| Looking for a fun vacation destination? Do you also | | | | Minnesota Zoo, will "awe you with their antics" and |
| want to engage your interest in birds and parrots? | | | | include "... one of the world's rarest birds, a |
| Then you've come to the right place. I've done your | | | | representative of the largest owl species in the world, |
| research for you and found the top vacation | | | | and one bird whose image is included on the official |
| destinations for pet bird and parrot lovers. | | | | emblems of twelves states". |
| The following list includes amazing aviaries and zoos in | | | | 10 Toledo Zoo - It's a small zoo but most of those that |
| the US with amazing exhibits of rare and not so rare | | | | visit the Toledo Zoo agree that it's a great zoo. The |
| birds from around the world. These vacation | | | | Toledo Zoo's Aviary was designed in 1937 and |
| destinations should be on every bird lover's vacation | | | | underwent major renovations in 1998. This is an award |
| wish list. | | | | winning aviary with a wide variety of species including |
| Do you have favorite bird related vacation destination | | | | the Rhinoceros hornbills, Cuban Amazon parrots, |
| that didn't make the list? Send Kibibi an email using this | | | | Sunbitterns, Cuban Grassquits, Victoria crowned |
| Email Link and let her know about it. This list was | | | | pigeons, and burrowing owls. |
| created in December 2008 so it may be outdated. | | | | 9 Sarasota Jungle Gardens - This vacation destination |
| Please review each sites webpage and call them for | | | | is high on anyone's list visiting the Sarasota Florida |
| the latest information. | | | | region. And for good reason! Where else can you get |
| 20 Philadelphia Zoo - Established in 1874, that makes | | | | flamingoes to eat out of your hand? The Sarasota |
| this is the oldest zoo of it's kind in the US. While the | | | | Jungle Gardens features two major bird related |
| city is known for being a tourist destination, the zoo | | | | attractions; Birds of Prey and Birds of the Rainforest. |
| isn't usually on the short list of sites to visit in Philly. But | | | | Their Birds of Prey exhibit consists mostly of rescued |
| according to many visitors, it should be. They have a | | | | birds (Hawks, Owls, Vultures etc.) while the Birds of |
| small selection of birds including Birds of Prey, Cranes | | | | the Rainforest includes a "... performing exotic bird |
| and Rails, Wading Birds, Waterfowl and other birds | | | | show with a twist." However, if your looking for a huge |
| including parrots and penquins. | | | | attraction, this won't be your favorite destination. But |
| 19 Sacramento Zoo - This is not considered a large | | | | what it lacks in size, it makes up for in quality exhibits |
| zoo by many. With just over 400 species of animals in | | | | and friendly staff. |
| total, some would actually say this is a small zoo. As | | | | 8 Busch Gardens Africa - Tampa Bay - Busch |
| you might expect, their bird and parrot selection may | | | | Gardens offers a little bit of everything for everyone |
| be considered small compared to some of the other | | | | old and young and that includes something for the bird |
| vacation destinations in this Top 20 list. However there | | | | and parrot enthusiasts. They have (8) themed parks |
| are a few species of bird on exhibit that are | | | | and one of those is the Bird Garden which has have |
| Endangered or Threatened with Extinction such as the | | | | over 500 birds from around the world which |
| American Flamingo, Button Hornbill, Great Hornbill and | | | | guarantees you'll see something of interest. So |
| the Thick Billed Parrot. So if you're in the area, it's | | | | whether it's a show at the Bird Gardens Theatre, a |
| worthy of a day visit. | | | | walk through Lory Landing or a walk through the |
| 18 Detroit Zoo - Where is the Detroit Zoo located? | | | | Aviary, you'll find something to satisfy your inner bird |
| Answer.... NOT Detroit. Okay, that was trick question. | | | | lover. |
| It's actually located in Royal Oak Michigan. The Detroit | | | | 7 Jungle Island - If location, location, location is important |
| Zoo has a variety of bird species throughout the park. | | | | then this is your destination. Jungle Island is located (can |
| They specialize in flamingos, storks, spoonbills and | | | | you guess?) on an island! Jungle Island is located on an |
| vultures. They also have cranes, barn owls, ratites | | | | island between Miami and Miami Beach. This Island |
| (ostriches and rheas) and a number of other bird | | | | park has more than 1,100 exotic birds. You and your |
| species. The more popular bird habitats at the Detroit | | | | kids can get up-close and personal with some of their |
| Zoo are the African Waterhole and the Matilda Wilson | | | | birds by having parrots perch on your shoulders. But |
| Free-Flight Aviary which has over 30 species of birds. | | | | according to at least one visitor this 'hands-on' |
| 17 Lowry Park Zoo - Lowry Park Zoo is a located on | | | | experience will cost you! |
| 56 acres of land in Tampa Florida. It was once | | | | 6 Tracy Aviary - The Tracy Aviary has been around |
| recognized (2006) as the "Number One Family-Friendly | | | | since 1938 when it was created from a charitable act |
| Zoo in the U.S." by Child magazine. So the kids loved it | | | | by banker Russell Lord Tracy when he donated his |
| but will the bird lover? That depends on who you ask. | | | | private bird collection to Salt Lake City. Located just |
| According to Yahoo Advisor, this site only gets a 3.5 | | | | south of downtown Salt Lake City, this aviary is an |
| out of 5.0 rating. Most complaints are about the price | | | | excellent vacation destination. It is home to than 500 |
| tag because it's a "Pay As You Go" atraction. Though | | | | birds from 150 species and you'll get the opportunity to |
| not much better, Trip Advisor rates it as a 4.0 out of | | | | encounter them up close and personal. This should be |
| 5.0. One featured attraction, Spirits of the Sky, is "an | | | | on any bird lover's short list of vacation destinations. |
| interactive and entertaining show that features birds of | | | | 5 Parrot Mountain and Gardens - If your looking for a |
| prey" according to the Lowry Park Zoo. | | | | 'Bird's Only' attaction, this may be your destination of |
| 16 Oakland Zoo - This zoo is conveniently located near | | | | choice. Parrot Mountain is located.... wait for it.... on a |
| the highway and tucked into a hilly wooded area. | | | | MOUNTAIN! This is a beautiful outdoor attraction |
| There are dozens of species of birds at the Oakland | | | | featuring several parrot species from around the |
| Zoo from the African Pied Crow to the Yellow-Naped | | | | world. This is an absolute MUST-SEE according to |
| Amazon Parrot. This site received a 4.5 Stars (out of | | | | many visitors. It features outdoor caged exhibits as |
| 5) on Yahoo Travel. The only complaint seemed to be | | | | well as macaws and cockatoos on perches for visitor |
| that it was a small zoo. While it may be small, most | | | | interaction and feeding (for a fee of course). |
| visitors agree that this will be a good zoo experience | | | | According to one visitor "The bird nursery was an |
| especially for children. | | | | amazing exhibit unlike any exhibit found in any zoo!" |
| 15 Buffalo Zoo - According to this is the 3rd oldest zoo | | | | 4 Houston Zoo - Even though it's located in the heart |
| in the US! And according to at least one of its visitors | | | | of the city, you'll lose yourself once inside and forget all |
| "The Buffalo Zoo has to be one of--if not the cleanest | | | | about the bustling city outside. The Houston Zoo has |
| and nicest zoos." While it doesn't have large selection | | | | approximately 250 species and 800 specimens of |
| of birds to view, it does have some unusual birds that | | | | birds from around the world. These species include |
| you'll want to view. These include a Bourke's Parrot, | | | | everything from the familiar Green-winged, |
| Cloncurry Parrot, and (9) different species of Lories | | | | Blue-and-Gold, and Red-fronted Macaws to more |
| and Lorikeeets. | | | | exotic birds like the King Vulture and Turacos. You've |
| 14 Knoxville Zoo - Some of you may recognize one of | | | | probably never heard of Turacos but you'll want to |
| Knoxville Zoo's most famous avian residents: Einstein. | | | | see them. They have a unique color that isn't found |
| Einstein and 'his' trainer have appeared on many | | | | anywhere else in the animal kingdom. Is it odd behavior |
| television programs and a quick search for "Einstein" | | | | you're looking for? How about the Blue-crowned |
| on YouTube will give you some great results. But is | | | | Motmot? This is a small jay-sized bird with a long |
| Einstein big enough to attract you to a small zoo? | | | | racquet-tipped tail that excavates long tunnels in the |
| Maybe not but at least a few visitors and a lot of | | | | ground or earth-banks for their nests. |
| locals agree that the Knoxville Zoo is the perfect sized | | | | 3 Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden - This is the |
| zoo for a day visit. Besides, how can you leave | | | | second oldest zoo in the US. It has over 100 species |
| Einstein's home off any Top 20 list of bird related | | | | of birds and a wide selection of parrots (over 25 |
| vacation destinations? | | | | parrot species at last count). Does size matter to you? |
| 13 Louisville Zoo - The Louisville Zoo is a large but well | | | | They have some of the largest birds in the world |
| planned zoo so plan on doing some walking. It's also | | | | (Andean Condor) and the largest bird in the kingfisher |
| built on a hill side so some of your walk will be uphill so | | | | family (Kookaburra). Just be sure to hold your ears |
| plan your path ahead of time. One main attraction for | | | | around the Kookaburra, not because it eats ears but |
| bird lovers is Lorakeet Landing where you feed the | | | | because it's well known for it's LOUD calls. Too loud or |
| birds (for a fee) from a cup of sugar water. The staff | | | | large for your interests? Then maybe you and your |
| is also more than happy to take your picture with the | | | | kids will love the Lorikeet Landing where you become |
| birds to create a keepsake (for a fee of course) to | | | | the 'landing'. |
| take with you. | | | | 2 San Diego Zoo - This is a world class zoo known |
| 12 Franklin Park Zoo - Franklin Park Zoo was founded | | | | around the world but is it a bird enthusisasts |
| in 1913 and covers 72-acres in Boston's historic Franklin | | | | destination? According to many visitors, the answer is |
| Park. Their Bird's World exhibit has been there since | | | | a resounding "YES!" The Macaws in the Childrens Zoo, |
| the beginning of Franklin Park in 1913. It has seen many | | | | the Flamingo Lagoon, and the Wings of Australasia |
| changes throughout the years and is still the favorite | | | | exhibit are all guaranteed to ignite the bird lover inside |
| exhibit of many visitors. It's home to dozens of species | | | | you. Is that not enough? How about the Owens Rain |
| of birds from around the globe from many habitats | | | | Forest Aviary that offers bird lovers an up-close and |
| including swamps, scrublands, and wetlands. A unique | | | | personal look at more than 200 feathered friends |
| exhibit is the Night and Day exhibit, featuring tawny | | | | representing 60 species and about 180 birds. This |
| frogmouths which are nocturnal. So to accomodate | | | | vacation destination should be on every bird lover's list. |
| visitors they've switched day and night? But how is | | | | 1 National Aviary - This historic aviary may be small in |
| that possible? when the exhibit opens at 10 a.m., it is | | | | area but it packs a LOT of variety in that small |
| dark inside and thus "night" to the birds. Then around 2 | | | | package. There are several walk-through indoor |
| p.m. the exhibit fills with light to simulate "day". This is a | | | | aviaries and glass observation cages. Don't forget to |
| big secret so don't tell the tawny frogmouths. | | | | check their schedules because they have hourly |
| 11 Minnesota Zoo - This is a large zoo covering more | | | | interactive demonstrations with different live species |
| than 500 acres. It's focus is on recreating natural | | | | throughout the day and scheduled lectures on different |
| habitats. But according to more than one visitor, they | | | | species. Plan on taking a lot of pictures and spending |
| don't focus on keeping prices down. While others | | | | several hours enjoying the large variety of species, |
| agree that it is very pricey, they also say that it's worth | | | | daily events, special events and interactive encounters. |
| it. One main attraction for bird lovers is the World of | | | | This bird related vacation destination is a must-see for |
| Bird Shows. The birds in this show, according to the | | | | every bird lover. |