How to Be Bird Keeper - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Apr 18, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The increasing popularity of keeping exotic birds as pets has caused a rise in the demand for bird keepers. Bird keepers are responsible for the day-to-day care of birds, such as providing them with food, water, and a clean, safe environment. They also monitor the health of their birds and provide them with the necessary medical attention when needed.

bird keepers may also be responsible for grooming the birds and providing them with toys and other forms of enrichment. As a result, these professionals must have an understanding of bird behavior in order to properly care for them and ensure their safety. In addition, bird keepers must be knowledgeable about the many regulations and laws related to birds in order to ensure their birds are being kept in accordance with the law.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. Most employers require a high school diploma or equivalent in order to become a bird keeper.
Get hands-on experience. Working with birds in an educational setting or volunteering at a local zoo or bird sanctuary can give you the experience necessary to land a job as a bird keeper.
Pursue higher education. Some employers prefer applicants who have a college degree in zoology, biology, animal science, or a related field.
Obtain certifications. Depending on the type of birds you wish to work with, you may need to obtain specialized certifications. For example, if you want to work with exotic birds, you may need to get certified by the Association of Avian Veterinarians.
Apply for jobs. Once you have the education and experience necessary, you can start applying for bird keeper positions. Many zoos and bird sanctuaries post openings on their websites. You can also look for job postings on job search engines such as Indeed and Monster.

Skilled and capable animal keepers are essential for the successful care of animals in any environment. Having knowledge of animal behavior, nutrition, and husbandry techniques is essential for providing the highest quality of care. To become skilled and capable, animal keepers must have a strong understanding of basic animal science, including biology, anatomy, and physiology.

animal keepers must be proficient in animal nutrition, disease prevention and the use of appropriate health care procedures. Furthermore, having experience in handling different types of animals is also important in developing confidence and competence. Lastly, having good communication skills, problem-solving capabilities, and a commitment to animal welfare are all important qualities of a successful animal keeper.

With these skills and abilities, animal keepers can ensure that their charges receive the best possible care.

You may want to check Fish Keeper, Campground Keeper, and Records Keeper for alternative.

Job Description

Animal Caretaker: Responsible for providing daily care and enrichment for the animals, including cleaning enclosures, preparing meals, and monitoring health.
Wildlife Education Specialist: Responsible for educating guests about the animals and their habitats, conducting animal shows and presentations, and answering questions.
Research Assistant: Works with the bird keeper to collect data on the birds, analyze data, and report findings.
Veterinary Technician: Assists the veterinarian in providing medical care to the birds, including administering medications, taking blood samples, and keeping records of treatments.
Avian Nutritionist: Oversees the birds diets, including researching and selecting proper food items and preparing meals.
Bird Keeper: Responsible for the daily care, feeding, and monitoring of the birds, keeping accurate records, providing enrichment activities, and training new staff members.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of bird anatomy and physiology
Knowledge of different bird species and their behaviors
Ability to provide proper nutrition for birds
Familiarity with common bird diseases, parasites, and treatments
Ability to recognize signs of illness in birds
Ability to handle and restrain birds safely
Ability to maintain clean, safe, and healthy bird enclosures
Ability to administer basic first aid for birds
Understanding of applicable laws and regulations regarding birds
Knowledge of proper bird grooming techniques
Excellent communication and customer service skills
Ability to work well with other staff members
Ability to work independently and follow instructions accurately

Having the right skills is an essential factor in determining the success of a bird keeper. Being a good listener, being able to anticipate needs, and having excellent problem-solving skills are all important qualities that a bird keeper should possess. Good listening skills will help a bird keeper to better understand the needs of their birds and provide the necessary care they need.

Being able to anticipate needs helps a bird keeper to have the right supplies and tools on hand before problems arise. Having strong problem-solving skills allows a bird keeper to quickly figure out solutions and prevent any further issues from arising. These skills also help a bird keeper to understand the behavior of their birds and create a safe, healthy environment for them.

With the proper skills, a bird keeper can ensure their birds are given the best possible care and attention.

Grocery Keeper, Innkeeper, and Property Manager are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in caring for birds?
Describe a time when you successfully resolved a difficult situation with a bird.
How would you handle an aggressive bird?
What is your understanding of the different dietary requirements for each type of bird?
How do you ensure the safety and well-being of the birds in your care?
What are the most important daily tasks for a bird keeper?
What techniques do you use to observe and monitor the health of the birds?
How do you keep up to date with developments in bird keeping?
What methods do you use to ensure birds are receiving proper nutrition?
Describe a time when you had to provide medical care to an injured or sick bird.

Common Tools in Industry

Cage Cleaner. Used to clean cages and enclosures, as well as dispose of waste and debris. (eg: scrubbing the walls and floor of an enclosure)
Food Preparer. Used to prepare food for animals, such as chopping vegetables and mixing recipes. (eg: slicing carrots for a dinner recipe)
Animal Handler. Used to safely handle animals for medical examinations, grooming, and transport. (eg: picking up and carrying a parrot to its cage)
Veterinary Technician. Used to provide basic medical care to animals, such as administering medication, drawing blood, cleaning wounds, and monitoring vital signs. (eg: taking a temperature reading from a bird)
Nutritionist. Used to create balanced diets for animals and monitor their dietary needs. (eg: researching dietary needs for a variety of bird species)
Behavior Specialist. Used to evaluate animal behavior and develop plans to modify any unwanted behaviors. (eg: using positive reinforcement to train a parrot to talk)

Professional Organizations to Know

Association of Professional Animal Scientists
Association of Zoo and Aquarium Professionals
International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators
International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine
International Association of Pet Bird Breeders and Exhibitors
National Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators
American Association of Zoo Keepers
Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
International Society of Animal Pain Management

We also have Lodge Keeper, Museum Keeper, and Housekeeper jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Aviculture. The practice of breeding and keeping birds in captivity.
Avian Medicine. The branch of veterinary medicine that specializes in the care and treatment of birds.
Ornithology. The scientific study of birds.
Aviary. An enclosed area used to contain and observe birds in captivity.
Flight Cage. An aviary with a mesh roof to allow birds to fly freely within it.
Breeding. The practice of mating birds to produce offspring.
Hand-feeding. The practice of feeding baby birds with a tube or syringe until they are able to eat on their own.
Banding. The process of attaching an identification band to a birds leg for tracking and research purposes.
Moulting. The natural process of shedding feathers and growing new ones.
Nutrition. The process of providing birds with balanced diets for optimal health and growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bird Keeper?

Bird Keeper is a cloud-based software solution designed to help bird owners better manage their birds, their bird care professionals, and their bird-related businesses.

What features does Bird Keeper offer?

Bird Keeper offers a range of features designed to help bird owners care for their birds, including bird tracking and health records, appointment scheduling, diet and nutrition tracking, and vet visit tracking.

How much does Bird Keeper cost?

Bird Keeper offers a free basic plan and two paid plans, the Aviary plan for $9.99/month and the Flight plan for $19.99/month.

Is there a mobile app for Bird Keeper?

Yes, Bird Keeper offers a free mobile app for both iOS and Android devices.

Who can benefit from using Bird Keeper?

Bird Keeper is designed to benefit bird owners, bird care professionals, and bird-related businesses. It is also useful for anyone interested in learning about bird care and keeping up with the latest trends in the bird care industry.