When visiting aviaries within the United States, you can find regional bird attractions and aviaries that feature birds not typically seen in the United States. Most aviaries not only allow you a close up view of the birds but also provide staff, programs and materials that educate visitors in matters of avian biology and conservation. Aviary websites offer out of town visitors information that will help them plan their vacation to visit the aviary.
Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the National Aviary is home to more than 600 birds that have world wide origins. Birds are located in regional exhibits that take you from the colorful birds of the tropical rain forests to the land of the bald eagles and raptures.
The National Aviary is open daily with the exception of major holidays. Interactive exhibits, a gift shop, party rental spaces, bird shows, summer camps and educational programs are available to visitors.
National Aviary
Allegheny Commons West
700 Arch Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
412-323-7235
aviary.org
The San Diego Zoo located within Balboa Park in downtown San Diego, California offers visitors six aviaries within each regional zone exhibit.
Cold water loving ducks and shorebirds can be viewed at the Polar Rim Arctic Aviary on the north side of the zoo. Travel to the northwest side of the zoo to see the five aviaries located within the Lost Forest exhibit. Here you will find the Australasian rain forest dwellers, Birds of Prey exhibit and the Owens southeast Asian rain forest birds. Additional aviaries also found in the Lost Forest exhibit are the Parker and Scripps Aviaries. The Parker aviary is the smallest of the aviaries that offers you a close up view of the birds. When you visit the African rain forest themed Scripps Aviary be prepared to watch birds take full flight.
The Hummingbird House is located in the Discovery Outpost on the far southwest side of the zoo. Hummingbirds fly in a forest of colorful tropical plants and waterfalls. The Hummingbird House is also home to some of the zoo's other small, fragile birds like the honeycreepers.
The zoo is open to visitors daily and offers restaurants, gift shops, educational exhibits, bird shows, interactive experiences, summer camps and evening activities. If you prefer not to walk between aviaries, there is a tram and zoo train that allows you to ride throughout the zoo.
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo Drive
P.O. Box 120551
San Diego, CA 92112-0551
619-231-1515
sandiegozoo.org
Billed as one of only two free standing United States aviaries, the 70-year-old Tracy Aviary is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. As of 2010, the aviary offers four bird exhibits. You can view the birds of Destination Argentina, where native Utah birds migrate during winter months. This is a free-flight aviary that houses birds from all regions of Argentina.
The Kennecott Wetlands Immersion Experience houses birds native to Utah's wetlands. These birds may be uncommon to Utah residents as only one percent of Utah's land mass contains wetlands.
The Southern Ground Hornbill habitat provides nettled enclosures that allow the exhibit to seem without boundaries. The aviary opened the South American Pavilion to showcase colorful, tropical birds.
Tracy Aviary is open everyday except Christmas and offers visitors educational, interactive and children's programs, camps, bird shows, a gift shop and rental facilities.
Tracy Aviary
589 East 1300 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84105
801-596-8500
tracyaviary.org
