With nearly fifty species represented, the Center’s collection is one of the largest and most diverse in the United States. We offer visitors an up-close view to bird flight demonstrations and unique insight into the lives and impressive adaptations of birds of prey from around the world including eagles, hawks, owls, falcons, kites and vultures.
We offer programs Thursday, Friday & Saturday mornings at 10:30 am, a staff guided tour at 1:30 pm and an Owls in Flight program at 2:00 pm.
** Please note: On dates with special events, the Center will close early – at 1:00pm. Upcoming early closure dates include: January, 18th, February 29th, April 18th and 19th, November 14th, and December 5th, 2024**
The Center gives visitors the opportunity to explore the interesting and important world of raptors through an outdoor program and flight demonstration. Through natural history discussion and observation of flight techniques and hunting styles, visitors come to a better understanding of these majestic creatures and the significant role they play as apex avian predators.
We currently offer programs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 10:30 am.
- Flight Demonstration at 10:30 am
- Staff guided tour at 1:30 pm
- Owls in Flight at 2:00 pm
The program and flight demonstration is often cited as the highlight of a visitor’s experience at the Center (this program usually lasts about one hour). Watch hawks, falcons, owls, eagles, kites, and vultures soar above the flying field. Seeing these birds perform their natural flying and hunting techniques provides a fascinating insight into their unique evolutionary adaptations. The natural behavior of raptors soaring, gliding and diving in close proximity to audiences young and old represent a most unique and memorable learning experience.
Although we do not offer mobility assistance or wheelchairs for guest use, our grounds are handicapped-accessible with level pathways consisting of a small pea gravel and are easily navigable. We also have benches located throughout the campus for those wanting to sit and enjoy a break or moment of natural beauty.
*Please note due to the nature of our center and for the safety of our resident birds, service dogs are not allowed on our campus without prior arrangements made through our administrative office. Additionally, for safety of our resident birds, pets of other kinds; fur, feathered or scaly, are not allowed on our campus.
Please reach out to info@thecenterforbirdsofprey.org to request a visit involving a service dog. Thank you for understanding.
Important Scheduling Notes
These programs will not be available during the following holiday/event closures –
- July 4, 4th of July
- November 28, Thanksgiving Day
Severe/Extreme Weather Policy
The Center for Birds of Prey (CBP) is committed to keeping all visitors, staff and birds safe in the event of inclement weather on our campus. As all of our programming is conducted outdoors, we must be prepared to respond in the event of impending foul and potentially dangerous weather to ensure this safety.
While we will often continue (or even begin) tours and flight demonstrations in light rain, we take the threat of lightning strikes seriously and will postpone or cancel tours and flight demonstrations under the following conditions.
- Lightning within 10 miles within the last 30 minutes
- Soaking, driving rain
- Heat index over 110F
We also consider extreme heat index as a potential safety concern. The combination of high temperature and high humidity that is common in the south can result in deadly heat index levels. For your safety, we will postpone or cancel a program if the heat index is above 110 degrees.
In the event of a postponement or cancellation due to weather, rain checks will be offered to all affected guests.
- $25 per adult, $17 per youth, children under the age of three are complimentary with a paying adult;
- See a Flight Demonstration with birds flown untethered just above the amphitheater;
- Enjoy a self-guided tour of our campus to see birds you might not have been introduced to during the flight demonstration including nearly 14 species of owls from around the world in the Countess Paolozzi Owl Wood;
- Limited discounts are available at the time of ticket purchase for senior citizens and AAA cardholders.
On select days throughout the year, the Center will narrow the focus of our morning programming to allow visitors to explore groups of birds in greater detail. From natural history and identification in flight to conservation status and human interaction, our flight demonstrations and guided tours will take a “deep dive” into specific groups of birds like owls, falcons, and vultures.
Have you ever wondered how falcons can withstand over 10 G’s of force during a stoop? Or how vultures are able to digest bacteria-laden meat without succumbing to infection? How many owl species are there in the world and how many might I hear in my yard? How do bird moms (and dads) manage the needs of their developing young? Come join us for one or all of these special program days to increase your bird expertise!
Tickets for these special focus programs are $25 per adult and $17 per youth. These are rain or shine events. If we are required to cancel any of these programs due to severe or dangerous weather, the rain date will be one week later than the scheduled date.
Special Focus Programs
$25 per adult, $17 per youth, under three complimentary
These programs take the place of our normally scheduled morning programs at 10:30 am:
- September 7 – International Vulture Awareness Day
- October 26 – The Mysterious Life of Owls
Use the button below to book tickets for these Special Focus experiences.
Your visit provides operational support for the Center’s educational, medical, conservation, and research initiatives. We hope that your experience here will inspire an appreciation for birds of prey and a genuine concern for the diminishing habitat upon which they—and we—depend. All proceeds from your admission go to support the Avian Conservation Center, a nonprofit 501 (c)3 organization.
