Aviculture

Aviculture is the hobby of keeping birds as pets or breeding purposes. Maintaining environmental conditions and the animals proper food source is the interest of an aviculturist. Breeding is often the the goal of an aviculturist.

Aviculturists draw much of their knowledge from the ornithologist. The ornithologist studies birds in their natural habitat gathering a great deal of knowledge of all species and their individual habits. The aviculturist in turn studies the birds while in captivity, further increasing the knowledge of both aviculture and ornithology. In many cases public zoos usually have an avicultralist as a curator of birds.

It is not recommended that one would venture into this hobby with the intent to make money. Investments can range from a small price to many thousands of dollars. A single bird can pay off the original investment very quickly through its companionship alone. If the goal is to breed an aviculturist must maintain a surplus stock to sell or trade for new stock.