ABOUT BIRD KINGDOM:

Q. What can I expect at Bird Kingdom?
A. You can expect to see many, many free flying birds, making their homes in our natural environments. Many of these birds you can see eating, bathing, wrestling within a few feet of you. You can also have more interactive experiences where you feed the birds, have birds land on you or have a giant Macaw sit on your arm!

Q. Is there more than just birds at Bird Kingdom?
A. Yes, there are also other amazing creatures from the tropical parts of the world. We have saltwater fish, snakes, bats, spiders, anoles and skinks (lizards) and a bunch of other neat creatures.

Q. How long should we plan being at Bird Kingdom?
A. You should plan at least an hour to an hour and a half. That will allow you time to see most of the exhibits, stop to feed the Lorikeets, experience one of our Bird or Reptile Encounters and maybe take in a show.

Q. Isn't it hot in your tropical rainforest environment?
A. The temperature inside the Aviary is kept at a very comfortable 76 degree's (28 degrees Celcius) with normal humidity year round.

Q. We have a child in a stroller. Can we use our stroller inside the Aviary?
A. Absolutely. Our facility is stroller and wheelchair friendly throughout.

Q. Should I bring my camera?
A. Trust us when we say definitely bring a camera! However if you do forget, we sell camera's in our gift shop and our interpretive programs all have a photographer on site in case you want a super high quality keepsake.

Q.  We've heard a lot about Bird Flu on the news. Is it safe to be exposed to your birds?
A. Very valid question as the safety of our guests is of the utmost importance. The answer is you are perfectly safe. If fact, our birds stand a greater chance at catching something from you! All of birds are quarantined for a minimum of 30 days bwefore arriving at Bird Kingdom. They are also quarantined at least another 30 days when they arrive here. All our birds come with a complete medical examination and history. After they arrive here, they have no contact with other outside birds or animals. The filtration system at Bird Kingdom is state of the art and we have been recognized for the quality of our air and environmental control systems.

Q. Are your birds from the wild?
A. All of our birds were born in captivity. Bird Kingdom is extremely proactive in preserving birds natural habitats and allowing birds to be free. While it may seem like conflicting interests, many of our birds stand a better chance at survival and will live longer in this environment than they would in the wild where their habitat is threatened or being destroyed. Here they fly free, nest and breed successfully, eat a well balanced, strictly controlled diet and have lots of tree's and water and friends to enjoy.

FAQS ABOUT BIRDS

Q. I've found an injured bird. What do I do?
A. If you find an injured bird, we recommend that you contact your regional animal shelter or SPC. Also you can call your local police department (not 911) and ask for the name of a local licensed wildlife rehabilitator specially trained to care for injured birds. If you are able to locate a professional rehabilitator who will accept the bird, place it in a cardboard box, paper bag, or garbage can, depending on its size. The bird should be kept somewhere dark, quiet, and warm. Injured birds may be in shock and should ideally be in a 80-85 degree temperature range.
Bird Kingdom is unable to accept injured birds. We lack the space to house them properly and they pose a health risk to our collection. Remember - it is illegal for private individuals to possess native wild birds. In addition, caring for injured and orphaned wild birds requires special facilities and training.

Q. I've found a baby bird. What can I do to help it?
A. Most baby birds that are presumed orphaned usually aren't. To determine if the bird is simply separated from its parents, look around for the nest or the parents. If the bird has developed adult feathers, has a short tail, and is able to hop along the ground, the parents are probably nearby. The bird will probably attempt to fly again soon. Human interference may impede a valuable flight lesson. If the bird is in direct sunlight, try to move it to a shaded area. If the chick still has its soft, fluffy down feathers, try to return it to its nest. Birds have little or no sense of smell and will be unable to detect that the chick has been handled. When a bird is purposely pushed out of a nest, it may not be healthy. Adult birds can sense when a developmental problem exists. The mother will push the bird out rather than expend valuable food and energy on a chick that will not survive. It is difficult for people to determine if a bird has developmental problems simply by its appearance. If you are in doubt, please consult a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. These individuals are trained and experienced in helping orphaned and injured wildlife. Call your wildlife and game commission or police department (not 911) for information.

Q. A bird has built a nest on my front porch. What can I do?
A. During the spring, birds frantically gather twigs, grasses, hair, paper, and other materials to make their nests. Our native birds are adapted to build nests, incubate eggs, and raise their young in a very quick and efficient manner to take advantage of a short summer. Nests may be built within a few days. Depending on the species, eggs are incubated for 12-28 days. Young birds leave the nest in a few short weeks. This means their nesting cycle may take less than 2 months.
As they continue to lose their natural habitat to increasing urban sprawl, they often turn to nesting in or on human structures. If you find yourself with a nest in a potted plant, on your front door, or in an awning or gutter, you have several options. First, you can remove the nest and block the area with wire or wood to prevent the birds from returning to the same spot. Particularly, if this is done early in the summer, the birds still have time to find another location, build a new nest and raise a clutch of youngsters. You can also try moving a nest to a nearby, protected area. Often, the birds will move to this location and continue their breeding activities there. Lastly, consider living with the inconvenience for the short few weeks it will take the birds to raise their young. Watching this process will give you a fascinating glimpse into the bird world.

Q. How can I keep squirrels away from my bird feeder?
A. If you place a feeder in an area frequented by squirrels, they will assume it is their own personal rodent buffet! A war with squirrels may be trying, but you can persevere! The ideal way is to block the squirrel's access route to your feeder. Commercial "squirrel-proof" feeders are available in stores.
Hang your feeder at least five to six feet off the ground and eight feet away from a squirrel accessible tree trunk or limb. You may need to adjust your feeder's position if you encounter a squirrel with exceptional jumping ability. If you have a feeder with a seed-catching tray attachment which the squirrels are using as a landing platform, remove the tray.
You may purchase baffles - round or umbrella-shaped physical barriers that squirrels are unable to crawl over - at your local feed or hardware store. Remember it has to be big enough so that the squirrel cannot crawl over them. You may have to experiment to find the right size. If you have a pole mounted feeder, place baffles at least four feet up on the pole below the feeder.
If squirrels still manage to reach your seed, you may purchase a red-pepper packet that you mix with the seeds. The taste is unappealing to mammals, but birds can't smell or taste it. The mix is rich in vitamins A and D.
Some people become so obsessed with deterring squirrels that bird feeding becomes an unpleasant experience. We offer a simple philosophy - you can do your best to keep the squirrels away from your birdseed, but you may also enjoy these creatures for their own equally fascinating behavior.

Q. Why are there no birds at my feeder?
A. At certain times of the year, especially in late summer and early fall, you will notice that your bird feeder isn't as popular as it once was. When there is an abundance of weed seeds and berries, they do not need to come to your feeder.
It may also be the wrong time of day. After watching their feeders all day, some people will swear no birds visit. However, some birds will only come to feeders at daybreak, yet others, like cardinals, feed at dusk.
Birds routinely change their feeding behavior. Temperature, weather, time of year, and time of day all influence feeding habits. In mild weather, when wild food is plentiful, birds will use your feeder less. When they are under more pressure to find food, such as in inclement weather, they will regularly visit your feeder.
Your neighbor's feeders may also be attracting a larger audience . They may have a more appealing seed selection or a better water supply than you. Or perhaps your neighbor's feeder offers birds more protection than yours does.
Finally, you may just live in an area with a low bird population. If your yard lacks trees, shrubs, and grasses, this is not an ideal site for birds. They choose areas with abundant food, water, and nesting supplies.