seeing Pam Clark!

[cbalvino]

I am so lucky Pam Clark bird behaviorist is speaking today in Durham,I have no idea why she is here but am thrilled to go hear her speak,Wow am I lucky or what! Pam Clark on Sun and a the York Pa show next Sat.

[birdlady49]

I've never heard of her. But I hope you enjoy visiting with her and that you'll bring home some new ideas.

[cbalvino]

google her and you'll see why i am excited it was a great time

[birdlady49]

Glad you had a great time. She appears to be the only bird behaviorist who is actually certified. I personally know some of the other "behaviorists" (quote marks are intentional) who just woke up one day and decided to become bird behaviorists. To me, some of them are downright scary.

[cbalvino]

She was very intelligent,answered ? carefully,However the talk was about plucking a subject that has no answer, no real treatment, so on that note who knows but she gave a list and basically try everything and give it time,the "mantra" of bird ownership everything is about time!

[SDavid]

"She appears to be the only bird behaviorist who is actually certified. "

I'm sure it looks nice framed and on her wall but....Is bird behavior enough of a science for one to be certified in it? Or, is it just basic knowledge plus your own common sense and experience with your individual birds.

It seems that most articles by "experts" don't really go past what you can get out of most books available at a local pet store, etc. Books that any good owner will read anyway.

I notice she doesn't mind charging quite a bit for those "consultations." Would she be worth $80.00 an hour over the phone? What do you think. Is a bird "consultant" necessary?

If so, for $80.00 and hour to talk to someone over the phone, I may be interested in a possible career change......

[birdlady49]

SDavid, I would much rather pick on the behaviorists who have no formal training and limited experience with birds. All they did was take advantage of a void in the avicultural world. Who do you think writes those books? Those same scary behaviorists.

I once told a "famous" behaviorist that anyone could hang a shingle on their door and claim to be a behaviorist. Well she didn't like that one bit. Not ONE bit.... Oh, the stories I could tell!

[SDavid]

"I would much rather pick on the behaviorists who have no formal training and limited experience with birds. "

You have my permission :)

Rather than dismiss my post as simply "picking" on someone, please be more specific in your own post. Which books are you referring to? I have several books by Nikki Moustaki for instance. Is she one of them?

And, you responded without answering any of my general questions....why? It seems that sometimes people want to jump in on what someone else says without giving their own opinion. So, tell me what you think.

Pam Clarke could be just as easily accused of taking advantage of a void...couldn't she? I'm not doing that...yet...I really am not sure. I'm just trying to get viewpoints on her profession from other bird owners. Especially since there are alot of people here with extensive experience and knowledge of their own.

[cbalvino]

Well I guess I'd have to say that I believe she does what she does because like most of us she has seen some poor bird care, she also works as a vet tech for an avian vet, it is obvious that she loves birds and has spent many years studying,and perfecting her knowledge Phoenix landing arranged for her to speak here. My avian vet also attended and although he appeared to NOT agree with all she said,I think he was fairly impressed with her knowledge, and as I said PLUCKING is a problem with no sure beginning and no sure end.Is she "worth" 80 bucks an hour? well that depends if she"cured" your bird of some behavior after all else failed than you would say YES!!!! if not then probably you would say no maybe?Like most bird owners I have had birds that have driven me NUTS(Buster comes to mind)I would spend the 80 bucks an hour if I didn't have such a great avian vet to consult with, I love Buster to death! I can't STAND his attacks on me it really hurts and draws blood! some folks spend 80 bucks for a haircut,or some other crazy thing(golf comes to mind)

[Lisa B]

there are several "behaviorists" that are certified. Liz Wilson Being one of them. Most of them listed however, I have never heard of.
this program is similar to Pijac

PIJAC Certification - World Wide Pet Industry Association

Behaviorists are there to guide you with techniques that have worked for them. Some have real experience, some just saw a void.

Its finding the right one if you have the spare funds to help with your problems you have not been able to fix. not all species react the same.

I have watched Liz Wilson for nearly 16 years and find her ways to be very good. I just met Sally Blanchard, and she seems to be very much with the same thoughts as Liz. David Layne Dicker is another who is very good and to the point, however, he does not lecture much anymore..(he was in long Island recently)

again, its finding the one that works for you regardless of name or statue.