Funded by CFI, the province of Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan, welcome to the the new Facility for Applied Avian Research (FAAR) at the University of Saskatchewan! 

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Accessible  to researchers in the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, the Toxicology Centre and College of Arts and Science and the larger Avian Research community across Canada, FAAR is a uniquely  designed to conduct studies on wild birds in a captive setting where we can do controlled studies in an environment adapted for species-specific needs.  Housing and research take place under one roof with both indoor and outdoor aviaries.  The facility is the only of its kind in Western Canada -  it allows researchers to link field and lab studies on birds and improves our ability to assign causation of effects of environmental stressors such as pollution.

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The facility is specifically designed for wild birds and can house a wide range of  passerines, waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors either caged or gang-housed. It has 6 large indoor climate and light controlled rooms, 12 outdoor covered aviaries including wet pens that can be flooded to create a shoreline and freshwater pond.  Special diets can be prepared on site.  FAAR has a fully equipped procedures lab for doing experimental work on research animals and processing and storing samples.  A new environment chamber is currently under construction within the facility to manipulate temperature, humidity and light over large ranges.

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For more information on getting a tour or for housing your research project in FAAR, contact the Facility Director Dr. Christy Morrissey - email: christy.morrissey@usask.ca