The American Bald Eagle Foundation’s raptor curator is the first in Alaska and one of only 68 people in the world to become a certified professional bird trainer.
The certification will allow her to offer workshops to other Alaskan facilities and improve avian husbandry in Haines.
“I want to start raising the bar for Alaskan facilities,” Leia Minch said this week.
The International Avian Trainers Certification Board, in accordance with the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators, offer the certification. Minch said it is the first organization “to set the bar” for bird handlers.
Minch passed a 250-question multiple choice test in December at a testing center in Ketchikan to achieve the knowledge-assessed credential. Other requirements include working in a professional training position for three years and membership in the association.
Minch has worked at the eagle foundation for three years. She also served as a summer intern at the foundation in 2014, and as a raptor handler at Cascades Raptor Center in Eugene, Ore. She works extensively with the foundation’s 12 raptors to improve enrichment, husbandry, training and quality of life.
Her expertise is in “bird-first” or “animal-choice” training, Minch said, focusing on allowing a bird to choose if it wants to participate, and reinforcing positive behaviors instead of penalties.
Minch said she wanted to gain certification to prove to herself that she’s providing great care for the birds at the foundation, but professionally she wanted to show that the American Bald Eagle Foundation is serious about “empowerment” training. “I’m trying to put us on the international map,” Minch said.
Foundation executive director Cheryl McRoberts said she is “thrilled” with Minch’s accomplishment.
“(Minch) is a ‘wow’ when it comes to conversation dealing with birds and bird handling,” said foundation founder Dave Olerud. “There’s only one (certified trainer) in the whole Northwest, and she had the fruition to go out and get it.”
Minch said interns could benefit from working under a certified trainer. The foundation brings on six or more interns a year. They learn how to handle and train the birds and give presentations to guests. With her certification, Minch said she hopes to provide workshops for other Alaskan facilities on training, husbandry or enrichment and create a community among Alaskan avian trainers.
The certification lasts for five years, and members are encouraged to attend conferences and classes to maintain their status.
Minch was invited to make a presentation at the avian trainers and educators’ association’s annual international conference in Atlanta, Ga. later this month to speak about her journal article titled “Shifting Paradigms; How to Begin to Establish Choice for Avian Ambassadors.”
Minch also is certified to rehabilitate raptors and corvids under the supervision of a veterinarian or permitted wildlife rehabilitator.