BIO437 Captive Husbandry and Reintroduction of Birds (8)

This subject focuses on the areas of ornithology associated with the husbandry of birds in captivity, especially in zoos, as well as the reintroduction of captive-raised birds into the wild. Students build on their existing ornithological knowledge and construct a single-species husbandry manual throughout the subject. Topics covered include the housing, husbandry, nutrition, diet, breeding, and reintroduction of birds, and the management of their health and wellbeing. The subject does not contain a residential school. On completion, students have an advanced understanding of the principles of zoo aviculture as well as a good understanding of the role of zoo aviculture in re-introduction programs for conservation.

Availability

Session 1 (30)
Online
Albury-Wodonga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: BIO437. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Environmental Sciences

Assumed Knowledge

Assumed to have knowledge equivalent to any Level 3 BIO subject

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to critically discuss the role of aviculture in conservation
  • be able to describe and apply appropriate captive management of birds including the principles of housing and husbandry, good nutrition and diet, breeding, and the management of health and disease, both in general and for selected species
  • be able to demonstrate specialised skills in the captive management of birds including the appropriate methods of keeping records, and the provision of avian enrichment programs
  • be able to apply specialist knowledge in the field of the care and rehabilitation of injured birds
  • be able to apply critically their skills and knowledge in order to generate a detailed husbandry manual and plan for the captive breeding of the selected species as part of a reintroduction program

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

  1. The role of aviculture in conservation;
  2. Principles of avian housing and husbandry;
  3. Principles of avian nutrition and diet;
  4. Avian breeding requirements;
  5. Specialised avian management requirements, including artificial egg incubation and hand-rearing;
  6. Methods of keeping appropriate records;
  7. Avian enrichment;
  8. Avian health and diseases;
  9. Care and rehabilitation of injured birds; and
  10. Captive breeding for conservation: avian reintroduction case studies.

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of BIO437 in Session 1 2019. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Bibliography of chosen species
20
2
Husbandry manual of chosen species
60
3
Final exam
20

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: October 2020. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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