, and blues capital where some of the greatest recordings in the history of
American music were cut - could not have been a more perfect venue, if you were lucky enough to attend the
AFA’s 35th national convention in August.  Furthering its educational commitment to its members and the
public, the AFA has run annual conventions each year packed with a cornucopia of avicultural activities ever
since the Federation’s founding in 1974.


According to AFA President Jim Hawley, the convention theme - branching out - aptly signifies “aviculturists
branching out in an effort to expand aviculture. We are encouraging young people. We are working with novice
aviculturists. We are defending the privilege to participate in every aspect of aviculture. We are branching out!”  
And branching out we did - across the multi-faceted tapestry of aviculture - thanks to the hospitality of the Lone
Star State!


In addition to the traditional superb lineup of national and international speakers on a plethora of topics, there
was a genuine appreciation for the wide diversity offered, insightful viewpoints shared, and well, just plain fun!  
Whether you signed up for one full day of seminars or the entire action-packed three days of talks, there was no
shortage of activities, events, and festivities from which to choose.


What made the convention so novel - and so very unique from any other - were the variety of special meetings
and events throughout the week. Pre-convention activities included the AFA House of Delegates Meeting for the
voting delegates representing the AFA affiliated local clubs and specialty organizations. Those in attendance at
the meeting included AFA delegates, state coordinators, committee chairs and officers prior to the start of the
main program.


This year’s concise, well-planned lineup started out with an update on the budget by CFO Brent Andrus,
followed by presentations on AFA conservation grants and avian research from Dr. Janice Boyd; an update on
avicultural legislation and the Endangered Species Act by AFA Legislative Vice President Genny Wall;  the
eagerly awaited Fundamentals of Aviculture II course, becoming available in early 2010, presented on behalf of
Education Chair Dr. Benny Gallaway by President Jim Hawley; and the by-law amendments for the official vote
by the AFA House of Delegates presented by Second Vice President Mary Ellen LePage. Immediately following
the meeting we loaded up the buses for a special trip to the Houston Zoo with a beind-the-scenes tour for
those who purchased tickets in advance.


That evening’s agenda included a President’s Gala to meet and greet the convention speakers and
commercial vendors in the Exhibit Hall, which included an inviting spread of refreshments and and an
opportunity to network, while renewing old friendships as attendees strolled among the many enticing bird
products, art, jewelry, books, feed, and other fascinating items on display.  To AFA President Jim Hawley’s
surprise, a mouth-watering chocolate birthday cake appeared, accompanied by a rousing chorus of Happy
Birthday to celebrate his special day.  


The Exhibit Hall remained open throughout the convention talks from Thursday through Saturday with many
opportunities for attendees to visit.  Inside the exhibit hall - and next to the AFA Store filled with AFA memorabilia
including convention tee shirts, mugs, logo pins and an array of other avicultural “must have” items - the AFA
Daily Raffle Tables, Specialty and State Baskets, and top Super-8 Drawing Prizes were set up. The convention
art of this year’s theme bird, the Blue-headed Parrot, painted by international artist Wayne E. Smyth were on
prominent display. Both the artists proofs of a pair of Blue-headed Parrots, and five Blue-headed Parrots in
flight, were generously donated by Wayne E. Smyth for the closing banquet auction.


The talks and presentations covered a wide variety of subjects. Whether you were interested in avian medicine,
avian reproduction, social interaction of aviary and pet birds, or working with challenging species, there was an
abundance of information for everyone at all levels of interest. With 30 convention speakers presenting over 35
topics to choose from, how could you lose!


Beginning with James C. Hawley, Jr.’s “President’s Welcome,” highlights from the first full day of speakers
included keynote address by internationally renown Dr. Ian Tizard, on “Disease, Death and Extinction: The
Significance of Infectious Diseases in the Life of Wild and Captive Birds,” the director of Loro Parque Fundacion
in Tenerife, Spain, Dr. David Waugh, on “Nest Boxes in the Wild: Conservation of the Cuban Parakeet,” and
avian veterinarian, Dr. Darrel Styles, on “Physics of Feather Color Generation in Parrots and Basic Avian
Genetics of Psittacine Color Mutations.” Other topics included  Dr. Jean Dubach on “Who’s MY Daddy? How
Genetic Analysis Can Answer Basic Questions.”  Roger G. Sweeney on “Considering Avian Social Systems in
Aviculture,” Tony Pittman on “The Slender-billed Conure in the Wild and in the Aviary,” and Cheryl Burns on “Bird
Folk Basics: Websites.”


An immensely poplar, well-attended talk was presented by the U.S. Management Authority for CITES (Roddy) R.
Gabel, who offered an update on Federal wildlife regulations pertaining to the import, export and interstate
commerce of birds, and the upcoming meeting of CITES Parties occurring next year.  The unending questions
brought about a continued session scheduled later the same afternoon.


Second day convention highlights included such notables as Australian aviculturist Matt Baird on rose-breasted
cockatoos titled, “The Galah in Australian Aviculture,” (including an array of color mutations at the end), who
also spoke previously on “Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos”; Donald Brightsmith on “Psittacine Nutrition
Research: Tambopata to Texas and Beyond”; Bonnie Zimmerman with Dr. Stewart Merz on “Project Abbotti:
Conserving the World’s Rarest Cockatoo”; and Roger G. Sweeney on “Behavioral Solutions in Avicultural
Management.” Additional talks included the president of the Pionus Breeders Association Mark Sargent on
“The Blue-headed Pionus Parrot: An Avicultural Perspective,” Bill Van Pattern on ‘Walkabout with Mike Fidler:
The Gouldian Finch,” Dick Schroeder on “The Hornbills,” and Francine Anderson, on “Lineolated Parakeets.”


Highlights on the third day included Dr. Donald Brightsmith who spoke on this year’s convention theme bird,
titled, “Ecology and Conservation of the Blue-headed Pionus Parrot,” Dr. David Waugh spoke on “Avicultural
Challenges and Successes: Highlights of the Loro Parque Fundacion Psittacine Collection,” and Rick Jordan
presented the well-attended talk, “Conures: World’s Greatest Pet Bird and Breeder Bird.” Additional avicultural
talks featured Kashmir Csaky on “A Comparative Observation of Hyacinth Macaws in Captivity and in the Wild,”
Jason Crean spoke on “Whitebacked Mousebirds,” Ron Mazzoni on “A Practical Guide to Feeding Softbills,”  
and Juan Cornejo presented “Captive Breeding and Husbandry of the Horned Guan.”


Several veterinary talks included “Sharman Hoppes, DVM, Ph.D. on “Allergic Alveolitis,” and “Update on
Proventricular Dilatation Disease,” and Natalie Antinoff, DVM, Avian Diplomate ABVP on “Avian Reproduction:
Breeding and Egg Development.”  Plus, Caroline Efstathion spoke on “Structure and Function of the Avian
Respiratory System,” Marshall Liger on “Practical Safe Avian Restraint and Basic Grooming,” and Michael
Dalton presented “Passive Speech Research, Language and the Animal Mind.”


Numerous pet bird and avicultural behavior talks were included throughout the program, featuring Robin
Shewokis (sponsored by Bird Endowment) on “Do Breeder Birds Benefit from Enrichment?”, Kashmir Csaky
on “Easing the Transitions in the Life of Captive Birds,” Adrianne Mock on “Branching Out: Birds in the
Classroom, at the Fair and at the Park,” and Laurie E. Baker on “No Bad Birds: Bird Instincts vs. Human
Interpretation.”  Chris Biro (sponsored by the International Conure Association), spoke on “The Importance of
Flight and the Freeflying Lifestyle,” and gave several demonstrations during the Specialty Organization
meetings of the International Conure Society, the Bird Endowment Friday evening reception, and during the
Saturday night gala banquet.


The convention offered a meeting opportunity for officers and committees to further brainstorm. Board of
Directors meetings were held by AFA before and following the convention, as well as during the convention by
some of the Affiliated Specialty Organizations.


One of the more unique meetings that has been occurring the past several conventions is led by North Central

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