Philadelphia Zoo: Snapshot #10 - McNeil Aviary Center

While I may pick a choose between things to see on any given visit to the Philadelphia Zoo, I always stop in at the McNeail Aviary Center.  I love this place.  It is not the largest Aviary I've ever been to at a zoo, I think that honor would go the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington--and of course that's not counting multi-species habitats like the Lied Jungle at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska--it is one of the most well designed and intimate in getting you up close a personal with a wide range of exotic bird species.

The interior includes a large foyer, 4 smaller enclosed habitats, 1 open medium sized habitat, 1 large open habitat and the large enclosed habitat for a pair of Rhinoceros Hornbills.  There is usually a keeper or docent present to answer questions and make sure guests behave nicely since in the largest habitat there a few barriers to stepping into the bird's spaces.  On this visit the docent was a high school student who really didn't know much about anything.  As a result I took the opportunity to point out a couple of things that I hoped would benefit her, but her people skills were seriously undeveloped, as well.  The birds were in welcome contrast not disappointing in the least. 

So less words, more birds.

The first medium size space with open viewing.

Golden-breasted Starling

Taveta Golden Weaver

Vulturine Guineafowl

The entrance into three of the smaller enclosed habitats, home to smaller members of the passerine family of birds

Guam Kingfisher (extinct in the wild)

White-breasted Laughingthrush

Bali Mynah

Oriental White-eye

Red-crested Bulbul

White-winged Wood Duck

Victoria-crowned Pigeon

Nicobar Pigeon

Chinese Pheasant

The penguin sculpture in front of the McNeil Avian Center with the Swan pond and fountain in the background.  The fountain looks like its on a island, but it's actually a peninsula that you are welcome to visit, too.