About The Webinar
Captive breeding has contributed to the successful restoration of many species of birds of prey threatened with extinction including the Californian condor, Mauritius kestrel and peregrine falcon. Avicultural techniques that have been pioneered by raptor breeders include; double clutching, direct fostering, cross fostering, hatch and switch, hacking, artificial insemination (AI) and cryopreservation.
Veterinarians are often consulted when reproductive success is not as high as expected or for last ditch 'fire-brigade' medical intervention on sick falcons. It is interesting that despite the high value of large falcons most commercial breeding projects have limited veterinary involvement. This along with commercial sensitivities accounts for the paucity of veterinary information published from these projects. Poor health and management are closely interrelated and management failures, even by experienced aviculturalists, are common reasons for reproductive failure.
This talk is an overview of a subject that is often hidden behind a veil of secrecy and of a world where vets are infrequent visitors. I hope it will provide interesting insights into the avicultural techniques used by falcon breeders. The last half of the talk will look at some of the problems that can occur in breeding along with veterinary management of breeding birds and collections
