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flight and demonstrated consistent improvement, proving easy to train and eager to fly. This particular bird became a valuable asset, and subsequent breeding from her line produced another excellent flyer. In contrast, another pigeon demonstrated exceptional proficiency in recall and perch-to-perch flights, allowing us to collect data on level flight speed using an overhead camera.
Breeding from the birds with desirable traits allowed us to expand our usable flock, and I have been fortunate to‘ co-parent’ with them. The adult birds showed no signs of distress when I handled their young because of the trust I had built with them. This meant the young squabs got used to the laboratory equipment and to being handled( Figure 7) from a few days of age, which reduced the likelihood of stress when they later became test subjects.
Figure 6b. A Steller ' s sea eagle( Haliaeetus pelagicus) with falconer Ashley Lawson at the International Centre for Birds of Prey.
Training, habituation and breeding.
Training birds for flight studies brings both challenges and rewards, and requires close collaboration with researchers to ensure that the birds are adequately conditioned for the specific experimental protocols. My primary responsibility is to ensure that the birds are comfortable and cooperative when performing the required tasks, whether these are for the study of flight dynamics or respirometry measurements. This can be difficult at times; the wind tunnel environment and electronic equipment are not something a bird would normally encounter, and considerable patience is needed for them to overcome their inherent neophobia.
Hand-rearing the birds and fostering a strong bond with them significantly increases their cooperation, which is primarily based on trust. To train the birds for specific tasks, positive reinforcement techniques, target training and behavioural conditioning are employed, although the approach in the lab remains largely‘ bird led’. If a bird displays reluctance or shows signs of distress, it is promptly returned to the aviary, as none of the birds are coerced into participating: without their cooperation, our research would be impossible.
Each bird exhibits unique behavioural tendencies, akin to individual personalities, with some excelling in specific tasks while struggling with others. This individuality is leveraged to optimise data collection. For example, one pigeon adapted quickly to wind tunnel
Figure 7. A day-old pigeon squab.
Collaboration and care
My background as a VN provided a solid foundation for the responsibilities of this role, and my master ' s by research degree in biosciences has allowed me to integrate into the scientific community. While studying for my master ' s, I conducted research focused on degradable materials that could be used to detach bio-logging devices from birds. This has had important implications for the field of bio-logging, as it has helped to ensure birds can shed a redundant device and return to their natural state as soon as possible after a study, minimising any adverse effects.
Working in a research setting has significantly expanded my skill set to include coding, experimental methodology, data collection, statistical analysis, research planning and project management. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role is the collaboration with the primary research team and assisting students, from undergraduates to doctoral. By ensuring the welfare and training of the birds, I play a crucial part in the success of the experiments and am valued for my opinion on health, welfare and training.
Volume 41( 4) • August 2026
57