The American Federation of Aviculture (AFA) has officially launched its conservation and research agenda for the 2024-2025 cycle, bolstered by a significant $25,000 contribution from Harrison’s Bird Foods. This partnership aims to provide critical financial and logistical support to wild parrot conservation projects across their native habitats, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean. As part of this renewed effort, the AFA is inviting researchers and conservationists to apply for small grants to fund field biology, medical research, and habitat restoration. The collaboration highlights a growing trend of synergy between the avian food industry and non-profit organizations dedicated to the long-term survival of exotic bird species both in captivity and the wild.
The 2024-2025 Conservation Partnership and Funding Strategy
The cornerstone of the AFA’s current conservation strategy is its long-standing relationship with Harrison’s Bird Foods. In a recent ceremony, representatives from Harrison’s presented AFA Chief Financial Officer Janice Lang with a check for $25,000, specifically earmarked for avian preservation efforts. This funding serves as the primary engine for the AFA’s small grants program, which typically awards amounts of $500 or more to projects that align with the organization’s mission of promoting avian health, research, and legislative awareness.
The AFA Conservation Committee, currently overseen by veteran aviculturist Rick Jordan, reviews applications annually to ensure that funds are directed toward high-impact, scientifically sound initiatives. The 2024-2025 cycle places a heavy emphasis on "in-situ" conservation—protecting birds within their natural ecosystems—while simultaneously supporting "ex-situ" research that improves husbandry and veterinary practices for captive populations.
Current Field Projects: Scarlet Macaws and Habitat Protection
Among the primary recipients of AFA support is the Chajul Biology Station, operated by Natura Mexicana in Chajul, Mexico. This project focuses on the survival of wild scarlet macaws in the Lacandon rainforest of southern Mexico. Historically, poaching for the illegal wildlife trade has devastated local populations, leading to a near-zero percent fledgling rate without human intervention. Biologists at the station monitor nests, identify hatchlings, and, when necessary, hand-rear and release wild-hatched macaws. To date, the program has successfully fledged over 150 scarlet macaws back into the wild. For the 2024 season, the project seeks $5,000 to procure essential medical supplies, including incubators, brooders, and gram scales.
In neighboring Guatemala, the AFA continues its support for the Selva Maya Living Landscape Program, managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Since 2002, the WCS has worked within the Maya Biosphere Reserve to address threats to scarlet macaw habitat. Current research focuses on chick survivability through experimental interventions designed to increase population recruitment. The scarlet macaw remains a "landscape species" for the WCS, meaning its health is viewed as a primary indicator of the overall health of the Selva Maya ecosystem.
Innovative Research: Africanized Honey Bee Mitigation
One of the most unique research initiatives supported by the AFA is the development of a prevention protocol to protect parrot nest boxes from colonization by Africanized honey bees. Principal investigator Caroline A. Efstathion has developed a "push-pull" method to address this ecological conflict. Africanized bees often compete with parrots for nesting cavities, frequently leading to the death of chicks or the abandonment of nests.
The "push-pull" strategy utilizes a bird-safe insecticide, permethrin, to repel scout bees from parrot boxes (the "push"), while simultaneously using pheromone-baited traps to draw them to alternative nesting sites (the "pull"). This research is critical for conservationists managing artificial nest box programs in the tropics, where bee aggression is a major limiting factor for parrot reproduction. The AFA’s funding assists in the procurement of nasonov pheromones and the publication of protocols so that other global conservation groups can implement these techniques independently.
Avian Health and Nutritional Studies in Peru
In the Tambopata region of Peru, the AFA is funding essential physiological research led by investigators J. Jill Heatley, Lizzie Ortiz-cam, and Donald Brightsmith. This project utilizes an i-STAT analyzer to determine electrolytes, venous blood gases, and ionized calcium levels in wild macaws directly in the field. These data provide a baseline for the health of both growing nestlings and free-flighted adults.
A secondary goal of the Tambopata project is to investigate the "clay lick" phenomenon. While it is well-known that parrots visit clay licks, the exact reason—whether for sodium, toxin neutralization, or other minerals—remains a subject of scientific debate. By correlating serum electrolyte data with crop contents and reproductive status, the researchers hope to provide guidelines for both conservation biologists and avian veterinarians. Current funding needs for this project include support for student workers trained in differential white blood cell determination for over 100 collected samples.
Regional Subsidy Programs: The Lear’s Macaw Corn Project
In Brazil, the AFA participates in the Lear’s Macaw Corn Subsidy Program. This initiative addresses human-wildlife conflict by providing corn to local farmers whose crops are frequently raided by wild Lear’s macaws. By compensating farmers for their losses, the program reduces the likelihood of retaliatory killings and fosters a more positive relationship between the local agricultural community and conservationists. This model of "community-based conservation" has proven effective in preserving the endangered Lear’s macaw, which has a very limited natural range.
Institutional Background: The Evolution of the AFA
The American Federation of Aviculture was founded in 1974 as a direct response to a crisis. During an outbreak of Exotic Newcastle Disease in California in the early 1970s, thousands of healthy exotic birds were euthanized by the USDA to prevent the spread of the virus. This event, combined with proposed state legislation that would have severely restricted bird ownership, led Southern California bird clubs to form a national umbrella organization.
Today, the AFA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization based in Austin, Texas. It represents thousands of individual members and affiliated bird clubs worldwide. Its mission has expanded from purely legislative defense to include the promotion of professional husbandry standards, the support of scientific research, and the representation of avicultural interests at international forums like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
The Regulatory Framework: WBCA, ESA, and CITES
A significant portion of the AFA’s work involves navigating the complex legal landscape governing the trade and movement of birds. The Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA) of 1992 effectively halted the mass importation of wild-caught birds into the United States. While this law protected wild populations from over-exploitation, it also created challenges for aviculturists seeking to maintain genetic diversity in captive populations.
To address this, the AFA facilitates Cooperative Breeding Programs (CBPs). These programs allow for the limited importation of specific species if they are intended for conservation-minded breeding rather than the commercial pet trade. For example, the current Blue-eyed Cockatoo CBP has successfully imported pairs to establish a sustainable U.S. population. Recent expansions to this program now include several species of black cockatoos, such as the Gang-gang and the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo.
Furthermore, the AFA monitors the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and CITES appendices. While CITES governs international trade, the ESA regulates interstate commerce within the U.S. The AFA provides "Non-Governmental Observer" (NGO) input at CITES meetings, ensuring that the practical experience of bird breeders is considered when international trade policies are drafted.
Future Implications for Global Aviculture
The AFA’s activities for the 2024-2025 period underscore the shift toward a more scientific and collaborative approach to bird keeping. By funding peer-reviewed research and field biology, the AFA is helping to bridge the gap between "pet owners" and "conservationists." The data collected from wild populations in Peru and Mexico directly informs the nutritional and medical care provided to birds in homes and zoological parks.
Moreover, the organization’s emphasis on legislative awareness ensures that the rights of responsible bird owners are protected against overly broad regulations. As habitat loss continues to threaten wild populations, the role of captive breeding as a "genetic insurance policy" becomes increasingly vital. Through its grant programs and partnerships with industry leaders like Harrison’s Bird Foods, the AFA remains a central figure in the global effort to ensure that exotic birds continue to thrive for future generations.
Researchers interested in applying for AFA conservation grants are encouraged to submit proposals by the annual September 15 deadline. Projects are evaluated based on their likelihood of success, their contribution to avian knowledge, and their alignment with the AFA’s core mission of promoting the advancement of aviculture through education and research.
