The American Federation of Aviculture (AFA) has officially announced its conservation agenda for the 2024-2025 cycle, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing mission to protect wild parrot populations and their native habitats. Central to this year’s efforts is a renewed partnership with Harrison’s Bird Foods, a collaboration that has recently seen a substantial $25,000 donation presented to AFA Chief Financial Officer Janice Lang. This funding is earmarked to bolster small-scale grants for field researchers and conservationists working on the front lines of avian preservation. By providing financial scaffolding to projects that often struggle to secure large-scale institutional funding, the AFA continues to serve as a critical bridge between the private avicultural community and international biological research.
Historical Context and the Genesis of the AFA
To understand the scope of the 2024-2025 conservation initiatives, one must look back to the organization’s founding in 1974. The American Federation of Aviculture, Inc. was born out of a crisis within the Southern California bird-owning community. During an outbreak of Exotic Newcastle Disease in the early 1970s, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversaw the euthanasia of thousands of healthy exotic birds in private collections to prevent the spread of the virus. This event, coupled with proposed state legislation that sought to severely restrict or ban the private ownership of exotic birds, catalyzed the formation of the AFA as a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization.
Since its inception, the AFA has evolved into a global federation representing thousands of aviculturists and numerous affiliated bird clubs. Its mission remains centered on the promotion of aviculture through educational programs, the advancement of breeding and husbandry practices, and a robust commitment to legislative awareness and scientific research. The current conservation programs are a direct extension of this half-century-long commitment to ensuring that exotic birds thrive both in managed care and in the wild.
Current Conservation Projects and Field Research
The AFA’s Conservation Committee has identified several high-priority projects for the 2024 funding season. These initiatives span the globe, focusing on critical species such as the Scarlet Macaw and the Lear’s Macaw, while also addressing environmental threats like invasive species and habitat loss.
The Chajul Biology Station, Mexico
In the Lacandon rainforest of southern Mexico, the Chajul Biology Station, operated by Natura Mexicana, is currently working to reverse the decline of wild Scarlet Macaws. Without human intervention, poaching for the illegal pet trade has historically driven the fledgling rate in this region toward zero percent. Biologists at the station engage in intensive nest monitoring, hatchling identification, and the hand-rearing and release of wild-hatched chicks. To date, the program has successfully fledged over 150 Scarlet Macaws back into the wild. The AFA’s 2024 fundraising goal for this project is $5,000, which will provide essential medical supplies and husbandry equipment, including incubators, brooders, and gram scales.
Selva Maya Living Landscape Program, Guatemala
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has been active in the Maya Biosphere Reserve since 2002. Their current focus is the Selva Maya Living Landscape Program, which utilizes experimental interventions to increase the survivability of Scarlet Macaw chicks. By combining threat-based interventions with direct population enhancements, the WCS aims to bolster recruitment in a population that remains one of the most vulnerable landscape species in the region.
The Tambopata Macaw Project, Peru
In the Tambopata region of Peru, researchers J. Jill Heatley, Lizzie Ortiz-cam, and Donald Brightsmith are conducting groundbreaking physiological research. Using i-STAT analyzers, the team collects "bird-side" data on electrolytes, blood gases, lactate, and ionized calcium in wild macaws. This research provides a physiological baseline for both growing nestlings and free-flighted adults, which is invaluable for avian veterinarians and conservation biologists alike. A specific focus of the current funding request is the investigation of clay lick usage—a behavior where birds consume soil to potentially supplement electrolytes or neutralize toxins. The AFA is currently seeking funds to support a dedicated student worker to process over 100 white blood cell count samples collected from the field.
Lear’s Macaw Corn Subsidy Program, Brazil
One of the most innovative social-ecological projects supported by the AFA is the corn subsidy program in Brazil. Wild Lear’s Macaws often forage on local farms, leading to crop destruction and subsequent conflict with farmers. By providing corn to these farmers to compensate for their losses, the program ensures that local communities view the macaws as a protected asset rather than a pest, fostering a culture of coexistence.
Addressing Biological Threats: The Africanized Honey Bee Protocol
Beyond direct species management, the AFA is funding research into environmental threats that affect nesting success. Principal Investigator Caroline A. Efstathion has developed a "push-pull" prevention protocol designed to protect parrot nest boxes from colonization by Africanized honey bees. This method utilizes permethrin, a bird-safe insecticide, to repel scout bees from avian nesting sites (the "push") while simultaneously using the Nasonov pheromone to draw them toward specially designed pheromone-baited traps (the "pull"). This dual-action approach prevents bees from displacing or killing nesting parrots and their chicks. The AFA is assisting in the procurement of funds to further refine these protocols and publish the results for global application.
Legislative Advocacy and International Trade Oversight
A significant portion of the AFA’s mission involves navigating the complex web of international and domestic laws governing avian species. The organization maintains a dedicated CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Committee to monitor global trade and provide input to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
The Role of CITES and the ESA
The AFA often serves as a Non-Governmental Observer (NGO) at CITES meetings, offering the "ground-level" expertise of aviculturists to international regulators. This is particularly crucial when distinguishing between the requirements of CITES and the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). While CITES governs international movement, the ESA regulates interstate commerce within the United States. The AFA monitors the Federal Register to ensure that legislation does not inadvertently penalize responsible breeders or owners of species that are common in aviculture but endangered in their native ranges.
The Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 (WBCA)
The WBCA essentially ended the mass importation of wild-caught birds into the U.S. for the pet trade. However, it includes mechanisms for "qualified" species to be imported under specific conditions. The AFA provides resources to help aviculturists understand the "Clean List" of exempt species—such as Budgerigars, Cockatiels, and certain lovebirds—and the stringent requirements for importing species not on this list.
Cooperative Breeding Programs (CBP)
One of the primary legal avenues for importing underrepresented species into the U.S. is through Cooperative Breeding Programs. Overseen by the USFWS and organizations like the AFA, these programs allow for the importation of birds with diverse genetic backgrounds to establish sustainable captive populations.
Current efforts led by Mary Ellen LePage include the Blue-eyed Cockatoo CBP, which was approved in 2005. This program has successfully imported nine pairs of Blue-eyed Cockatoos, which are now reaching breeding age. Recently, the permit was extended to include various species of black cockatoos, such as the Gang-gang, Red-tailed, White-tailed, and Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos. These programs require biannual updates and strict adherence to regulations ensuring that the birds are used for breeding and conservation rather than immediate commercial resale.
Grant Submission and Participation Guidelines
The AFA continues to invite researchers and conservationists to apply for funding. While the organization typically provides modest grants of $500 or less, larger amounts may be awarded for projects with exceptional goals and objectives. The deadline for 2025 funding submissions is September 15, 2024.
Proposals must include a clear mission statement, a detailed budget, and a description of how the project contributes to the long-term survival of avian species. Preferential consideration is given to projects that demonstrate a high likelihood of success and provide useful knowledge for both wild conservation and captive husbandry.
Implications for the Future of Aviculture
The 2024-2025 AFA conservation cycle represents a holistic approach to avian welfare. By combining financial support for field biology with legislative advocacy and the promotion of sustainable captive breeding, the AFA addresses the multifaceted threats facing the world’s birds. The partnership with Harrison’s Bird Foods underscores the importance of the private sector in environmental stewardship.
As wild populations continue to face pressures from climate change, habitat fragmentation, and illegal trade, the data collected by AFA-funded researchers in places like Tambopata and the Lacandon forest will become increasingly vital. These efforts ensure that the beauty and biological diversity of the world’s parrots are preserved for future generations, maintaining the delicate balance between the birds in our homes and those in the wild.
