careers with birds or falconry?

[cateyes221981]

does anyone know of any ? please tell?

what kind of education does someone need to fly display birds or even have a display of birds?

[tomt]

To posess birds for education or "display" you will need a federal and sometimes state education permit. These are entirely different from falconry permits. The requirements are usually state dependant.

*I* would reccomend at least 2-3 years working with birds of prey, ether volunteering at a zoo or aviary, or in the sport of falconry. A degree in biology will help but is not allways needed. you will also need a curriculum of what you will teach as well as facilities for the birds to be kept in. Other things to think about, how are you going to move birds from place to place? Will you need a large peice of land to house birds so people can come look at them. How big do you want your show?

I have only known one person to make a living soley on a bird show and that is Steve Chingrin at Utah's Hogle Zoo. The organization I work with does not make much money, and I do not get any compensation for working there. All of the money we make goes back into caring for the birds.

Alot of the people you will be doing bird shows for are not going to be able to pay alot. You will likely need a sponsoring organization and a federal or state outrach education grant to make a living on bird shows. Here are some of the high end places you could look into taking a bird show if you want to make a living of it:

State Fairs: These places pay a decent amout to have animal shows come in, enough to make it worth trucking a bunch of critters across the country.

Zoo/Aviary: These places can also offer alot for a good show.

Museum/Theme Park: These can also offer a decent amount of pay for a bird show.

There is a more falconry related profession that can make some money, and that is pest abatement. Pigeons and starlings as well as rabbits are a problem and the use of birds of prey is an very effective control. Be very carefull however, people are not allways receptive to the Idea of killing these pests, even if they are a problem.

I hope that I havent squashed your dreams of working with birds for a living, It is possible, and I wish you the best of luck.

Thomas
BoD Skymasters Wildlife Foundation