If you're looking for an avian veterinarian in your area, please check out the Association of Avian Veterinarians at www.aav.org, where you can search their database of current members or lookup a current AAV vet. Also, you may locate a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, who is "board certified" in Avian Practice.

An "avian veterinarian" is someone who is willing to treat birds; any veterinarian can call himself or herself an avian veterinarian.

A "certified avian veterinarian" or "board certified veterinarian" is a veterinarian who has received certification from the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP). Certification is given by the ABVP and includes documentation of six years of significant avian practice experience or a formal residency plus scientific papers, plus a rigorous series of examinations.

The following is required for ABVP Certification:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Synopsis Of Veterinary Practice
3. American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Avian Practice, Self-Report Job Experience Form
4. Continuing Education Documentation - document at least 90 hours of formal continuing education accumulated during the last five years prior to certification. Continuing education must support the practice category in which you seek certification. Not more than 10% of the continuing education may be in practice management.
5. Case Reports - Five original sets of two Case Reports (except as noted in Special Requirements on p. 7) must be submitted as part of the application. These Case Reports should represent different topics in your specialty category. Individual and population cases are acceptable in all practice categories. The reports should include complete and appropriate diagnostic workups and medical and/or surgical managements. Case Reports should reflect your professional expertise and demonstrate your ability to use medical principles in the diagnosis and treatment of animals. A unique diagnosis or surgical technique does not, in and of itself, make an acceptable Case Report, unless the case is managed and presented appropriately. The Case Reports represent your ability to communicate medical observations and data in an organized and appropriate manner. Errors in spelling or syntax, or failure to follow the Case Report instructions, reflect poorly on your professionalism and will adversely affect the evaluation.
6. Case Report Evaluation - To maintain anonymity in the Case Report review process, Case Reports are submitted for valuation (separate from your Application, diploma, CE documentation, practice experience, curriculum vitae and Applicant Evaluation Forms) to three Diplomates in your specialty category.
7. Applicant Evaluation Forms - Completed Applicant Evaluation Forms of acceptable performance are required from three professional colleagues (listed as References on your Application Form) who know you well and are familiar with your clinical abilities. At least one must be completed by a board-certified Diplomate of an AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty board.
   

Additional Information about ABVP Certification

1. ABVP Board Certification - Power Point Presentation
   
2. Avian Practice Study & Reading Guide - ABVP
   
3. Applicant Handbook for Board Certification - ABVP
   
4. American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Avian Examination Blueprint