Niagara Falls Video of the Day: A tour of the Bird Kingdom
From Youtube user: virtuousity1
Added: June 22, 2008
“Bird Kingdom Niagara Falls is the worlds largest, indoor, free flying Aviary. Located on the scenic Niagara Gorge, a few minutes from the Falls, Bird Kingdom hosts a diverse collection of over 500 birds representing nearly 80 species from around the world, many of them threatened or critically endangered in the wild. Bask in the marvels of nature as one walks among 35 foot tall palm trees, a 40 foot waterfall and hundreds of unique birds from around the world! Open daily 10:00am to 5:00pm
Simply marvellous according to Debbie. A favorite attraction among locals and tourists alike.”
Printed from the Review
Exhibit’s creepy, crawly critters really just ‘friendly little guys’
JOHN LAW
Monday, March 05, 2007 – 02:00
Local News – Jennifer Anderson doesn’t have a problem with the creepy crawlys at work. As long as they’re behind glass.
Right now, the black, 12-inch giant African millipede is definitely not behind glass. It’s in the hands of seven-year-old Grace DiDomenico as she poses for a photo.
“If she drops it… I will run out the back,” Anderson says with a nervous laugh.
As gruesome as it looks, the millipede is a model tenant at the Bird Kingdom (formerly Niagara Falls Aviary). It’s quiet, easy to care for and minds its own business. It’s certainly not the villain from that infamous urban legend, in which a millipede crawls into someone’s ear while he’s sleeping and starts eating his brain.
“No, no, no … not these guys,” says reptile and amphibian handler Susan Charlton.
“They’re friendly little guys. Very peaceful.”
The millipede is one of the star attractions of the Bird Kingdom’s newest exhibit, spotlighting nature’s creepiest critters.
Opening Friday, it adds scorpions, toads and giant cockroaches to go along with a collection that already includes a bird-eating spider, fruit bats and rat snakes. They’re all found in the nocturnal section, which you walk through before entering the actual aviary.
It’s a bonus that catches some people off guard, says Anderson.
“People love it. I mean, some people have their phobias and things. But not a lot of people know about this section, so it’s kind of a surprise for them.
“They really think they’re just coming to see birds.”
Once your eyes adjust to the darkness, the nocturnal section might dispel some nightmares. The Egyptian fruit bats are actually cute and docile, and great fun to watch during feeding time.
The rat snake barely moves … so long as there isn’t a rat nearby. And the Madagascar hissing cockroaches would be the hit of any party.
Even the four emperor scorpions are more bark than bite. Their sting is no worse than the average bee’s.
“Watch what happens when I do this,” says Charlton, reaching behind the display case to turn on an AV light. Suddenly, the scorpions are as blue as berries.
Finding the Vietnamese mossy frogs takes some work. But their camouflage is so good, they’re usually right in front of you.
“Their whole life is just eating … their whole defence is camouflage,” she says. “They’ve got nothing else going for them, pretty much!”
The frogs have it good, she adds. Their water is tepid just as they like it, and even the crickets they eat are coated with vitamins first.
“Kind of like shake and bake,” says Charlton.
The new nocturnal residents will greet visitors in time for March break. A room is also being prepared for daily bird training demonstrations, leading to the debut of this spring’s free-flight exotic bird show.
“You know,” says Anderson, “this is a great place to work.”
Bird Kingdom hours during March Break are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission cost $14.95 for adults, $9.95 kids. The attraction is located at 5651 River Rd.
jlaw@nfreview.com Visit us on the web at www.niagarafallsreview.ca
ID- 430211
© 2007 , Osprey Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Niagara Falls Review acticles reprinted with permission by the authority of Joe Wallace, City Editor of the Niagara Falls Review.
Printed from the Niagara Falls Review
‘Curious’ bird lands at city aviary
ALISON LANGLEY
Thursday, November 16, 2006 – 02:00
Local News – Vivian has flown the coop and landed in Niagara Falls. The 211/42-foot tall Victoria crowned pigeon is the latest addition to Bird Kingdom Niagara Falls.
Vivian is on a short-term loan from the Toronto Zoo, and will live at the Niagara Falls aviary until she is assigned a new home in the United States.
Crowned pigeons are the largest pigeon species in the world and one of the most stunning.
Deep grey-blue in color, Vivian has red eyes and a unique spiky plumage sprouting from the top of her head.
“She’s curious and she can be adventurous,” said Stacy Rezner, senior bird keeper.
Vivian is part of a breeding program known as the Species Survival Plan, which keeps animals alive in captivity to maximize genetic diversity.
This is the first time the local aviary has participated in a loan program.
Vivian arrived slightly more than a month ago and has quickly become a crowd favourite at the popular tourist attraction.
“People love her. After all, you just don’t see pigeons that big,” said Rezner.
She has also attracted the attention of the 400-plus tropical birds that call the aviary home.
“When we first introduced her to the aviary, the other birds just stared at her. They kept their distance because she is so big, but everyone’s settled in nicely,” Rezner said.
One of three species of crowned pigeons, the Victoria crowned pigeon is native to the lowland forests of New Guinea.
The bird, a relative of the extinct dodo, is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources’ Red List of Threatened Species.
The species is categorized as vulnerable because its population is dwindling. Its natural habitat is quickly disappearing and they are relatively tame which makes them an easy target for hunters.
alangley@nfreview.com
ID- 276008 © 2006 , Osprey Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Niagara Falls Review acticles reprinted with permission by the authority of Joe Wallace, City Editor of the Niagara Falls Review.
Printed in the October 2006 Business News Update, by the City of Niagara Falls
Bird Kingdom, North America’s largest indoor free flying aviary
Renovations were completed this summer in the Birds of the Lost Kingdom’s Small Aviary where it was transformed into a free flying environment, just as their Main Aviary.
During the transition, a team of 10 Bird Kingdom Live Collections Staff monitored the more than 25 different species of rare and exotic birds from around the globe. All birds adjusted very well and are now enjoying their new habitat. Many of the birds, such as the endangered Gouldian Finches, are so small you could fit a dozen in your hand. Gouldian Finches have been declared endangered due to the fact that there are less than 2,500 of this species left in their native home of Australia.
New to the exhibit are African Weavers, which weave elaborate nests from grass and plant thatching.
All of the Small Aviary’s rock work, wall detailing, water features and plantings are created in house by the talented staff of the Niagara Falls Bird Kingdom. Due to the heavy wear on the plant life, the staff incorporate new plant life donated every 4-6 months from the University of Toronto Horticulture program.
The Niagara Falls Bird Kingdom opened in 2001 and has quickly established itself as a popular year-round destination experience. A three-time winner of Niagara’s prestigious, “Attraction of the Year”, Misty Award.
The family attraction is located at 5651 River Road, near the Rainbow Bridge. The building’s first tenant was the Spinney Corset Factory. In 1959, the one-time factory was converted into the Niagara Falls Museum which showcased unique exhibits until 1999. In 2000, the heritage building underwent a complete redesign to create a family, year-round, eco-tourism attraction. The Bird Kingdom is an climate controlled 46,000 square foot complex.
This Niagara Falls interactive attraction is for all ages from children to seniors and offers many educational workshops and classroom programs. Visitors can experience the wonder of the birds flight, hear their songs, observe their behaviours, walk the garden, or relax in the 125-year old Java House, a stunning hand carved House from the Island of Java in Indonesia. In addition to hundreds of free flying birds from around the world, the Main Aviary features a 40-foot waterfall, 35 foot tall palm trees, streams, and ponds. Bird Kingdom also features an Explorer’s Café and the award winning Macaw Market Gift Shop. The Nocturnal Zone, an ancient jungle ruin, comes alive at night with spooky creatures, such as bats, owls, bird eating spiders, snakes, frogs, and more!
The world’s largest, indoor, free-flying aviary is unique in North America and plays host to over 500 birds, representing over 70 species. The Bird Kingdom is wheelchair and stroller accessible, open to the public year-round for individuals or groups. Meeting room space is available for weddings/family/corporate/student events, seminars, or special events. www.birdkingdom.ca
Bird Kingdom Niagara Falls
Established: June 2001
Employees: 35
Investment: $15-million
Amenities: World’s largest indoor aviary; 400 free flying tropical birds; Three time winner – Attraction of The Year Award.
Location: 5651 River Road Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Contact: 905.356.8888 www.birdkingdom.ca
