All about the Birds
Talks and
feeding time fun
Come along to hear wild and wonderful facts about the characterful birds and their worlds. Talks and feeds vary throughout the year. Ask us on the day which of our birds are only too ready to catch, snatch and guzzle their food while you watch. Or check the Info Point outside Palm Café for starting times and locations.
Penguin Feeding Time
Did you know that penguins have spiky tongues? Come and find out why during their two feeding times, each and every day.
Hear about all the quirks and traits of the African and Humboldt species here at the Park, as they dive for their food at Penguin Beach and Penguin Island.
Don’t miss the aqua-batics!
11.00am at Penguin Island
3.30pm at Penguin Beach
Penguins
Penguin Island or Penguin Beach?
Two habitats for twice the fun - how do
the penguins behave differently in each?
Penguin Island was opened in 1982 by Animal Magic Legend Johnny Morris (ask your grandparents). Home to our Humboldt penguins, more than 300 penguin chicks raised here have gone on to establish and increase other captive penguin colonies all around the world. The larger, cave-loving Humboldt penguin, originally from Chile and Peru, is still classed as a vulnerable species.
Penguin Beach is the place to find the smaller, critically endangered African penguins. Opened in 2011, it was designed to recreate the biodiversity of a small island found off the coast of South Africa. Sharing the beach are a number of other coastal birds from the area, providing a fascinating glimpse into the social lives and interactions between species.
- Why do African penguins have pink eye patches?
- Can you spot Squid and her guide-penguin friend?
- Who’s building the best nest burrow this year?
Top species to spot
African penguin
Humboldt penguin
Love + Colour
Indoors, interactive and very much in lurve.
Walk through a world of vibrant love vibes. Many birds pair up for life, signalling attraction in dazzling colour. But what do they see in each other? Come and look through the eyes of the birds who only have eyes for each other.
This colourful covered space walks you through Birdworld’s remarkable breeding programmes, using hands-on play and an array of exotic species. It’s a sensorial and enchanting way to experience the sights, sounds and textures of avian affection.
Access to Love + Colour is included in your ticket - no extra cost, but you may lose your heart…
- Do birds blush?
- Are there colours we can’t see?
- What do your clothes say about you?
Top species to spot
Black-cheeked Lovebird
Lilac-breasted Roller
Luzon Bleeding Heart Dove
The Owl Academy
Woo-hoo! This way for a different class of predator.
Exactly how clever can owls be? How have they adapted to hunt and hide? This is the place to learn eye-popping facts and marvel at the mystery of these beautiful birds of prey. Guided by Professor Kettle, you’ll go on a globe-trotting trek through the species. Take a peek inside the owl pellet, and beyond, at The Owl Academy.
- Do Snowy Owls need leg warmers?
- Who’s the most silent flier?
- All owls live in trees, don’t they?
Top species to spot
Barn Owl
Burrowing Owl
Snowy Owl
Wetland Waders
& Flamboyant Flamingos
Step into serenity by the sea
Living beside the ocean sounds dreamy, doesn’t it? But imagine the challenge of catching, eating and even prising open seafood without hands or teeth. How have beaks evolved to feed on tough molluscs, tiny larvae or bristly, burrowing worms? The abundance of adaptation is a wonder on display in Wetland Waders. Walk through a stunning variety of species that skim and sift the water beside you, or swoop and soar all around you, in this truly immersive experience.
Power up on pink vibes at Flamboyant Flamingos
Playful, sweet, gentle… pink is a colour rarely celebrated in nature. Unless you’re a flamingo. If you love it too, the Pink Room is the place for you. Come and discover fun facts about these iconic birds, such as how they get their delicate hue. Beyond, you can walk through to see the flamingos in their natural environment. Take it all in and relax in the seasonal pink garden, planted to set off the birds’ natural splendour. As Audrey Hepburn once said, “I believe in pink,” and indeed we do.
- Who has the most weird and wonderful beak?
- Can you stand on one leg for a whole minute?
- Do flamingos turn other colours too?
Top species to spot
African Spoonbill
Inca Tern
Pied Avocet
Parrots and Cockatoos
What will they say next?
The clamour of cheeky whistles, quips and back-chat always draws inquisitive visitors to this part of the Park. Full of character and curiosity, these entertaining birds are easy to interact with. You’ll find they come in all shapes and sizes, and live in some very different places.
Parrots in Flight is one of Birdworld’s largest aviaries. Its free flight space is huge, allowing the parrots living here to fully stretch their wings and interact as they would in the wild. Nearby you’ll find New Zealand’s curious flightless parrot, the Kea. And keep going to have a chat with the charismatic cockatoos, who love to dance and show off in front of an audience.
- Why do parrots parrot us?
- Who likes to sleep underground?
- How is a cockatoo like a big sister?
Top species to spot
Blue-throated Macaw
Kea
Citron-crested Cockatoo
Adopt your favourite
A great way to show you care for birds, and the bird-lovers in your life. Find out what’s in an adoption pack and how you can help support avian conservation here.