The Federation has a number of schemes that it runs, The Exchange and Mart which is a list of birds that aviculturists wish to exchange, sell, or require, anyone can place birds on the list but they have to be members of the Federation to receive the list, Zoos and Bird Gardens use the list quite regularly
The Breeding Co-ordinators scheme whose purpose is to form groups of aviculturists working together keeping and breeding particular species of birds. This is run by the Secretary, One group that started now has formed the Turaco Society, another group that is growing strongly is the Blue Waxbill group.
The Breeding Census Scheme is that each year a census of birds bred is collated into a book which shows the breedings for the last four years. The Breeding Census book is sent to all participants and to members of the Federation (copies of the Breeding Census Book may be obtained from the Secretary). The main worry by Aviculturists is their name and address being published but the book only publishes the name and county in the rear section and are in alphabetical order so the participants cannot be associated with the birds that have been bred.The Breeding Census Scheme is operated by Mr Reuben B. Girling, 11 Deramore Drive, Badger Hill, York .YO10 5HW The Breeding Census book is now registered with the British Data Library and copies sent to them when produced.
The Breeding Loan Scheme is a three page document for use when loaning out birds, in which one page is kept by one keeper, the other keeper has the second page, and the third page held by the Federation Secretary in case of a dispute. These forms are used quite regularly by Bird Gardens and can be obtained from the secretary free of charge.
The Federation asks all Associations and Societies to think seriously about affiliating as this is the only way we can go to government bodies with your problems as one body for the foreign bird fancy. These days government bodies invite the Federation to meetings whereas in the past we had to push our way onto meetings, this shows that we are being recognised as the “Governing body” of the Foreign Bird Fancy.
The care and administration of the Foreign Bird Federation is in the hands of a council which comprises of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Exchange & Mart Officer, Breeding Census Officer, plus 12 other council members made up from the Delegates from the Associations and Societies that are affiliated to the Federation. At the Annual General Meeting held in May, Associations and Societies are entitled to send two delegates to vote on issues that are raised and also to elect the forthcoming years council. National Associations and Societies automatically have one delegate appointed to the council and the rest of the council is made up from the delegates. Any one can attend the A.G.M. but only delegates and members can vote. Council members can be nominated by post and do not have to be in attendance at the A.G.M. to be elected onto the council. The council also has the power of co-option.