The World's Largest Collection Of Rare And Endangered Waterfowl Live At A North Carolina Park

Tucked away in the quaint town of Scotland Neck, North Carolina, lies a hidden gem that beckons bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Arguably one of the best birdwatching destinations the U.S. has to offer, Sylvan Heights Bird Park is often referred to as the world's largest waterfowl park, offering visitors a unique opportunity to educate themselves in the vibrant world of avian diversity.

The park's grounds span 28 acres and are home to more than 2,500 birds from all over the world, including swans, parrots, pheasants, ducks, cranes, owls, and more. Its walk-through aviaries are continentally themed, featuring birds from North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

These aviaries are surrounded by verdant gardens, making for an immersive experience that reinforces the feeling of being in a true natural sanctuary for wildlife. The park's variety of waterfowl — some rare, some endangered — make Sylvan Heights not just a visual spectacle but a vital conservation hub, much like the Florida preserve full of wildlife that's a lot like Everglades National Park.

Beyond its visual splendor, Sylvan Heights Bird Park plays a pivotal role in the conservation of rare and endangered waterfowl, making it a sanctuary of global significance. With a mission focused on education and awareness, the park invites guests to learn about the pressing challenges these species face.

In some cases, the park functions as these species' final defense against extinction. For some types of birds living at the park, fewer than 250 individuals exist in the wild, meaning the captive breeding programs at Sylvan Heights are a precious resource that their survival depends on.

Sylvan Heights also offers an Avian Husbandry and Management Program for wildlife management professionals looking to advance their knowledge of aviculture and has a long history of collaborating with scientists on various research projects. The park's Waterfowl Conservation Workshop, an annual conference created in partnership with the International Wild Waterfowl Association, provides an essential resource for avian professionals, students, and private aviculturists.

As part of its educational mission, Sylvan Heights encourages schools to book a field trip at the park, offering guided tours for grades five and above. The park provides some great educational activities for visiting student groups, including a scavenger hunt, the Wetland Safari Challenge, and an endangered species identification search.On Saturdays and Sundays, the park offers a regularly scheduled "Keeper Talk" during which a Sylvan Heights birdkeeper provides a short presentation detailing one of the park's many bird species.

Visitors should also be sure to check out the Landing Zone, a large, free-flight aviary containing hundreds of flamingos, parakeets, and other exotic birds that you can feed by hand. Visitors can also feed endangered waterfowl in other parts of the park by purchasing bags of special pellets meant for the sanctuary's unique ducks, geese, swans, and cranes.

Sylvan Heights Bird Park makes for a fantastic getaway that's both educational and environmentally responsible. And if you're looking to continue your bird-watching adventures after you've been here, be sure to check out our list of US National Parks to visit if you want to avoid crowds and admire wildlife.