Feb

Innovative new Bird House opens at the Zoo March 13

From the prairie to the shore, extensive renovation of the historic Bird House has created a fascinating way to explore the world of birds native to North, Central and South American ecosystems.

Migratory birds play critical roles in pest control, pollination and seed dispersal for trees and plants as well as crops. Bilingual panels—in English and Spanish—tell the story of how migratory birds connect communities and contribute to healthy ecosystems across the Americas.

Entrance to the renovated Bird House at the National Zoo — Entrance to the newly renovated Bird House. 56 species are on view at the Bird House, with 16 more species represented on the outdoor Bird Plateau. (Courtesy the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)

As Zoo visitors “migrate” through the shores of the Delaware Bay, a lush prairie pothole and a tropical Bird Friendly coffee farm, free-flighted birds stride, paddle, tweet and fly all around them. These multi-sensory, immersive aviaries mimic natural ecosystems—places that are of critical importance to the annual life cycles of migratory birds and that boost human well-being. From this exhibit, visitors can learn seven simple actions to live bird friendly to protect native species in their own backyards. The Bird House opening celebration is made possible with the support of Boeing.

“Now more than ever, raising awareness about the plight of migratory birds is key to their survival,” said Brandie Smith, Ph.D., John and Adrienne Mars Director, NZCBI. “As visitors walk through our spectacular aviaries and see these beautiful birds up close, I want them to appreciate the awe-inspiring journeys these animals make every year and walk away with the desire and knowledge to protect birds and their shrinking habitats.”

Inside view of Delaware Aviary in new Bird House — A view of the Delaware Bay Aviary. 56 species on view at the new Bird House, with 16 more species represented on the outdoor Bird Plateau. (Courtesy the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)

Black and white duck with purple head — *Bufflehead duck in its Delaware Bay habitat. This duck represents one of 56 species on view at the new Bird House, with 16 more species represented on the outdoor Bird Plateau.*

Large horseshoe crab and small fish in — A horseshoe crab and mummichog fish in the Delaware Bay Aviary. These animals are among the 56 species on view at the new Bird House, with 16 more species represented on the outdoor Bird Plateau. (Courtesy the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)

Group of short-hilled sanderlings in beach-like habitat — Dowitcher Dunlin Sanderlings in the Delaware Shore Aviary. These birds are among the 56 species on view at the new Bird House, with 16 more species represented on the outdoor Bird Plateau. (Courtesy the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)

Upon reopening, more than 170 individual birds representing 56 species will be on view in the new Bird House and another 16 species in the surrounding outdoor exhibits on the bird plateau. In the first of three walk-through aviaries, visitors will learn about shorebird migration in the Delaware Bay. Along with birds like the red knot and ruddy turnstone, the aviary features horseshoe crabs, fish and invertebrates native to the Delaware Bay. Visitors will cross into the Prairie Pothole region of the northern Great Plains to view species of waterfowl and shorebirds—including ducks and black-necked stilts—while learning the importance of the wetlands. In the tropical Bird-Friendly Coffee Farm, visitors can see the migratory Baltimore oriole or wood thrush and a resident flock of barred parakeets. As they observe songbirds flitting among the coffee plants, visitors learn how agricultural sites can provide critical habitat for birds and other animals. The outside habitats on the plateau will feature charismatic favorites such as barred owls, standard bronze turkeys, sandhill cranes, whooping cranes and American flamingos, among others. Visitors can get to know the Bird House’s animals during daily keeper talks and animal encounters.

Inside view of the new Prairie Pothole Aviary — *A view of the Prairie Pothole Aviary. (Courtesy the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)*

Ducks in water feature with prairie background — Ruddy ducks in the Pothole Prairie Aviary. These birds are among the 56 species on view at the new Bird House, with 16 more species represented on the outdoor Bird Plateau. (Courtesy the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)

“Rather than wait and see what fate holds for migratory birds, our team is proactively studying their husbandry, nutritional and reproductive needs while they’re still common,” said Sara Hallager, curator of the Bird House. “Already, our team has had great success breeding several migratory species that breed in the United States, including indigo buntings, rose-breasted grosbeaks, Swainson’s thrush and wood thrush. As populations decline drastically in the wild, the possibility of bringing them into human care to save their species becomes more real. We can’t wait until numbers have dwindled to a few hundred or dozen individuals.”

Inside view of the Bird-Friendly Coffee Aviary — *A view of the Bird-Friendly Coffee Aviary (Courtesy the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)*

Small brown speckled bird perches on a branch — Wood thrush in its new habitat in the Bird-Friendly Coffee Farm exhibit. This Wood Thrush represents one of 56 species on view at the new Bird House, with 16 more species represented on the outdoor Bird Plateau. (Courtesy the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)

Baltimore Oriole with pronounced yellow breast in tree — Baltimore Oriole in its habitat on the Bird-Friendly Coffee farm. This bird represents one of 56 species on view at the new Bird House, with 16 more species represented on the outdoor Bird Plateau. (Courtesy the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)

Renovation amplifies the Zoo’s conservation mission

The Bird House closed for renovation Jan. 2, 2017. In keeping with NZCBI’s conservation mission, the renovated exhibit was built within the walls of the Zoo’s historic 1928 Bird House. More than 80 percent of the existing masonry walls were retained with the intention of reducing the building’s carbon footprint. The exhibit was designed to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standards. LEED certification will take place about six months after the exhibit opens. The building’s glass contains a ceramic frit pattern of horizontal lines, making it more visible to birds in an effort to prevent window collisions. The public opening of the Bird House March 13 marks the completion of this six-year, $69 million project.

“To fully appreciate the brand new Bird House experience, visitors should grab their binoculars, take a moment to observe our birds and reflect on the wonderous cycle of bird migration,” said Scott Sillett, head of NZCBI’s Migratory Bird Center. “When we spend a relaxing day at the beach, or enjoy food and coffee that was grown on a farm, we are benefiting from the same ecosystems on which birds live and depend. I hope visitors come away with an understanding of how our actions can impact wildlife and why the decision to live bird friendly is critical to our own future and wellbeing.”

Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center

The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center is the only scientific institution solely dedicated to studying migratory birds. Its scientists study what drives bird population size and how conservationists can use these insights to stop population declines. They are at the forefront of ornithological research, innovating holistic approaches and testing the latest tracking technologies to answer complex questions about seasonal interactions, land management and behavior.

Two cranes in their new habitat at the National Zoo — *Sandhill Cranes in their new outside habitat on the bird plateau. (Courtesy the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)*

Two turkeys, one with prominent wattle — *Standard Bronze Turkeys in their new habitat on the Bird Plateau. (Courtesy the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)*

Two barred owls in the renovated Bird House aviary — *Barred owls in their new habitat (Courtesy the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)*

As visitors approach the Bird House, they are greeted by the Plateau Gardens, a green space abundant with native trees, bushes and flowers. The promenade serves as a model for planting bird-friendly gardens, which offer food and shelter for birds, insects and other local wildlife. Native plant species at the Plateau Gardens include downy serviceberry trees, eastern redbud trees, red-twig dogwood trees, highbush blueberry bushes and purple coneflowers, among others.

Upon entering the Bird House, visitors will observe a towering mosaic arch decorated with parrots, toucans, songbirds and other tropical species. This artwork was originally part of the 1928 front entrance to the Bird House. Designed and fabricated by local artisan John Joseph Earley, the arch is made of polychrome concrete imbedded with glass and colored marbles. Using the same methods and materials, Earley designed and fabricated the historic pillar head (capital) that is on exhibit in the Plateau Gardens. This colorful capital—which was buried on Bird House grounds and uncovered during excavation—once flanked the Bird House’s entryway.

In the Bird Observatory room, visitors can watch Migratory Bird Center science in action and see how researchers use satellite tracking to learn where birds go and how the climate, native and introduced predators, and availability of insect prey cause bird populations to grow and decline. These studies teach scientists how human development changes ecosystems over time and affects birds’ ability to survive and thrive in their native habitats. In the Observatory, Migratory Bird Center researchers will demonstrate how they use bird banding to study the wild birds that live around the Zoo at 11 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Researchers will also host guided walks at the Bird House at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. These activities are free, open to the public and will take place weather permitting.

Concourse between exhibits with bird images on walls — *The flyaway concourse allows visitors to “migrate” between exhibitions. (Courtesy the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)*

As visitors make their way to the aviaries, they pass through the Flyway—an immersive experience where aluminum bird silhouettes are suspended from the ceiling in a murmuration formation, providing a sense of movement throughout the space. The walls of the Flyway feature larger-than-life stunning images of some of the birds visitors will meet in the aviaries, including the wood thrush, black-necked stilt, sanderling, canvasback and other native birds.

Upon exiting the aviaries, visitors can flock to the Roost store for commemorative bird-themed merchandise. The Roost offers a variety of souvenirs, from traditional toys, apparel, books and jewelry to items for living a bird-friendly life—including Bird Friendly coffee and cocoa, bird houses and feeders, binoculars, window decals and more. The Smithsonian invites bird fans to shop online for a selection of limited-edition merchandise commemorating the Bird House’s grand reopening. Products featuring animals that visitors can see in the new exhibit—including indigo buntings, American avocets, rose-breasted grosbeaks and more—will be available for purchase beginning March 13 for a limited time. Proceeds directly support the Smithsonian and NZCBI’s animal care and conservation programs.

Passes are required for entrance

In order to manage capacity as the birds acclimate to visitors, free timed-entry passes will be required to enter the new Bird House for the first several months. Same-day passes will be available on site at the Zoo. Visitors may use their mobile device to scan a QR code located on signs throughout Zoo grounds or obtain printed passes in the Visitor Center. Smithsonian staff have a special opportunity to see the Bird House on March 2, before its public opening.