I feel that when it comes to parrots, which is what I'm assuming we all specifically care about, there really isn't a huge enough body of knowledge at this point IMO where one can actually claim, or even bestow, "expertise." This is probably more true when it comes to parrot behavior (of interest to us pet keepers) than breeding practices or other areas. As even Dr. Friedman is a doctor of human phychology who trains animals. Learning, or BF Skinners "operant conditioning" (ABA, positive reinforcement -or trick training) is only one sub-category of behavior. Trick training can enrich a relationship but many issues cannot be soved by it.
Behaviorists along the lines of Dr. Jaak Panksepp or Temple Grandin PhD have taken it's study farther in animals in terms of mapping it's neuro-pathways, it's genetic influence, environment, etc. They use techniques such as ESB (electrronic stimulation of the brain to bring about certain behaviors), sonogram, controlled experiments, etc. I can hardly begin to describe how interestning and enlightening their studies are. Point being there is far more that influences behavior than simply consequence. But there haven't been significant studies done on parrots to my knowledge in the above areas. Dr. Pepperberg took the "all behavior stems from consequence" idea farther and did what Skinner was largely unable to do by applying a different approach. Alex didn't learn from the consequences of his actions but from watching a model. In brief she showed that if a bird had to find out that a cat was dangerous all on it's own then there wouldn't be any birds around. That birds also learn by what others of their species are doing (avioding cats in this case). That's just one aspect....."if my flockmate is avoiding cats, I guess I should too."
For trick training, one doesn't need to go farther than a good book like Melinda Johnson's clicker training for birds for the concepts behind it. Once those are down one can revise and tweak to suit the particlar bird or circumstance. The latter is what so many courses are offering and for alot more money than the price of a book.
I feel the same way about breeding. I'm as hungry for knowledge as the next person but I don't want it to come at the expense of bringing birds into a world where there's a high probabliity they'll suffer somewhere down the line.....no way! If I had the time and money I'd like to go back to school and study a subject that I enjoy. Even change careers. It might be biology, ornithology, or some related environmental field. But, for me, a degree is something one primarily gets if they want a job in that field. It tells a prospective employer that you have met a minimum criteria of education and gives them an idea of what you know. I also feel that any educated person can buy the same textbooks and study them on their own. There's no reason one can't be very knowledgeable AND self taught. You just can't get a job that way.
If I won the lottery I'd put a large chunk into conservation. And, education along the lines of mytoos.com People need to hear the truth about parrots as a pet. One can pick up the pieces and rescue only so many while the heart of the problem persists.
