Penguins at Birdworld
Birdworld is home to two penguin exhibits, Penguin Island and Penguin Beach.
Penguin Island, home to Birdworld’s colony of Humboldt Penguins was officially opened to the public in 1982 by ‘Animal Magic’ legend Johnny Morris. Since that time, Birdworld has had huge success in breeding this threatened species, with over 300 juvenile Humboldt penguins raised here, establishing and increasing other captive penguin colonies all around the world.
Penguin Beach opened to the public in 2011 and is home to our colony of endangered African Penguins. The exhibit is inspired by Robben Island, a small island found off the coast of South Africa which is also considered a biodiversity ‘hot-spot’, due to the rich assortment of plants and animals that live there. Penguin Beach aims to celebrate that diversity with a variety of coastal African bird species that also share this themed exhibit.
Who will you meet?
The two penguin species that we have at Birdworld are:
- Humboldt Penguin
- African Penguin
Penguin Island is home to our Humboldt Penguins
Humboldt Penguins can swim up to 30mph
Humboldt Penguins can swim up to 30mph
Penguin Island is home to our African Penguins
African Penguins dig deep burrows in the sand to lay their eggs
The Owl Academy
Whoo-hoo! Take a visit to the Owl Academy and for a guide you through all things owl!
Professor Kettle will lead you on an enchanting journey where you will discover the mysteries and marvels of owls from around the globe.
Who will you meet?
Some of the species living in the Owl Acadamy include:
- Snowy Owl
- Burrowing Owl
- Barn Owl
- Northern White-faced Owl
Snowy Owl have large feathery feet to help protect them from the cold
White-faced owls have large talons to help them catch their prey
Also known as ‘Ghost Owls’, Barn Owls are able to fly silently
Burrowing Owl are the only owl species to live underground
Parrots at Birdworld
Birdworld’s parrots are housed throughout the park and species can be found in all shapes and sizes.
Parrots in Flight is one of Birdworld’s single largest aviaries, and this huge free flight space allows the parrots living here to fully stretch their wings and interact with each other as they would in their wild habitats.
Our Budgies exhibit and is home to our resident Budgie flock, who also share the space with several of Australia’s other small bird species.
Built in 2019, Birdworld’s Cockatoo Aviaries displays some of the most charismatic parrot species, with our noisy Lorikeet Aviaries close by.
Who will you meet?
Some of the parrot species living at Birdworld include:
- Mitchell’s Lorikeet
- Kea
- Green-winged Macaw
- Yellow-crested Cockatoo
The Yellow-crested Cockatoo is critically endangered in the wild
Mitchell’s Lorikeets have bristles on their tongue to help them eat nectar
Found in New Zealand, Kea are the only alpine species of parrot
Green-winged Macaws have large beaks to help them open nuts and seeds
Seashore Walk & Flamingo Cove
Flamingo Cove opened in May 2015, after Birdworld received a flock of 25 Greater Flamingos from Durrell Zoo in Jersey.
Birdworld has welcomed further additions after the colony bred in 2017, and have laid eggs every year since!
Located next-door, Birdworld’s Seashore Walk exhibit is based on coastal and estuary habitats from all over the world. Seashore Walk boasts a wide variety of species flying and living together in one of Birdworld’s largest and most tranquil exhibits.
Who will you meet?
Some of the species living in Seashore Walk & Flamingo Cove include:
- Greater Flamingo
- Inca Tern
- African Spoonbill
- Pied Avocet
Flamingo Cove is home to our flock of Greater Flamingos
Greater Flamingos get their distinct pink colouring from their food
Through conservation efforts, Pied Avocet are now living wild in the UK
African Spoonbills nest on rocky ledges and reed beds
Inca Tern share their habitats with Humboldt Penguins
Threatened Species
Birdworld is passionate about bird conservation, and we are fortunate enough to house some of the world’s most threatened and endangered bird species.
In 2018, Birdworld’s Silent Forest was opened to the public. Launched to highlight BIAZA’s Silent Forest campaign, this exhibit replicates the look and feel of the vulnerable southeast Asian rainforests that these birds’ are native to. Birdworld’s Silent Forest exhibit aims to highlight the threats that these birds face in their natural habitats, including deforestation, trapping, and capture for the illegal caged bird trade.
Who will you meet?
Some of the threatened species living at Birdworld include:
- Bali Starling
- Socorro Dove
- Sumatran Laughingthrush
- Grey Crowned Crane
Home to some of the world’s most threatened bird species
The Bali Starling has been hunted to near extinction
The Sumatran Laughingthrush is endangered and is now rarely seen
Socorro Dove are completely extinct in the wild
