Mike Lubbock instructs intern from Jurong BirdPark

The Sylvan Heights Avian Husbandry & Management Program is designed for zoo and wildlife management professionals (or equivalent experience) who desire to increase their knowledge and proficiency in aviculture. The program is conducted at Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Center in Scotland Neck, North Carolina, and was designed by the Center's Director, Mike Lubbock, incorporating his innovative and highly successful techniques in avian breeding and care. Graduate comments

The Avian Program may be beneficial to zoo and wildlife professionals who desire to receive advanced avicultural training, continuing education, or to broaden their career experience. (Non-professionals who desire to work with birds or learn about waterfowl husbandry should see our Volunteer Program.)

The Sylvan Heights Avian Husbandry & Management Program is primarily for individuals who are already experienced in working with captive wildlife in general or birds specifically. It is designed to provide a broad range of instruction in waterfowl aviculture, as well as specific techniques that may or may not be used at other institutions, such as zoos. In order to accomplish this goal, we use an immersion instruction method (considered by numerous educators to be the most successful) that occurs on the grounds of the Avian Breeding Preserve. The method includes directive instruction, interactive questioning, repetition through practical application, and additional Q&A in the evening after completion of the day’s activities. The only form of passive instruction is from the highly acclaimed Avian Husbandry Manual, written by Sylvan Heights’ founder, Mike Lubbock, which is given to interns when they arrive at Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Center.

                                                                                                                 

The program offers interns the opportunity to work side by side with Mike Lubbock, considered by many to be the world’s foremost authority on waterfowl husbandry. There is also time available to work with Sylvan Heights' Curator of Aviculture, Nick Hill, who has earned a highly respected reputation internationally for his knowledge in egg hatching techniques.

Program Description:

Participants are given intensive, hands-on training in captive breeding and management of Anseriformes, including:

Avicultural Management
Aviary Design & Requirements
Nesting Habitat
Egg Handling
Incubation Techniques
Sexing
Rearing Techniques
Veterinary Care & Bio-Security
Nutritional Requirements
Bird Identification / Behavior / Conservation

Although Anseriformes are a specialty, other birds such as cranes, parrots, and pheasants also reside at the Center and may be included in the curriculum when requested in advance by the applicant or institution.

Nick Hill (left) working of bird with intern from Central Park Zoo

Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a Certificate of Proficiency in Avian Husbandry

& Management from Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Center. Participants also receive a copy of the Avian Husbandry & Management Manual, which is exclusive to those attending the Avian Program. The Avian Manual contains information attained during Mike Lubbock's 45 years of avicultural experience. Combined with the Program's hands-on training, the Avian Manual unveils the secrets for successful waterfowl breeding and care.

Program Schedule:

The program sessions are one or two weeks, primarily between April and August when waterfowl breeding is at the highest level. Specific time frames may be required if certain species have been selected to be studied. Space in each session is limited.  2008 Session Schedule


Program Requirements:

18 years of age
Capable of lifting 50 lbs.
Able to work outdoors in a rustic environment
Assist staff with the morning care and maintenance routine at the Center
Must have your own health insurance
Must provide your own transportation to and from the Center
One and two-week stays available

Sylvan Heights will provide housing and meals for those who have been accepted in the program and continue to meet the program requirements.


Major Biological Institution Participants

During recent years, interns at Sylvan Heights have come from many of the finest biological institutions

in the nation, including:

Akron Zoo
Baltimore Zoo
Birmingham Zoo
Brevard Zoo, Florida
Brookfield Zoo, Chicago
Bronx Zoo
Busch Gardens Tampa
Central Park Zoo
Denver Zoo
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Georgia Southern University, Center for Wildlife Education
Fort Worth Zoo
Front Royal Conservation Research Center, Virginia
Jurong BirdPark, Singapore
Knoxville Zoo
Milwaukee County Zoo
Montgomery Zoo
National Aviary
New England Aquarium
North Carolina Aquariums
North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
North Carolina Zoological Park
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Tacoma, Washington
Prospect Park Zoo, New York
Racine Zoo
Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Syracuse, New York
Palm Beach Zoo
Saint Louis Zoo
SeaWorld San Antonio
SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld San Diego
Smithsonian National Zoo
Zoo Atlanta

 

Comments from 2007 graduates of the Avian Program

Brookfield Zoo

SeaWorld SanDiego

Jurong BirdPark

Comments from previous Sylvan Heights interns

Request additional information on the Avian Program.

Intern from SeaWord San Diego netting bird