All the research carried out by the team here contributes to a growing body of knowledge about avian biology. Studies on flight dynamics, respirometry and the energetic costs of flight have been published in leading journals, and more data are being analysed for further publications providing new insights into the physiology of birds.
In my role as a technician and bird trainer( Figure 8), I am fortunate to contribute to important scientific advancements in avian physiology and conservation while ensuring the ethical treatment of the birds in our care. The research conducted at Swansea University has far-reaching implications, both for the scientific community and for the conservation of avian species facing unprecedented environmental challenges. It is a privilege to work at the intersection of science and animal care, and I remain committed to both the wellbeing of the birds and the success of the research we conduct.
Figure 8. The author pictured with a pigeon named Dougie during a training session.
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Acknowledgements
The author thanks Jemima Parry-Jones MBE, Chief Executive Officer of the International Centre for Birds of Prey in Gloucestershire( https:// www. icbp. org), for allowing photographs of her birds of prey to be used in this article.
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