Abstract
In the last issue you got a sense of
how much joy I had in participating
in the AFA convention. In this issue we
hope to convey some of the glowing
pleasures and sense of growth others
got from the same convention.
One of the many highlights we all
like is the recognition various folks
receive for having done good things in
aviculture. The AFA has for many years
given the prestigeous AVI Awards to a
select few persons who have done
more than their share to enhance various
aspects of American aviculture.
U.S. First Breeding Awards are given
to the individual or organization which
is responsible for breeding a species or
subspecies of bird hitherto not bred in
the United States. The dynamics
behind these first breedings are very
convoluted and complicated and cannot
be predicted by formula. But it is
to the great advantage of aviculture
that there are zoos and private breeders
who are constantly working with
difficult birds. These birds are generally
an expense, not an asset. Those persons
and institutions listed below have
had good luck, good technique, perseverence
and dedication in their avicultural
efforts. The AFA honors them for
their first breedings. These AVI Awards
were presented by Dale Thompson,
Chairman of the Awards Committee, at
a fine Friday luncheon that was one of
the highlights of the whole convention.
Awards went to:
The Toledo Zoo, for the Red-throated
Gaudy Barbet, Megalaima mystacophanos
hatched 6 September 1992.
Stash Buckley and Carol Anne Calvin
for the Pin-tailed Nonpariel Parrot Finch,
Erythura prasina hatched 7 July 1989.
The Houston Zoological Gardens
for the Crowned Hornbill, Tockus
alhoterminatus that hatched on 17
September 1993.
In addition to the first U.S. breeding
awards, AVI Awards are also given to
the two authors whose Watchbird articles
have been deemed the best during
the preceeding calendar year. These
awards are of necessity somewhat
subjective but a panel of skilled and
astute judges come to as fair and unbiased
a decision as can be made.
For 1994 one award went to Josef
lindholm ill for "Focus on Finches ... Buffalo
Weavers" WatchbirdMarch/ April 1994.
The second award went to Les
Gibson for "Breeding the Brownbacked
Solitaire" Watchbird Sep!Oct
1994.
Our great appreciation for the work
and talent displayed by these two
excellent gentlemen and for their top
notch contributions to the literature of
modern aviculture.
There were many other special
awards presented by President
Desborough to folks who have been
especially helpful within the AFA.
These are the unsung heroes of our
organization. This time, however,
President Desborough sang their praises
and bestowed well deserved honors.
We all enjoyed the laughter and tears of
the emotional handshakes and embraces.
There is always so much going on at
an AFA convention that we can't hope to
convey the whole impact in these pages.
You really have to be there to appreciate
it. Dianne Livengood has published
in this issue a bit of her convention
experiences. Be sure to read her article.
She does a good job of explaining
why one should attend AFA conventions.