Sylvan Heights Bird Park in Scotland Neck, NC

Sylvan Heights Bird Park

I took a trip to the Sylvan Heights Bird Park in Scotland Neck, NC. This is an 18 acre site reported to have the largest waterfowl collection in the world. The facility has two sections, the Sylvan Heights Bird Park, and also the Sylvan Heights Avian Breeding Center.

The breeding center, not open to the public, plays a key role in maintaining the captive populations of several endangered waterfowl species. The center is also the avicultural training site for conservation-oriented avian biologists. Every year, wildlife professionals from the nation’s zoos and nature centers visit to learn advanced techniques. But the center was not a profitable operation, and in 2006, the bird park was opened. It provided an ability to educate the public and also provide supporting income, without disturbing the important nesting birds at the avian center. The bird park now receives over 40,000 visitors yearly.

The main attraction for me was the bird park. Various large aviaries, open to the public, gave me access to see the birds up close, and without any blocking cage wire. These aviaries were species arranged by the continents. The flamingo and parakeet feeding area, popular with the kids, was a place where you really get close to the birds. Many other species are on display in more traditional enclosures. Some of this fencing did have photography port holes available for additional fees beyond the admission price. They also have walking paths into wetlands to view native habitat areas. Check the about me page for the telephoto lenses I used for these pictures.

But enough of the sale pitch. Here are the pictures. I’ve arranged this first set to show some of the great variety of bird species at the park.