78 Bridging the Gap: What Rehabbers Can Learn from Progressive Bird Training

78 Bridging the Gap: What Rehabbers Can Learn from Progressive Bird Training

From The Avian Behavior Podcast by Hillary Hankey

March 27, 2025 · 45 min · Season 5 · Episode 78

About this episode

Hillary Hankey interviews wildlife rehabilitator Levi Soucek about her transformative internship and insights on progressive bird training.

In this heartfelt and insight-packed episode, Hillary Hankey sits down with winter intern Levi Soucek, a wildlife rehabilitator, educator, and outreach coordinator at the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center. Levi reflects on her transformative 12-week internship at the Avian Behavior Ranch, sharing how hands-on progressive training experiences reshaped not only her approach to ambassador bird care—but also reignited her passion for the work. We explore: What it means to truly train with positive reinforcement (beyond the buzzwords) The power of choice-based training and offering degrees of freedom Levi's "aha" moments while working with challenging birds like a Great Horned Owl and Andean Condor How foundational concepts finally clicked in real time Practical takeaways she's bringing back to her rehab center—from training strategy to team communication This episode is also a reflection on team dynamics, mentorship, emotional labor in animal care, and what it means to feel valued and connected in your work. Whether you're a rehabber, falconer, educator, or companion parrot trainer, Levi's story will leave you inspired, informed, and energized to take your own training to the next…

People in this episode

Host: Hillary Hankey

Guest: Levi Soucek

Topics covered

  • wildlife rehabilitation
  • progressive bird training
  • positive reinforcement
  • team dynamics
  • mentorship
  • animal care

Keywords

  • rehabilitation
  • bird training
  • positive reinforcement
  • animal care
  • team communication
  • mentor
  • wildlife

Sponsors

Avian Behavior Lab

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center

Places: Avian Behavior Ranch, Great Horned Owl, Andean Condor

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