Bird training can fall into the companion animal or the wild animal group. Background experience that would be helpful for a position in this area include courses or knowledge in behavioral psychology, animal behavior, public speaking, communications, education, and theater. They also perform a variety of other roles. Trainers will act as animal handlers or kennel attendants too, since they need to maintain a healthy environment for the animals they are working with. Record keeping, developing programs, and training the animals, as well as teaching others how to train, are some of the required roles.
Different roles have different titles according to the facility or business.
Apprentice Trainer, Associate Trainer, and Senior Trainer are terms used to describe some of those roles. These change with experience, skill, and the types of animals worked with. Academic training is usually a minimal Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred in psychology, or biology related areas of study. Each state will license certain programs according to the specialty and breed or species of animal. Good health and athletic fitness are mandatory.