Dick Schroeder has kept and bred birds for about 30 years. Although Dick had kept a variety of native birds and other animals while
growing up in Southern California, it wasn't until he had been married for a number of years and had a home of his own, that the collection changed from "keeping: to breeding. Beginning as many of us did with the prolific zebra finches, then soon turning to breeding lovebirds. The lovebirds evolved into other small hookbills which in turn evolved into breeding lories. Since lories are often referred to as "softbilled parrots" it was a natural progression into "real" softbills.
Schroeder's avian collection contains nearly 200 individual specimens, of which only a handful eats seed; a few ringneck mutations, and a few endangered Amazons. Most everything else is a lory or softbill. Dick has been involved with bird clubs for nearly as long as he's kept birds. First, with a couple of local clubs, the South Bay Bird Club, and the Long Beach Bird Breeders. He held a variety of offices in both organizations. He joined AFA in its second year of existence. Dick has served on the AFA board as State Coordinator and as a delegate for a number of different groups. Schroeder has been awarded two Avy Awards. One, a service award for his work with the Los Angeles Avian Council which changed the bird keeping laws in the city of L.A. and the other, a first breeding award for the Fairy Lorikeet. Dick has served in nearly every board position for the Avicultural Society of America (ASA), including two terms as President, and was awarded a lifetime membership. He was a founding member of the International Softbill Society. Also he serves the International Loriinae Society as Vice President and is a Director for the American Lory Society. Other memberships include the AZA (American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums), ISZ (International Society of Zooculturists), and a director for MAP (Model Aviary Program). Dick is a participant in several studbooks, including the Rothchild's (Bali) Mynah, Cuban Amazon, and Toco Toucan. He is also a co-operator of two lory consortiums. Dick has written articles on aviculture and on specific species of birds for a number of publications including; Watchbird, Bird World, Birds USA, ASA Bulletin, and several club newsletters. He currently writes a monthly column for Bird Talk. Dick moved to his home in the "country", in January, 1992. He has 3 grown sons, and 6 grand children. He runs his bird feed supply company, Cuttlebone PLUS, which also manufactures AVICO Specialty Diets, in San Marcos, California. with the help of youngest son, Brett. |
810 North Twin Oaks
Valley Road, #131, San Marcos, CA 92069
Phone: 760- 591-4951 Fax: 760- 591-4556 Order
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