The American Bird Breeder's Role in Conservation

American avian breeders can aid in the conservation of threatened species, particularly birds from tropical areas of the world. Breeders need not be confined only to those who keep and breed rare or endangered species. All breeders can be helpful, if they will but try. Criticisms From Conservationists Birdkeepers, at times, come under fire from conservationists, some of whom are adamantly opposed to the keeping of birds under aviary or almost any other conditions. Others believe captive breeding can play no part in the conservation of endangered species. These people are strongly critical of private breeders who claim their motive for breeding birds is, in fact, conservation. Christoph Imboden, director of the International Council for Bird Preservation, wrote, '' ... there is an increasingly popular notion among proponents of aviculture that captive breeding will have to play a key role in our species-conservation strategies. Many argue that we should initiate captive breeding programs not only for threatened species but also (as a precaution) for those which have not yet declined to critical status:·