Each morning the keys can be collected from a member of staff, which should be used to unlock all areas of the bird section. A piece of fruit is prepared and hand fed to each macaw and amazon, as they do not receive their morning diet until after the presentation. To prevent cross contamination and disease spread, it is protocol to only wear uniform on site. To support this, footbaths are also provided around the park and need to be refreshed daily.
For each part of the bird section there’s different cleaning equipment available. For the macaw and amazon enclosures, these are situated within the area of the double door system. Each area is scrubbed and washed with water, ensuring that no faeces or uneaten food is left behind. Their water bowls and baths also have to be thoroughly disinfected, cleaned and refreshed. Once the area is cleaned, a squeegee is used to remove excess water from the floor. It should be ensured that each individual padlock is locked when leaving the enclosures.
The diet sheets are referred to for each species, ensuring the fresh fruit and vegetables are prepared to an appropriate size in relation to the bird’s mouth (don't forget the bali starling!). Each bird has an individual bowl with their name on to prevent cross contamination and to aid correct feeding if a specific diet alteration is required for an individual. The food is provided to each bird after the presentation. Prior to visitor arrival at the presentations, the music should be turned on and everything put in place (perches, rewards and props). During each presentation, the presenter requires additional assistance to reward perched birds for their correct behaviour, as well as positioning the props at the right times during the routine. The necessary birds need to be transported on and off stage depending on which routine is being carried out.
Before leaving, it should be ensured that all areas of the bird section are locked. This includes: the aviary, each enclosure, the music box and kitchen, ensuring that the keys are then returned to the office or appropriate member of staff. All interns are required to change out of uniform at the end of the day before leaving the marine park. Uniform should remain on site at all times, except when washing is necessary. Following the afternoon diet sheets, accurate quantities of pellets and fresh food is measured out for each individual. The little birds should also receive a portion of bird seeds and pellets. These are then fed to the birds at 3:30pm.
Two ringneck parakeets, four monk parrots and two greencheeked conures, referred to as the ‘little birds’ are kept in temporary cages. These require a daily full clean, which includes changing the newspaper, removing uneaten food and replenishing water bowls.
The keepers use any spare time to carry out training techniques, primarily positive reinforcement. This time is best spent, observing the techniques and asking relevant questions to develop own experience and knowledge. As well as, creating various types of enrichment, using rope, cardboard boxes and natural substances.
At the end of each presentation, the presenter introduces the activities that are held within the aviary, these consist of hand feeding and photo opportunities with a range of small parrots (budgies, cockatiels, lovebirds and java sparrows). Before unlocking the doors for the public, the feed and money containers should be collected from the office. Each cup of seeds is sold for €1, however members of the public can enter free of charge if they do not wish to feed the birds. A health and safety talk is provided for all visitors prior to entrance. Once there are no visitors left within the aviary, husbandry protocols are carried out.