Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Commonly available birds may include:
Budgerigar
Canary
Cockatiel
Duck
Finch
Grass Parrot
Pigeon
Quail
Rainbow Lorikeet
Ringneck Parakeet.
Behavioural characteristics may include:
behaviour characteristics can vary according to:
the breeding season
the species, breed, age and sex of the birds
the time of day or night
behaviour characteristics associated with different species:
activity levels, at certain times of day or night
feeding, foraging and nesting
fight or flight
social interaction
feeding behaviours
defensive behaviour:
defending territory, other birds or food
aggression or hiding/retreating.
Colours, markings and other identifying features may include:
age, sex and size
feather colour and colour pattern and texture
eye colour
gender and mutation differences
markings, patterns and permanent scars
microchip, tattoos and markings and leg bands.
Indicators of bird comfort and normal behaviour may be identified through:
daily observation and visual examination is the best way to establish the appearance of a healthy bird and at the same time allows detection of changes from normal. These observations will include:
activity level
assessment of body condition
excessive self-scratching or self-mutilation
feather plucking
posture and attitude
response to stimuli
appetite and dietary history
observing feathers and faecal matter for any abnormalities.
Housing design and environmental factors may include:
environmental:
biological control of waste
cleaning routines and methods
correct humidity levels
day/night cycle lighting
drainage and weather protection
general bird housing security
housing furniture
ventilation, temperature, heating and cooling requirements
housing design:
housing options:
indoor
outdoor
free flight
aviary
walk-through
housing requirements:
brooders and perches
compatibility of species housed together
food and water distribution
location considerations
longevity and sturdiness of materials
maintains ambient temperature conditions for the specific species
required floor area, vertical and/or horizontal space for specific species
security considerations
suitability for specific species
species-specific options for birds to hide or rest
substrate appropriate to the specific species
designs that allow species-specific activity, feeding or socialising
social options:
solitary
pairs
single sexed groups
polyandrous/polygynous groups
mixed species.
Enrichment needs may include:
food or food-related enrichment:
extras to daily base diet:
fruit and vegetables
mixed prepared treats
pellets
worms and insects
giving birds opportunities to scratch and forage for food on the ground
giving birds food that requires processing (e.g. breaking nuts open for food)
operant feeders
physical enrichment items:
chewing materials
hollow logs and branches
mirrors and toys
nest-boxes and building material
perches, roosting shelves and brooding sites
plants and foliage
ponds and/or muddy areas large enough for bathing
retreats
rocks or artificial rocks
shredded paper or leaf litter
sufficient space for running or flying activity
social enrichment:
interaction with other birds or animals that personalities match and enjoy each other's company
levels of contact with other birds of the same species or breed.
Welfare of animals requirements may include:
adequate housing, nutrition, water (fresh and clean) and stock levels
compliance to appropriate state or territory legislation and regulations
enrichment opportunities
the absence of pests and vermin
the compatibility of species and breeds.
OHS risks when working with animals may include:
animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuries
biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal
handling of chemicals and medicines
gas leakage
inhalation of aerosol particles
intraocular contamination
manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting
needle pricks and cuts from other sharps
release of infective agents (animal and human)
slippery or uneven work surfaces
zoonoses.
Equipment used to catch, handle and restrain birds may include:
animal handling gauntlets
catching nets
gloves
hood or dark cover
towel or paper towel.
Methods used to approach and handle birds may include:
confining to small area before attempting to catch
encouraging bird to approach by offering a treat
enticing bird into a smaller enclosure
handling techniques for birds should always consider the most appropriate technique to minimise stress and any accidental injuries.
Common health issues may include:
behavioural disorders
environmental hazards:
exposure to the elements
inadequate activity
temperature extremes
ventilation
feed-related, caused by no fresh and clean water or access to daily base food (e.g. finches having a container full but not digging past the husks)
infectious diseases caused by:
bacteria, virus, fungus and mould
internal and external parasites
non-infectious diseases:
chemical toxicities and allergies
genetic disorders
metabolic
neoplastic
nutritional imbalances and disruptions
physical traumas.
General health maintenance and preventative treatment may include:
routine health check-up
control of internal parasites
insect control both on bird and in environment
temperature, heat and light requirements for specific species
quarantine/isolation
routine observation of waste elimination and faecal examination
clean and appropriate dry formulas
water quality.
Digestive system features may include:
anatomical features:
mouth structures
digestive chemicals and bacteria
alimentary canal and stomach
intestines, rectum and cloaca
physiological features:
eating processes
nutrient requirements, absorption and storage methods
waste elimination
feeding patterns and natural dietary requirements for individual species
potential digestive system malfunctions or problems
water needs.
Food source considerations include:
diets created to fulfil the known dietary requirement of the particular species
food sources:
seeds, pellets and powders
fruits and vegetables
grasses and nuts
worms and, insects, fruits, vegetables, nuts and grasses
dietary supplements.
Feeding hazards may include:
animal movement and handling
shelf life of foodstuffs
manual handling and general food preparation, storage and distribution equipment
contamination of foodstuffs from vermin, bacteria, fungus, virus and other sources
organic and other dusts
excessive noise
possibility of zoonotic infection.
Documentation on the care and management of birds may include:
accident and incident records
chemical and veterinary supplies register
detailed and accurate records for each bird:
species and sex of bird
identification and history
feeding, health and treatment records
diary, rosters and task completion and timeframe records
equipment use, damage and repair register
OHS safe work method statements, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and other records
provisions records of current stock and items used and items required
stock control records:
bird stock
supplies and equipment stock.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
identify the specific characteristics and needs of birds and apply these to the best practice industry standard of housing, socialising, feeding and health management
classify and identify birds by age, sex, condition, colours, markings and other identifying features using industry terminology
safely and humanely catch, handle and restrain birds
report and document treatments, behaviours and other information on individual birds in accordance with animal welfare regulations, industry standards and workplace protocols and procedures.

The skills and knowledge required to provide basic care of birds must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will most appropriately be assessed against the types of processes required in the industry sector in which candidates are working or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces can include animal shelters or rehabilitation organisations, pet shops, breeding establishments, zoos, veterinary practices or similar workplaces.

There must be access to a range of birds as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence. Assessment must cover a minimum of three commonly available bird species.

Method of assessment
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and responsibilities over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
third-party evidence
workplace documentation
portfolio.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).